Letters

Hi Anne

I thought I’d just pass on a quick word to someone who would sympathise and, more importantly, let others know. I have the moth! I’ve had to check all my cones and throw out anything slightly suspect. Strangely they didn’t seem to go for oiled wool and neither have they a taste for any of my Nina Miklin yarns. (I’m sure she’ll be pleased to hear!) It’s a lesson to be learnt by all and there is still a place for annual spring cleaning! Everyone needs to be checking. As I’ve not been knitting, it never even crossed my mind to do anything as tedious as inspecting my stash for any unwanted friends. Do please let your readers know, Anne and best wishes, Sue

Hi Anne

My MKM downloaded on the first attempt this morning, so there was no ironing done this morning! It was just like meeting up with an old friend. We emigrated from London to New Zealand in 2010 and MKM is very hard to find here, so I was very happy to hear that you’ve gone digital. You won’t remember me, because you were surrounded by happy knitters at a Knit & Stitch event in London. I won a free MKM magazine from your stall about 25 years ago and have still got it. That started my journey into a lifetime of clubs, workshops and wonderful new friends. Thank you again Anne and all good wishes, Ann

Dear Anne

Last week we were parked on the access road to a local car park when an officially-dressed man approached us. He told us that as of three days ago the rules had changed and we had to register my Blue Badge to park there. As we hadn’t done so, we must pay £2 at the car park ticket machine so he could cancel a pending fine. Advised by the ‘official’ my husband went to the machine and it swallowed his card. The man asked me to try a different card, which also disappeared into the machine. We then went to move our car. Very soon after a large amount of cash was stolen from each of our bank accounts. Please warn your readers, in case there’s a similar scam in their area. The man was very plausible and it never crossed our minds to grasp what he was doing. Thank you Anne for letting others know and sending you best wishes. (Full name and address supplied.)

I’ve known our reader for a very long time and, together with her husband, they’ve always been exceptionally vigilant and taken every possible care. They were terribly upset to discover they’d been scammed. There was also the added worry of losing their cards along with a lot of money. Additionally, they’d to wait several days for both banks to investigate. In due course it was concluded they were telling the truth, had indeed been robbed and were reimbursed by their banks. They’d not had their Blue Badge for long, so were unsure of all the requirements. Our reader asked me to tell you about her dreadful experience, hoping it may save just one of you from suffering the pain of what’s happened to them.

Hello Anne

In the February 2025 issue and the pattern for ‘Blue Skies’ on Page 22, only Chart A is shown. I can find no chart for Punch Tuck Rib B. Please help and many thanks, Marjory

Thanks for asking Marjorie, but you only need one card. As you’ll read, it’s the carriage settings that change the pattern.

Dear Anne

I love every design you publish by Alison Dupernex. She likes sideways knitting and so do I. So, I think it’s worth reminding readers about a method of casting on that you shared back in the mists of time. I think it’s very good, especially for casting on when sideways knitting, but obviously has lots more uses. Crochet a chain in main yarn with as many chains as you need stitches, then place them on the same number of needles. Next pull the needles out to holding position to help the needles slide back and knit a row. It helps to pull the needles out to hold and knit a row twice more. It’s then easy to knit normally without any problems and the chain edge gets lost in the making up. Best wishes, Annabelle

Hi Anne

Thank you very much for the extra copy of MKM that arrived today. In future, I have decided to download the digital copy of the magazine. Partly as it will be cheaper but also because, for me, it will be more convenient. In June, I go to France for three months and look forward to being able to read your magazine as soon as it’s available, instead of having to wait until I return in September. Also, for the rest of the year, I divide my time between two places and get cross when I want to try a pattern but find I’ve left my magazine in the other place. A digital copy will be so useful, as it will always be with me and not take up any room. Once again, thanks for the magazine. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and, although I haven’t renewed my subscription, I’m not leaving you. Best wishes, Christine

Dear Anne

I’ve a 2015 copy of the magazine that lists a Pusher Aligning Tool that can be bought from Mrs Alice E Wilmshurst by sending a cheque to her address in the Forest of Dean. I wonder if you could advise whether Alice is still providing this product? Or if you have an email address for her that I could use? Many thanks, Claire

Thanks for asking Claire and Alice died in September 2016, so your only option is to find a second-hand PAT tool.

Dear Anne

I’m looking to buy a Silver Reed SK280, but would like a machine to do DK and Aran, too. Can you convert hand-knitting patterns for this machine. Thanks, Matt

The LK150 is a great choice as a complementary machine alongside the standard gauge SK280. Knitting on the LK-150 gives tensions almost the same as hand knitting, certainly with stocking stitch. We don’t want to say ‘100% identical every time’ but you’ll not be far out. You need the Tension Dial around 4 for decent DK on the LK-150 and here’s a scan from Page 6 of the instruction manual. This way of showing things is never great, but gives the best idea of the capabilities. Knit everything from fine lace weight to 4-ply on the SK-280, then use the LK150 for heavier yarn.

Hi Anne

I’ve just had a big shock! I had to take my lace carriage for repair, because it had seized up and wouldn’t transfer stitches any longer. When I went to collect it, I was asked: “How often do you clean your machine?”.

“After every two or three garments, I suppose, or if I’ve used dark yarn and want to knit something light”, I replied.

“Do you oil your machine and knitting carriage?” was the next question.

“Yes, it gets a wipe with an oily rag, when I brush off the fluff”. By now I was getting a bit annoyed, because the problem was my lace carriage – but then came the crunch.

“When did you last clean and oil your lace carriage?”.

Gulp! What a fool I’ve been. I wipe round the rails when I clean the machine and my lace carriage sits on the rails, waiting to slide into action. As it doesn’t actually knit, I’d not touched the carriage, nor had it seen a drop of oil. My advice to every reader is… don’t forget your lace carriage. If any part of your machine moves, oil it! The only problem with my lace carriage was that it was crying out for a clean and drop of oil. First name only please, Anne, to spare my blushes. Best wishes, Fiona

Request granted Fiona and, I suspect this is a wakeup call for many of us!