2019

April 2019 – Latest issue

Jazz up your wardrobe with our cover design – a jacket and sleeveless gilet to fit sizes from 71 to 117 cm, 28 to 46 inch bust. We’ve 13 designs and we also include instructions for converting all our patterns for knitting on standard gauge machine​s​. Iris Rowe introduces a new Easter brood to the hen house in the Toy Box, Sally-Ann Carroll keeps us and our knits in line for spring and summer and Bill King uses a great technique to create some fabulous fabrics with a basic card. Rachel Mayer is back to do some shape-shifting in DesignaKnit and we Look At Life through Joan Lafferty’s eyes. . We always ​include news, books and fashion and we’ve a special reader discount on new craft books from Search Press.

April 2019 – Dear Readers

Dear Readers

If you live within travelling distance of Nottingham, do join us at West Park Leisure Centre in Wilsthorpe Road, Long Eaton NG10 4AA. This year our show is on Sunday 14th April and Guest Speakers are Sue Booth at 11.30 am, Erica Thomson at 2.00 pm The lectures cost an extra £1 each, numbers are limited so please book in advance and I look forward to seeing all those who can join us.

As we put the finishing touches to our Nottingham Show, I need to let you know that this will be the last time we’ll see Wendy Piper with her Knits ‘n’ Bits. After enjoying just one grandchild for many years, two more popped along a short while ago. Both mums and babies are now well, but there was a huge scare for the family when one baby almost didn’t survive. We all know that Wendy has had her own health problems over the years and she’s absolutely fine, but now wants to spend as much time as possible with her family. She’s talked it over with her husband and they’ve decided to cease trading. To this end, she’s already closed down most of her business and no longer has a business card machine or bank account. I’ve asked her to come to Nottingham to say bye-bye to us and she’s agreed. She’ll bring remaining stock and if you’d like to take advantage of huge discounts and bargains one last time, you’ll have to come along to the show with cash.

I’ve had news from the Scottish Machine Knitters that their Spring Workshop takes place at the Parklands Centre, Alva FK12 5BG on 13th April 2019 from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Demonstrations run throughout the day and they’ll have a special area set aside for beginners. Tea and coffee will be available, but please bring your own packed lunch. Tickets on the door cost £5 for members, £8 for non-members and you can find out more if you visit www.scottishmachineknitters.org.uk

Life has taken one or two surprising turns recently, as I quietly celebrate publishing the magazine for 33 years. As you read this, you must share the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve played your own individual part in keeping the magazine and our craft alive. At times it’s not been an easy journey for me, but between us we’ve held together the craft we love. My very sincere thanks to you all, for your enduring help and support over the years.

 

NEXT ISSUE

May 2019

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 4th April

On sale Thursday 11th April

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy now.

April 2019 – Bundle details

This is April 2019 and our current issue.

New subscription If you chose a new subscription, it will start with the May 2019 magazine – to be mailed out to subscribers on Thursday 4th April.

Subscription bundle If you chose a subscription bundle, it will start with our current April 2019 magazine and we’ll send you a copy straight away. Your magazine will then be mailed direct from the printer on the first Thursday of each month and the May 2019 issue goes out to subscribers on Thursday 4th April.

Nottingham Knitting Show 2020 is on Sunday 5th April

If you can travel to Nottingham, do please come along to the West Park Leisure Centre in Wilsthorpe Road, Long Eaton NG10 4AA. This year our show is on Sunday 5th April. The centre is about a mile and a half from Junction 25 on the M1. When you come off the motorway, take the exit to Long Eaton onto Bostock’s Lane. After about half a mile, at the junction with Longmoor Road, turn right onto the B6002. The road bears left and becomes Petersham Road. Continue along the B6002 into Wilsthorpe Road and the Leisure Centre is along this road on the left.

We have lectures which we hold upstairs, but there are stairs and a lift, so access is easy for everyone. A new cafe has been built downstairs in the Leisure Centre, with an excellent choice of hot and cold snacks and drinks. For those who like to bring a packed lunch, we’ll make tables and chairs available in the hall so there’s sufficient seating for everyone.

Happily, most of our exhibitors join us year after year and our 2020 show includes Andee Knits and Andrea brings her shop to the show. She had machines and accessories, books and patterns, spares and yarn plus DesignaKnit. Arnold Bennett (the Button Man) has the most amazing buttons at rock-bottom prices. Sue Booth is known to everyone in machine knitting for her gorgeous designs and club talks. She always has lots of patterns and rails of her beautifully knitted designs. Sue is one of our Guest Speakers this year, talking

B Hague & Co need no introduction to machine knitters for their linking machines, winders and twisters, knitting accessories and much more. Bill King had his machine and lots of samples to show you what to do and how to do many of his Masterclass techniques. Rob Fountain had used machines and accessories plus spares, bits and bobs. Jason and David Hampson bring The Wool Cabin to the show with not-to-be-missed bargains on packs of quality yarns at knock-down prices.

You’ve seen their name in the magazine, so come and meet Yarn2Cone for the first time at the show. Their beautiful yarns are suitable for knitting, weaving and rag-rugging. They’ll bring a selection of hanks and cones of their current yarns and we’ve also asked them to bring some of their long socks. Made from 90% British wool and 10% nylon, they come in various colours and sizes from 4-7 and 8-12, so are perfect for inside wellies!

Another newcomer and one of our Guest Speakers is Claire Newberry, who is a knitwear designer and DesignaKnit expert. It will be Claire’s first visit and she’ll bring her laptop, answer every question you may have on DesignaKnit. She lectures, runs a knitting school and teaches everyone from beginners to experts. She’ll have her laptop and answer any questions you may have. Hazel Green lives in the area and is well-known for her love of the craft and many contributions to the GMK. Her diverse display includes superb samples of all things knitted and worked by hand with yarn and it was much appreciated at last-year’s show. Pam Wigglesworth was a tutor at Metropolitan before it closed last September. She’s now running her own courses and she’ll be demonstrating the LK-150.

As we’re in Nottingham, we always welcome the Framework Knitters Museum as well as the Spinners, Weavers and Dyers. Patricia and friends set up their spinning wheels and have a warm smile and welcome, as we chat whilst they spin. Mapperley Knit & Natter Club play an even bigger part this year. As our local branch of the Knitting & Crochet Guild, Mapperley will fly the flag both for the club and the Guild. Their displays are wonderful and they demonstrate on a machine throughout the day, surrounded by lovely examples of members’ work. Last, but by no means least, Nick Traylen is often the first port of call for visitors collecting their  pre-ordered yarn and accessories from Uppingham Yarns. No-one can walk past his huge selection of coned and balled yarn without finding something new for their stash, including Editor Anne! She’ll be there with Machine Knitting Monthly current magazines, back issues, binders and Anjo Patterns.

Nina Miklin will launch a new design at this year’s show. It’s knitted in Maestro and Cesari, lovely blends of Cashmere and Merino Wool. The design needs five colours and Nina is making special yarn kits, to include the 400 grams of yarn needed. For a limited period and at the show, there’s a saving of £27 on the kit! There are two patterns, both with detailed step-by-step instructions. Pattern 1 (£4.50) uses an intarsia carriage and includes detailed, perfect finishing. Pattern 2 (£7.50) is knitted without an intarsia carriage. Lots of photos show how to knit, finish and join panels perfectly. Nina’s recent Book No.4 in the Knit To Finish series is available as PDF email attachment at £14.50. For those with no computer, she’ll have a few printed copies for £18.50 along with some special bargains for kits and reduced end of dye-lot colours.

Watch this space as we update the details until the show.

March 2019 – Latest issue

Our cover design is an easy top to fit a large size range, quickly knitted in King Cole Opium on chunky machines. We also include instructions for converting all our patterns for knitting on standard gauge machine​s​. We’ve ten designs, so take a look at the Contents list for more details. Iris Rowe adds a triceratops to last month’s dinosaur in the Toy Box, Sally-Ann Carroll helps us to show our knits a taste of summer and Bill King reminds us about an enormous time-saver for even small pieces of fabric. Rachel Mayer returns to help DesignaKnit users work with Original Pattern Drafting and we shine the spotlight on Kingston student Edie Ashley and her design tribute to her grandmother Laura Ashley. We always ​include news, books and fashion and we’ve a special reader discount on a fabulous new book packed with information a machine or hand knitter would ever want or need.

March 2019 – Dear Readers

Dear Readers

It’s been a sad month, as I’ve had to say goodbye to two very close friends. The first is Sue Pritchard, who has been one of our Knitting Buddies and an MKM contributor for more years than I can remember. Sue has battled for such a long time with cancer and it’s brought huge sadness to those who knew her to learn that her long-lasting fight has finally come to an end. My second loss may well come as a shock to those who are current or past members of the Guild of Machine Knitters and it’s the sad passing of Diane Leverton. We were fellow Directors of the Guild and many saw her as recently as the AGM last year, after which she retired as Secretary and Clubs Co-ordinator. Diane hadn’t been in the best of health for a number of years but, like Sue, she fought serious health difficulties with a huge amount of determination and courage. Both Sue and Diane had much to fill their lives and willingly passed on their knowledge and skills for the benefit of us all. I’m sure you’ll join me in sending our heartfelt condolences to all their surviving family members and many close friends.

Last month I promised you an update on a small light which Brenda and Doug Bristow found on their travels. It’s a drum around four inches tall, about an inch across and the 15 tiny LED lights are in a block on a flexible four-inch long stem, which twists and turns in any direction. It stands on any magnetic base, including a knitting machine needlebed, to give masses of illumination. I haven’t used it continuously, but it’s still running on the three triple A batteries supplied. If your sight isn’t as good as it used to be and for super-clear illumination in any dark spots, give Brenda a call now at Heatherwood on 01293-851339.

Finally, it’s time to invite you to take part in our annual lucky dip for a free ticket for the Nottingham Show. It’s at West Park Leisure Centre in Wilsthorpe Road, Long Eaton NG10 4AA on Sunday 14th April and details are on Page 41. Send an sae about 12 x 17 cm (5 x 7 in) marked Nottingham in the top left hand corner to Machine Knitting Monthly, PO Box 1479, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 8YX. For this show to survive we need the footfall through the doors, so it’s even more important to make the extra effort to join us this year.

Do please join me next month, as every one of us can take personal pride in celebrating the 33rd birthday of MKM. It’s a huge achievement, for which we should all be immensely proud.

NEXT ISSUE

April 2019 – our 33rd birthday issue

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 7th March

On sale Thursday 14th March

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy now

 

March 2019 – Bundle details

This is March 2019 and our current issue.

New subscription If you chose a new subscription, it will start with the April 2019 magazine – to be mailed out to subscribers on Thursday 7th March.

Subscription bundle If you chose a subscription bundle, it will start with our current March magazine and we’ll send you a copy straight away. Your magazine will then be mailed direct from the printer on the first Thursday of each month and the April 2019 issue goes out to subscribers on Thursday 7th March.

Get into gear!

Dear Readers

It’s incredible to think that we’re at the start of another new year and it’s time to get into gear again for our two shows. This year they swap places so first we return to West Park Leisure Centre in Wilsthorpe Road, Long Eaton NG10 4AA for the Nottingham Machine Knitting Show on Sunday 14th April. Following your overwhelming endorsement, our Bournemouth Show will return to last year’s popular autumn slot and take place on Saturday 5th October at Bournemouth School for Girls in Castle Gate Close, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth BH8 9UJ. Please make diary dates to join us and help me to keep the flag flying for machine knitting.

I now have an apology to make to all our readers patiently waiting for the next part of Rachel Mayer’s DesignaKnit series. She previously showed us how to make some changes to the shape and size of a garment, such as shortening sleeves and adding a bit of ease, but she also explained that there are limits. Next month she’ll show us how to make fundamental changes in Original Pattern Drafting, such as knitting a waterfall front. As before we’ll split it over two months, so the pictures are large and clear for you to follow.

Do turn to Newsline this month to read about some small lights that Brenda and Doug Bristow found on their recent travels. I reckon they’ll make a huge difference to life in general for many of us. Brenda still teaches at Heathercraft and recently was giving a lesson when, to put it politely, she ‘made a bit of a mess’ trying to pick up some stitches. Like many of us, her eyesight isn’t as sharp as it used to be, so she was amazed to find this small light with potentially hundreds of uses. It’s around five inches tall and about an inch across and it stands on any magnetic base, including a knitting machine needlebed. The bulb has 15 tiny LED lights to give masses of illumination where we need it most. Doug has one in his workroom when he’s repairing machines and another in the garage when he’s messing about with the car. One has found its way into Brenda’s kitchen and there’s another by the side of the bed for reading at night. As the base is quite small Brenda stands it on something such as a larger metal jam jar lid, to give a bit more support when used on a table or anywhere without a magnetic surface. To test it, Brenda said they’d had about seven or eight hours continuous use from one set of three decent-quality triple A batteries. However, they switched to rechargeable batteries a long time ago and they’re ideal. I’m intrigued and one is already on its way to me, so I’ll let you know how I get on with it next month. Until then, let’s look forward to a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead for us all.

NEXT ISSUE

March 2019

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 7th February

On sale Thursday 14th February

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy now!

 

Wool Market for Patron Saint of wool-combers

A Wool Market is being held at Bradford Industrial Museum to celebrate the patron saint of wool-combers, Bishop Blaise and the history of wool in Bradford. The event, which takes place at the Bradford Council-run museum on the feast day of St Blaise, Sunday 3rd February, will have stalls selling woollen yarns, textiles and hand looms, as well as fun family activities including spinning and weaving demonstrations. Delicious food will also be on offer and there will be a pop up pub in the museum which will have beer from a local Bradford brewery. Entertainment will be provided by a choir and brass band, there will even be alpacas.

Stalls at the event, which takes place from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, will include local companies selling all manner of knitting gifts. This will include hand-dyed British wool, fibres and equipment for felt making and spinning, luxury and lace-weight yarns, haberdashery, knitting patterns and accessories and products made from alpaca wool. All of this will be alongside the museum’s fantastic displays that tell the story of Bradford’s Industrial past. The free event is being organised by Bradford Industrial Museum in conjunction with Glyn Watkins and sponsorship from Napoleon’s Casino and Salamander Brewery.

Bishop Blaise is the patron saint of wool-combers. He was a physician and bishop in Sebastea, Armenia and was believed to have lived around the end of the 3rd or early 4th century. People went to him for cures of both spiritual and bodily ailments and he was reported to have healed animals. He was reported to have been tortured by being flayed using pins from a wool-comb and beheaded because he refused to renounce his faith.

Bradford was once known as Worstedopolis due to the number of mills and wool processing businesses including wool-combers that operated in the district and up until 1825 the wool-combers of the district would hold a parade through the city to celebrate their patron saint. It was a four day festival where one of the wool-combers would dress as Bishop Blaise and parade through the town.

Maggie Pedley, Libraries, Museums and Galleries Manager at Bradford Council, said: “Though the mill where the Industrial Museum is based was originally built as a small worsted spinning mill, this is our first wool market. We have two ‘Bishop Blaise’ coats that were worn in the parades in our collection. One from Bradford and one from Keighley, as well as some other memorabilia from these parades and we will be putting some of this on display as part of the event. I would encourage anyone with an interest in Bradford’s woollen history to visit the museum for this event.” For more information visit www.bradfordmuseums.org