Anne

March 2019 – Dear Readers

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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

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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.

March 2019 – Contents

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Here’s a detailed list of the Contents in our March 2019 issue.

Patterns

All our patterns now give details for knitting on standard gauge machines.

16 Coffee ‘n’ Cream MKM pattern for chunky machines

19 On The Border Two Carl Boyd designs for standard gauge machines

22 In Two Parts MKM pattern for the Silver Reed LK-150 and all machines

28 Country Boy Anne Baker Karabee Design for standard gauge machines

32 Under The Hood Two MKM patterns for Silver Reed LK-150 and all machines

38 Dinosaur Park Iris Rowe toy pattern for all machines

 

Features

10 Clubline We’ve news from home and abroad this time and some diary dates of special interest

12 Dear Anne Take note of our letters page this month, because readers have passed on invaluable help and advice

14 Style File It’s the start of the new season, time to show your knits a taste of summer and your knitted wardrobe is in for a treat says Sally-Ann Carroll

47 DesignaKnit Rachel Mayer returns to help us work with Original Pattern Drafting in this fabulous software

52 Spotlight On… Edie Ashley and her design tribute to her grandmother, Laura Ashley

53 Look At Life Joan Lafferty isn’t suggesting spring cleaning, because we’re certain you won’t want her to remind you!

56 Masterclass Bill King reminds us about an enormous time saver for even small pieces of fabric

 

Regulars

4 Subscriptions Delivered to your door each month

6 Newsline Our monthly look at people and places, patterns and new yarns plus lots of ideas for inspiration

8 Book Review This month’s book is packed with every bit of information a machine or hand knitter would ever wish to find – and there’s a reader offer, too!

27 Back Issues Every copy is a vintage so complete your collection or take a lucky dip

31 Binders Keep all your copies safe this year with the tidy answer that looks good on your bookshelf

37 Clubs Directory Form Spread the word, write in and get your club noticed

41 Machine Knitting LIVE! It’s time to order tickets and make a diary date for our Nottingham and Bournemouth shows this year

44 Mini Mart We’ve re-stocked our mail order shop this month, so look out for bargains

45 Knitting Buddies Readers’ help just when you need it

58 Clubs Directory List The latest details and updates to find your nearest knitting club

60 Market Place Browse around in the comfort of your own home

61 Coming Next Month Reserve next month’s issue now

62 Pattern Information Lots of practical help, abbreviations and easy pattern conversion

 

NEXT ISSUE

April 2019

Subscription copies sent out

Thursday 7th March

On sale

Thursday 14th March

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy now

Bournemouth Show 2019

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We’re delighted to let you all know that Saturday 5th October 2019 is confirmed as the new date for the show. 

The show takes place on Saturday 5th October from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm at Bournemouth School for Girls in Castle Gate Close, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, Dorset BH8 9UJ. Tickets are available and cost £5 in advance or £6 on the door. The school refectory opens and staff provide hot and cold refreshments throughout the day.

We’ll have a Guest Speaker at around 11.00 am and present a fashion show in the afternoon around 2.00 pm. Last year’s exhibitors included Andee Knits, Anne Croucher and the Knit Clinic, B Hague & Co, Bill King, Carbery MKC, David Hampson from The Wool Cabin, Elaine Cater, Fiona Morris, Fleet MKC, Guild of Machine Knitters, Knits ‘n’ Bits from Wendy Piper, Machine Knitting Monthly also with Anjo Designs, Nina Miklin, Ringwood MKC, Rob Fountain and Uppingham Yarns. Watch this space as we update the details until the show.

Get into gear!

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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!

 

February 2019 Contents

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Here’s a detailed list of the Contents in our February 2019 issue.

Contents

Patterns

All our patterns now give details for knitting on standard gauge machines.

16 Black Magic MKM pattern for the Silver Reed LK-150 and all machines

20 Make Waves MKM pattern for standard gauge machines

22 Warm As Toast Two MKM patterns for chunky machines

28 Colour Patch Two MKM patterns for the Silver Reed LK-150 and all machines

32 Two Tone Two MKM patterns for chunky machines

38 In The Pink Anne Baker Karabee Design for standard gauge machines

42 Dinosaur Park Iris Rowe toy pattern for all machines

 

Features

10 Clubline We’ve diary dates, a new venue and lots of club news this month

12 Dear Anne Reader Susan Sugden takes us from her mistake to an original design, we help out with a casting off technique and a reader needs help with a serious problem on her Brother machine

14 Style File At this time of year, it can often be difficult to get inspiration in the shops, so check out Sally-Ann Carroll’s fashion round up to keep you all square

47 Techniques Find out how to use a garter bar for some clever borders, trims and ideas in the final part of our series

50 Slice Of Life Fran McCarthy goes round in circles, as she transfers her tried and tested hand knitting to the machine

52 Picture Parade Jo Newton has just finished a commission for a much-loved French Bulldog

56 Masterclass Bill King combines one of his favourite tuck patterns with a bit of stitch transfer to knit some fantastic fabric

 

Regulars

4 Subscriptions Delivered to your door each month

6 Newsline Our monthly look at people and places, patterns and new yarns plus lots of ideas for inspiration

8 Book Review Let’s settle down with a good read and our selection has some amazing stories and savings this time

19 Binders Keep all your copies safe this year with the tidy answer that looks good on your bookshelf

41 Back Issues Every copy is a vintage so complete your collection or take a lucky dip

44 Mini Mart We’ve re-stocked our mail order shop this month, so look out for bargains

45 Knitting Buddies Readers’ help just when you need it

51 Clubs Directory Form Spread the word, write in and get your club noticed

55 Machine Knitting LIVE! It’s time to plan, as we announce the dates of Nottingham and Bournemouth 2019

58 Clubs Directory List The latest details and updates to find your nearest knitting club

60 Market Place Browse around in the comfort of your own home

61 Coming Next Month Reserve next month’s issue now

62 Pattern Information Lots of practical help, abbreviations and easy pattern conversion

 

NEXT ISSUE

March 2019

Subscription copies sent out

Thursday 7th February

On sale

Thursday 14th February

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy now

Nottingham Knitting Show 2019

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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 14th 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. We’ll have hot and cold snacks and drinks available and last year’s excellent caterers will look after us again.

Last year’s exhibitors included Andee Knits, Arnold Bennett – the button man, Sue Booth, Clair Crowston, B Hague & Co, Bill King, David and Jason Hampson from The Wool Cabin, Elaine Cater, the Framework Knitters Museum, the Guild of Machine Knitters, Knits ‘n’ Bits from Wendy Piper, Machine Knitting Monthly also with Anjo Designs, Mapperley Knit & Natter Club with demonstrations and displays, Marianne Henio, Nina Miklin, Nottinghamshire Spinners, Weavers & Dyers, Rob Fountain, Erica Thomson and Uppingham Yarns. Watch this space as we update the details until the show.

Wool Market for Patron Saint of wool-combers

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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

New Andee Knits shop opens

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The new Go-To

Andrea is currently setting up her new Andee Knits shop at Unit 4 Wye Avenue, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 5DF, next door to Costcutter. Opening times are 10.00 am to 3.00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The shop is closed on Wednesday and at the weekend. One thing you might like to remember is that Andee Knits offers gift vouchers in any amount for a birthday, or a simple gift. What could be nicer for the machine knitter who has everything! Call Andrea now for more information on 01278-802066 or visit the website at www.machine-knitting.co.uk

January 2019 Contents

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Here’s a detailed list of the Contents in our January 2019 issue.

Contents

Patterns

All our patterns now give details for knitting on standard gauge machines.

16 Party Girls Two MKM patterns for the Silver Reed LK-150 and all machines

20 Just The Jacket Two MKM patterns for chunky and all machines

26 Snuggie Tails Two Anne Baker multi-size designs for chunky machines

31 Slip Knot MKM pattern for the Silver Reed LK-150 and all machines

33 Snug As A Bug MKM pattern for chunky and all machines

36 Full Circle MKM pattern for chunky and all machines

42 Meerkat Mischief Two MKM toy patterns for all machines

 

Features

10 Clubline We’ve a great idea for charity knitting this month and a request for help

12 Dear Anne We’ve wedding bells and lots of feedback from our autumn Bournemouth Show

14 Style File If you and your knits are bored with the cold winter days, Sally-Ann Carroll has a few ideas to give your knitted wardrobe a lift

51 Over To You Our exceptional letter is from a reader who managed to overcome some huge hurdles in her life and she’s now a happy machine knitter

53 Techniques Find out how to use a garter bar for decreasing and turning work in Part 2 of our new series

56 Masterclass This month Bill King looks at the rack and release technique and reminds us that we get a lot for our money with this very useful tool

 

Regulars

4 Subscriptions Delivered to your door each month

6 Newsline Our monthly look at people and places, patterns and new yarns plus lots of ideas for inspiration

8 Book Review We’ve two new books, from Alison Dupernex and Fiona Morris, with a 20% discount for MKM readers

35 Clubs Directory Form Spread the word, write in and get your club noticed

41 Binders Keep your copies safe with the tidy answer that looks good on your bookshelf

47 Back Issues Every copy is a vintage so complete your collection or take a lucky dip

48 Mini Mart We’ve re-stocked our mail order shop this month, so look out for bargains

49 Knitting Buddies Readers’ help just when you need it

55 Machine Knitting LIVE! It’s time to plan, as we announce the dates of Nottingham and Bournemouth 2019

58 Clubs Directory List The latest details and updates to find your nearest knitting club

60 Market Place Browse around in the comfort of your own home

61 Coming Next Month Reserve next month’s issue now

62 Pattern Information Lots of practical help, abbreviations and easy pattern conversion

 

NEXT ISSUE

February 2019

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 3rd January

On sale Thursday 10th January

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy now or order a subscription from us