News

Nottingham Knitting Show 2019

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

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

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 – 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.

February 2019 Contents

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

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

New Andee Knits shop opens

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

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