News

May 2019

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Our May 2019 cover design and short-sleeved version in this lovely summer yarn are easy to knit and cover a large size range from 71-76 cm (28-30 in) to 112-117 cm (44-46 in with the actual measurement 128 cm, 50¾ in). We’ve 15 designs and we also include instructions for converting all our patterns for knitting on standard gauge machine​s​. Iris Rowe introduces a new friend to the Toy Box, Sally-Ann Carroll reminds us to ‘think pink’ for spring and Bill King creates open fabrics on machines without a lace carriage. Karin Rogalski has designed some great hats to use up left-over yarn quickly and Helen Lewis helps newbies, step-by-step, to knit their first sweater. We’ve masses of ideas, top tips and golden oldies in Dear Anne and we always ​include news, books and fashion. We also have a special reader discount on new craft books from Search Press.

New machine-knitting course in Basingstoke

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Gillian is a fashion and textiles technician in the Art & Design department at Basingstoke College of Technology in Hampshire. She tells us that they’ve recently started to run evening courses covering various disciplines including sewing, crochet, painting, screen-printing and pottery. A new machine knitting course is running in May. Taught by Antonia Sullivan, knitwear designer and owner of Sprig Knitwear, this course is four weeks in length and will take place on Thursday evenings from 6.00 to 8.00 pm. Costing only £125 and with a small class size (enrolment is limited to 8) it’s a great introduction to machine knitting. Here’s the link for more information and online registration https://www.bcot.ac.uk/subject-areas/art-and-design/FEBC030.

June 2019 Subscriptions

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This is June 2019 and our current issue.

New subscription If you chose a new subscription, it will start with the July 2019 magazine – to be mailed out to subscribers on Thursday 6th June. If you’d like to start with this June issue, order a Subscription Bundle.

Subscription bundle If you chose a subscription bundle, it will start with our current June 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 July 2019 issue goes out to subscribers on Thursday 6th June.

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.

KNITS ‘N’ BITS 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 mum and 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.

LECTURES We have two lectures which we hold upstairs, but there are stairs and a lift, so access is easy for everyone. Sue Booth will talk at 11.30 am about Surface Decoration including different ways to decorate a plain garment, making a top look like a cardigan, adding cords, simple embroidery, ‘e’ wrapping and so on. Erica Thomson will talk at 2.00 pm about Pressing Matters including using blocking wires, steaming ribs and how to try to rectify previous pressing mistakes. Do bring along samples or garments for advice.

CATERING We’ll have hot and cold snacks and drinks available and last year’s excellent caterers will look after us again.
EXHIBITORS This year’s exhibitors included Andee Knits, Arnold Bennett – the Button Man, Sue Booth, B Hague & Co, Bill King, David and Jason Hampson from The Wool Cabin, the Framework Knitters Museum, Hazel Green, Knits ‘n’ Bits from Wendy Piper, Machine Knitting Monthly also with Anjo Designs, Mapperley Knit & Natter Club with demonstrations and displays, Nina Miklin, Nottinghamshire Spinners, Weavers & Dyers, Rob Fountain, Erica Thomson and Uppingham Yarns. Watch this space as we update the details until the show.

April 2019 – Latest issue

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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 – Bundle details

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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.

March 2019 – Latest issue

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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 – 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.

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.

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