2018

Dear Readers

When I wrote my letter last month, little did I think that we’d still be in the grip of what we call a heatwave and the rest of the world calls summer. It’s been too hot to even potter in the garden, so spare a thought for me juggling press invitations to view this year’s selections for Christmas!

As Susan Guagliumi said herself, her new book has been the hardest to write – but it’s finished and a copy of Open Spaces: Machine Knit Eyelets, Ladders and Slits arrived recently. I’ve often said that if I was to be cast away on a desert island, the book I’d take with me would be Susan’s Hand Manipulated Stitches. Now I have to revise my plans, as Open Spaces has moved to top of the list, to give me something new to try each day until the rescue boat arrives. It’s been a long time coming but merits huge congratulations. It’s the best book published by a machine knitter for all machine knitters, probably since More Hand Manipulated Stitches. You can read about it on Page 6 and if you enjoy sitting in front of your machine and ‘messing about’ to discover some amazing machine-knitted fabrics, make it top of your Christmas wish list.

My other news this month is the relocation of Silver Reed to larger premises. They’ve only moved down the road to the next village, but needed the extra space. The excellent news for all of us in machine knitting is that their business continues to grow. Their new address is a bit of a mouthful and in full it’s the John White Business Centre, Atlanta House, Midland Road, Higham Ferrers, Rushden, Northamptonshire NN10 8DN. The phone number remains the same and is 01933-311888. There’s parking at the rear of the building and a nice bright showroom, but much larger warehouse. We’ve known for a while that the SK-830 fine gauge electronic machine was to be discontinued and it’s now no longer in stock. However, we still have the SK-155 chunky, the LK-150 mid gauge, the SK-280 standard gauge punchcard machine I use and the SK-840 electronic standard gauge in full production.

One thing to mention is a current offer including UK mail order, plus overseas with shipping at cost. They’ve hugely discounted their stocks of Forsell yarns with a 50% reduction on all cones. There’s 4-ply hand-wash Pure Wool and Slalom Aran plus 2, 3 and 4-ply Superwash Wool and Superwash DK. So, visit www.silverviscount.co.uk to see all the shades and prices. Until next month, try to stay cool!

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October 2018

Subscription copies sent out

Thursday 6th September

On sale Thursday 13th September

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Dear Readers

The August issue went to the printer at the end of June and it was surely been one of the hottest months for years. Many of us have giggled on the phone that we’re spending far more time in the garden than knitting, though some have shown willing by finding a shady spot to read MKM or do a bit of crochet. It’s one reason why some new kits from the Wool Couture company caught my eye. It may seem a bit silly to tell you about cosy slippers in the middle of summer. However, with everything you need in the kit including a bamboo hook, which is great for crocheting in the heat, we could easily get ahead of the game. They’d make a gorgeous gift for young or old, there’s a great colour choice and full details are in Newsline. If the heat continues, I may also surprise myself by tackling some macramé to make a new deckchair cover!

If you haven’t been in the garden, it seems you’ve been shunting things around to free up space in a conservatory, where many of you have your machine set up. It’s a while since I mentioned them, so let me give you details of TWAM, short for Tools With A Mission. It’s a Christian charity which collects unwanted tools then refurbishes them, sorts them into trade kits and sends them across the world. They send about 20 containers filled with over 300 tonnes of tools every year to support local people in their own community. Dignity comes through having work and providing for yourself and your family, so lives can be transformed if folk are given tools, equipment and training. Of special interest TWAM will take manual, electric and treadle sewing machines, knitting machines including yarn and needles, lots of haberdashery such as needles, cottons, large material pieces or rolls of fabric plus buttons and zips. They take tools for use by agricultural workers, builders, carpenters, motor mechanics, electricians and plumbers, as well as power tools and items from a workshop. Children’s educational books are also passed on. They have requests for big items such as welding machines, generators, compressors and industrial sewing machines so if you’ve any of these or similar items, do get in touch and ask if they can use them. The list is comprehensive so visit the website to find your nearest volunteer collector or refurbishment centre. Here are their contact details.

Tools with a Mission, 2 Bailey Close, Hadleigh Road Industrial Estate, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 0UD.

Tel 01473-210220 (Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 2.00 pm)

Website www.twam.uk

Instead of a trip to the tip, make TWAM your first port of call and help others to help themselves. Until next time, enjoy the sun.

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September 2018

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 2nd August

On sale Thursday 9th August

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy now.