Dear Readers

Dear Readers

We always go to press very early with this issue, so I usually mention things that might slip through the net. Two stalwart club leaders have handed over the baton this month and the first is Marian Timmins. She’s been a rock for machine knitting at Purl Drops MKC in Peterborough. After thirty years and due to poor health, she’s resigned as Club Chair. Hopefully she’ll be able to get along to an occasional meeting and I send Marian and the club my very best wishes. It’s now in the safe hands of Melanie O’Brien and her details are in Clubs Directory on Page 58. Melton Mowbray MKC is also saying goodbye to Karen Evans, as she relocates to Essex. Karen would like me to pass on her thanks to the club, for all the help and support she’s received whilst running it. Pat Jones has taken over and we’ve updated the club’s contact details on Page 58. Many of our clubs are doing really well right now. After the heroic efforts of Lichfield MKC last month, you’ll see on Page 10 that members of Rumney MKC in Cardiff pulled out all the stops for their recent challenge. Thanks for sending everything Chris and it’s so heartening that some members found their inspiration in the magazine.

Two other features this month have been constantly requested and the club members asking for the old pattern in Dear Anne had a discussion about it. They agreed the best place for small pattern requests was on our ‘new look’ letters page. They felt that using it as one of the main patterns isn’t fair to new readers, but it’s also not the right thing to have one copy and photocopy it many times. Also, they agreed the up-side is that it may be something useful for other readers. So this month, the flat-pack slippers and Nancy’s balaclava are on Page 13 and the so often requested dog coats are in Stash Box on Page 46.

I’ve to make sure this magazine goes out at the start of January. So, all that now remains is to send you my very best wishes and hopes for a happy, a healthy and a prosperous year ahead.

NEXT ISSUE March 2026

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 5th February

On sale Thursday 12th February

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Dear Readers

As you’ll read in Newsline, Game of Wool on Channel 4 is shining a well-deserved spotlight on knitting. I’m very happy to share that King Cole yarns are featured throughout the series and 22 ranges have been used so far. When I spotted Merino Blend 4-ply cones in the set design, I foolishly hoped an LK-150 might make an appearance… but my fingers are still crossed. Whether you’re watching or switching channels, one thing is certain. Game of Wool has brought knitting centre stage on national television. They may be our hand-knitting cousins, but let’s all support the show, so there will be a second series… next time with machine knitters. Imagine what we could achieve in 12 hours!

Imagine also scaling down the plans of a house currently under construction and knitting a model of it. It’s an amazing project recently undertaken by members of Lichfield MKC and their story is in Spotlight on Page 48. I’m grateful to Chairman Lidia for passing on the story and to Chris for sharing all her photos.

At this time of the year, many of us reflect on the recent past and look forward to the Spring. I do wish you all a very happy New Year, which is filled with good health and contentment throughout 2026 – our 40th birthday year! Until next month, my compliments of the season to you all.

NEXT ISSUE February 2026

Subscription copies sent out Friday 2nd January as the first is New Year’s Day

On sale Thursday 9th January

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Dear Readers

This month I usually remind you that we need to turn our attention to the kitchen in the not-too-distant future, but there’s still time for some festive knitting. This issue is always hard to plan because many of you have read the magazine for years, some have come back after a long break whilst others are very new to machine knitting. For that reason I’ve included a mix of new ideas and old favourites, hoping some of the designs will hit the spot for you.

Look beyond the actual design this month and you’ll find lots of ideas. For instance, Sleigh Ride’s Fair Isle pattern on Page 18 could easily be used for Christmas stockings or a sack, for a colourful knee rug or a scarf. If you’d like a larger size, substitute the pattern for any other Fair Isle sweater, as it’s a standard 4-ply tension. Use the bright stripes of Colour Wheel for a stocking stitch design on any machine. Mix and match Teddy Boy’s punchcard designs and try out your favourite cable from Bill King’s book on the front of Cover Slip.

In Dear Anne, June asks if one Bill’s Fisherman’s Catch patterns from last month would work for a scarf or cowl and this reminded me of a recent conversation I had with Norman Whitfield. He’s no stranger to our pages and, for years, he’s knitted some amazing things on his Passap. Right now he’s busy using up as much of his stash as possible, knitting full needle rib scarves. He takes them along to his local Food Bank, quietly hands them over and they’re tucked under the counter. When someone comes in looking especially cold, a member of staff asks if a scarf would help to keep them a bit warmer. Each scarf is received with much gratitude. Norman makes them extra-long, so they can be wrapped once or twice round the neck and I think it’s a lovely idea to spread some kindness and goodwill. For a wonderful heart-warming story, please also read Brian’s letter on Page 12.

One tradition I keep on these pages each December issue is to send you very best wishes for a happy Christmas, from everyone who helps to bring the magazine to you each month. As winter’s cold starts to bite, keep well and stay safe all of you, but most of all… knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE January 2026

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 4th December

On sale Thursday 11th December

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Dear Readers

Autumn is a busy time of year, as we settle down to some serious knitting. With perfect timing King Cole, Nina Miklin, Uppingham and Yeoman remind us to reach for some wool this month. By now we know that Pure Merino is exceptionally soft and we’ll all need to keep warm in the coming months. As you read through the magazine, we’ve included contact details so do check it out.

You’ll notice I’ve included a message from HMRC on Page 8 and it’s not a scam. All those years ago, lots of us in the UK were paid child allowance and we took a break from fulltime employment to look after our children. It seems a mistake was made with many of our National Insurance (NI) records and they’re trying to put things right. Home Responsibilities Protection(HRP) was automatically applied to the NI records of those who claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010 and included their NI number in their claim. However, people who claimed Child Benefit before May 2000 didn’t have to include their NI number on their claim, so may not have HRP on their NI record. It’s worth checking eligibility, as it could have a significant financial benefit for a huge number of women and their pensions, including me! We can also claim by post and the print and post form can be downloaded at GOV.UK. If you’ve no computer access, call the NI helpline and ask them to send you a paper copy. The number is 0300-200 3500 and there’s also extra support available online.

We’ve a slightly different look on our letters page this month. Years ago we were all pleased to discover a new technique or knit something lovely and pass on the joy we had from machine knitting. Times have certainly changed and so have our letters. Things are being shared on social media, but sources of old techniques are falling by the wayside. There are no longer boxes of old magazines to rummage through at shows and books are being thrown away. The excellent technique books published by Brother, Knitmaster and Toyota are also disappearing fast. Some of you are struggling and we still have many resource files. So if there’s something you’d like to know, do please ask and we’ll do all we can to help. Until next month, knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE December 2025

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 6th November

On sale Thursday 9th October

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Dear Readers

As news has come in this month, I’ve had to make a few changes to the magazine… and my editorial is no exception! If I don’t pass this on now, it will be too late for the October issue. Shaun the Sheep first appeared in Aardman’s Wallace & Gromit short film, A Close Shave, 30 years ago. (In truth, 2025 may be his 30th anniversary, but Shaun is eleven years old in sheep years!) To mark the milestone, Aardman has joined forces with British Wool (britishwool.org.uk), the Campaign for Wool (campaignforwool.org) and Craft Forward (craftforward.com) to unveil ‘Can Ewe Knit It?’. ‘Blankets for the World’ is a joint project to distribute warm, handmade blankets to different areas around the globe.

We’re asked to knit or crochet a Shaun inspired 20 x 20cm blanket square using any yarn thickness or stitch. There are free patterns to download at https://aard.mn/CanEweKnitIt, or we can make our own totally unique design. British Wool’s involvement in the campaign encourages us to please use real wool. We’ve to post our 20 x 20cm squares to Craft Forward, 3 Space International House, 6 Canterbury Crescent, London SW9 7QD by 30th September 2025.

Craft Forward supports ‘Blankets for London’ and hosts regular knitting and crochet workshops across the city. It’s a chance for people to come together, learn a new skill and make new connections, because arts and crafts can be a catalyst for social change. It can also have a big impact on people’s mental health and well-being. The ‘Can Ewe Knit It?’ campaign runs until 28th October 2025, when there will be a ‘Blankets for London’ event at The Mills Fabrica in Kings Cross, to bring the blanket squares together. Entry is free but spaces are limited so you need to sign up (shaunthesheep.com/can-ewe-knit-it). Each blanket will be given to an unhoused person in London, to bring warmth to some of the most vulnerable in society. It’s also worth mentioning that there are other local ‘Blankets for the World’ volunteers such as Blankets for Glasgow, Teeside, Liverpool, Barnsley, Sheffield, Coventry, Ipswich and Brighton, as well as London. We all have a stash and we can all manage a 20 x 20cm square, so let’s help to spread some warmth this winter as we keep knitting our way!

NEXT ISSUE October 2025

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 4th September

On sale Thursday 11th September

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Dear Readers

It’s been a busy month and you’ll remember me telling you that my dear friend, Susan Guagliumi, has retired. We all know that her knowledge and skills are immense, so I’m very happy her library of online classes is in the safe hands of Nic Corrigan and the Machine Knit Community. (The full story is on Page 8.) The MKC is an exceptional online space for machine knitters of all abilities around the world. Nic is a designer with a studio in West Yorkshire. She offers step-by-step classes, modern designer-level knitting patterns, self-paced workshops, masterclasses and much more, along with an online support network at mkc.community

The MKC is a safe place to meet and be inspired by other machine knitters and it’s open for membership just three times a year. As we go to press, the next opportunity to join is in April. So make haste if it’s something you’ve been meaning to do, or you’ll have to go on the waiting list until September. The MKC encourages us to get the most from our machines so we can inspire, motivate and learn from each other. It’s packed with activities from monthly challenges to live events and classes. Many of machine knitting’s finest tutors and designers share a wealth of experience and knowledge, including our own Bill King.

As you’ll read on Page 8, the MKC is now the custodian of Susan’s invaluable online content. It will be available to MKC members in different formats within the online platform and makes sure her classes remain available to as many machine knitters as possible, for the foreseeable future. This change doesn’t affect Susan’s Craftsy classes, which are still available through Craftsy.com and it doesn’t impact anyone currently enrolled in her Teachable classes. You’ll still have access to the classes on Teachable, but no new classes will be sold on that platform. You’ll find their new home at mkc.community. All Susan’s free videos remain on YouTube and her books will continue to be sold at Amazon.com

Lastly, I’ll mention again that the digital version of the magazine is now up-and-running. Each issue from January 2025 is available as a high quality digital download at machineknittingmonthly.net/shop/. It’s a big file, so do make sure you’ve a good Wi-Fi connection! Until next month, keep knitting our way!

NEXT ISSUE June 2025

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 1st May

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Dear Readers

It seems a while since I was ‘back in the saddle’ bringing you a monthly update and my news this month has to be that Neville Bramwell has passed away. Yes there are tears, but ‘happy tears’ that he lived to his 92nd year and was alert and lucid almost to the end. He slipped away peacefully with his children Alison, Tony and Peter by his side.

I often went to Bramwell’s offices in Clitheroe, while they were there for ten years, but everything took off when they moved to a huge warehouse in Altham, Lancashire. It was opened by the late Mary Weaver, a long-term friend from the 1970s. Back then Mary had written an article about using three ends of 2/30s high bulk acrylic. She’d bought a few odd cones (on which they lost money!) and suggested to Neville that if he could produce something similar as a single strand on a 500g cone, it would sell. After many visits to Weaverknits at Sutton-on-Hone in Kent, Bramwell’s Fine 4-ply was launched around 1972/73.

The company went on to develop other finer and fancier yarns such as Duo Magic, Hobby and Artistic. Mary was a fellow pioneer in the knitting machine industry. She visited Japan, learned the language and translated many of the machine knitting books and patterns. Mary Weaver’s Machine Knitting Technology, known as the ‘bible’ to many machine knitters, was one of the best-selling books. Bramwell would order five to ten thousand at a time!

The Altham factory had 30,000 square feet and employed 32 people. Bramwell had 808 retail customers in the UK, with a distributor each in Belfast and Dublin. It’s probably hard for newbies to know that in the heyday, machine knitters had the choice of 84 shades in Acrylic 4-ply. A carton held 24 cones and a forty-foot container held 800 cartons. As fast as they could pack the orders, forty-foot containers were shipped to Canada, both Perth and Sydney in Australia and Russia.

Over the years, Mary and her husband Alan became great friends to Neville and his family. Neville told me he always had a great admiration for Mary’s determination and business awareness. He was always grateful for the great trading years they enjoyed together.

So it now really is the end of an era as we say bye-bye to Neville. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed a long and happy friendship with him. I’ll miss his cheery calls, when we’d chat for hours about life and the industry. My heart, though, is filled with joy as I remember the funny stories he would share. Rest in peace, Neville, knowing your contribution to domestic machine knitting was huge. I send my sincere condolences to all his family and anyone who knew him.

NEXT ISSUE April 2025

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 6th March

On sale Thursday 13th March

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NEW DIGITAL VERSION From the January 2025 issue, you can now buy the digital version of the magazine. Just head for the SHOP and select either the hardcopy or downloadable option. The downloadable magazine is just £4 (sterling) for each issue and available straight away. It saves the huge expense and wait for overseas postage, so check it out NOW!