We’ve got EXCITING NEWS!

Hi Anne

I’m Mary Karnes and I’m writing to let you know that Carolinas Machine Knitters Guild (CMKG) is hosting a machine knitting seminar conveniently located just minutes away from the Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina airport (RDU). Seminar registration includes lunch and chances to win door prizes, and there’s an optional banquet dinner and fashion show on Friday night with prizes. Our demonstrators are Mary Anne Oger, Mike Becker and April Mills. Since we’re all interested in promoting machine knitting, I thought I might let you know how you can help make this a great experience for the machine knitting community.

Carolinas Machine Knitters Guild 2017 Seminar

First, spread the word about this and any other machine knitting seminar. There seem to be quite a few seminars being held across the country lately, and all are great learning opportunities. Please feel free to share this information about our upcoming seminar. Anyone interested in registering for the CMKG 2017 Seminar can go to this link: http://carolinasmkg.com/Events/CMKGseminar2017.html to register online or download a registration form and mail it with a check or money order, as indicated on the form.

Next, consider advertising in our seminar registration booklet to help offset the printing cost. Advertisements that fill one‐eighth of a page are available at a minimal cost of $20. This can help direct our attendees to your shops or services for machine knitting supplies, accessories and parts. Simply e‐mail the contents of your ad to this email address:  Treasurer@Carolinasmkg.com. Payment can be made by PayPal to this same address, for your convenience.

Finally, kindly consider donating door prizes. Anything related to machine knitting would be graciously accepted and your name and business information, if applicable, would be read aloud as door prizes are drawn. Appropriate items include patterns, tools, accessories, magazines, subscriptions, and anything else related to machine knitting. Your generous donations can be mailed to:-

Cindy LaDelle

President, Carolinas Machine Knitters Guild

619 Near Post Drive

Fuquay Varina, NC 27526‐5872

Bournemouth Machine Knitting LIVE!

Hi Anne

I’ve had a request from some club members wanting to know about the Bournemouth Machine Knitting LIVE! Exhibition specifically. They would like to know about the speakers and the exhibitors who will be at Bournemouth. I did see there was a list of all exhibitors in the magazine for both Nottingham and Bournemouth but no indication of who was specifically going to which show. If you could point me in the right direction that would be appreciated.

The show takes place this Saturday 4th March 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 £6 on the door. The school refectory opens and staff provide hot and cold refreshments throughout the day. Cadets and officers from the local branch of St John Ambulance are on standby and also look after left luggage and run a tombola to swell club funds.

 Guest Speaker is Fiona Morris at 11.00 am and Carbery and Ringwood club members organise and will present a fashion show in the afternoon around 2.00 pm.
Confirmed exhibitors are Andee Knits, Anne Baker and Karabee Designs, Anne Croucher and the Knit Clinic, Bill King, Brenda Gould and Knitting Machine Journal, Carbery MKC, Dave Hampson from The Wool Cabin, Elaine Cater, Fiona Morris, Guild of Machine Knitters, Knits ‘n’ Bits from Wendy Piper, Machine Knitting Monthly also with Anjo Designs, Metropolitan Machine Knitting, Nina Miklin, Ringwood MKC, Rob Fountain, Sue Castro and Uppingham Yarns.
 
I hope this is all the information you need, but do get back to me if you’re unsure about anything.

Calling all knitters and stitchers

 

Help create a river of yellow and blue on Sunday April 30, to line the route of the Tour de Yorkshire when it comes to the Bradford district.

Stage three of the world-class cycle race starts in the city centre and goes through large parts of the Bradford district. Bradford Council is encouraging individuals, groups, organisations and companies to get involved in helping to dress the entire 60 km of the route that comes through Bradford, with colourful bunting and flags. They are looking for people to knit or stitch bunting and flags of any shape or size in yellow and or blue, the colours of the Tour de Yorkshire. They’re also looking for textile or yarn companies who would be get involved by donating materials.

They are calling on individuals and groups including schools, Women’s Institutes, community organisations and companies to pull out all the stops to help trim up the city centre and the  towns, villages and communities along the route with knitted, stitched, quilted, crocheted, felted and woven bunting.  When the Tour de France Grand Depart went through the district in 2014 and they put out a similar appeal they got a great response. They want to inspire anyone whatever their craft be it knitting, sewing, stitching or crocheting to take part. Bradford is built on the wool trade and famous for its textiles so would like to bring this element to the celebration of this fantastic sporting event. For information about how to get involved please contact saira.ali@bradford.gov.uk

Bournemouth & Nottingham Shows 2017

MACHINE KNITTING LIVE!

Spring 2017

YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

As you’ve read and no doubt heard, it’s possible that the 2017 shows at Bournemouth and Nottingham will come to an end. Over the years, these two early shows have always been organised by machine knitters, for machine knitters. They’re not a hotchpotch of lots of crafts, they concentrate through and through on machine knitting. At both friendly events we always offer free help, advice, demonstrations and encouragement. New machines and accessories are on sale, including reconditioned models at bargain prices. There’s always a wide selection of yarn as well as designers, books, patterns and quality lectures. Our Bournemouth event also includes a full Fashion Show, presented by members of Carbery and Ringwood clubs. Refreshments and free parking are available and both shows are supported by leading names in machine knitting. If you want these shows to continue, you need to make every effort to attend this year. Your presence and vote will count towards the decision to carry on or close both shows. Tickets cost £5 in advance, £6 on the door so call Anne Smith on 01628-783080 to order your advance tickets now.

Andee Knits, Anne Baker and Karabee Designs, Anne Croucher, Arnold Bennett, B Hague & Co, Bill King, Brenda Gould with KMJ, Carbery Machine Knitting Club, Clair Crowston, Dave Hampson, Elaine Cater, Erica Thomson, Fiona Morris, Framework Knitters Museum, Guild of Machine Knitters, Iris Bishop, Knits ‘n’ Bits from Wendy Piper, Machine Knitting Monthly, Mapperley Machine Knitting Club, Metropolitan Machine Knitting, Nina Miklin, Ringwood Machine Knitting Club, Rob Fountain, Spinners, Weavers & Dyers, Sue Booth, Sue Castro, Uppingham Yarns

All of these exhibitors support MKM and please check beforehand to see if they will be exhibiting at the show of your choice.

2017 Dates

Bournemouth Saturday 4th March 2016 from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm at Bournemouth School for Girls, Castle Gate Close, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth BH8 9UJ

Nottingham Sunday 9th April 2017 from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm at West Park Leisure Centre, Wilsthorpe Road, Long Eaton, Derbyshire NG10 4AA

All the hints and tips for success

I spoke to Joan Fielding-Browne recently and she’s a fabulous offer for you, running right up to Christmas week. I’m not sure all of you know that she has masses of stock in her shop at Galashiels, as well as online. It includes machine cones from King Cole, Woolcraft and Robin, as well as knitting and sewing machines, tables, cabinets and accessories. She has gift packs, knitting patterns and everything for tapestry, crochet and embroidery. Her special promotions cover all crafts and change each week up to Christmas. Visit www.littleknittingfairy.co.uk or, if you’d like to talk to Joan personally, give her a call on 01896-850734.

Reader offers are coming in thick and fast right now, including price reductions on cones for MKM readers and Club Leaders from The Wool Cabin until the January issue goes on sale in December. You can call the order hotline on 07854-121067 or email singlemalt48@hotmail.com but make sure you put The Wool Cabin in the subject box. Personal shoppers are always welcome and you’ll find full details on Page 28.

The Knitting Fairy will look after all your crafting and gift needs, The Wool Cabin has yarn bargains and Anne Baker has the perfect Karabee pattern for a mermaid snuggly. It’s quickly knitted with Card 1 on chunky machines. Anne has made one for my little grand-daughter to snuggle up in and it’s gorgeous. There have been hand-knitting versions around for a while, but this is the only one I’ve seen for machine knitting. The pattern has been so popular that Anne has had to add teen and adult sizes. As Sally-Ann would say, it’s ‘bang on trend’ and everything I’ve mentioned is available by post. Order now and all that remains is to settle down to some festive knitting!

NEXT ISSUE
January 2017
Subscription copies sent out
Thursday 1st December
On sale
Thursday 8th December
Ask your newsagent to
Reserve a copy : see page 61

CURRENT ISSUE
December 2016
Subscription copies sent out
Thursday 3rd November
On sale
Thursday 10th November

Hello Anne
Do you have a running order for this year’s show at Bournemouth on Saturday 5th March as I am driving and don’t want to miss anything?
Best wishes Mary

Hi Mary
We open at 10.00 am and the cafeteria is already buzzing because they serve hot bacon rolls which none of us can resist!

Ann Brown is our Guest Speaker and her talk will start around 11.00 to 11.30 am to allow those travelling from a long distance to arrive. Members of Carbery Machine Knitting Club and Ringwood Machine Knitting Club will present a combined Fashion Show at about 2.00 to 2.30 pm. Again we need to leave sufficient time for everyone to have lunch which can sometimes be tricky if the school canteen is busy. Demonstrations will take place throughout the day in many of the classrooms. The cafeteria closes around 3.15 to 3.30 and we close at 4.00 pm.

We look forward to seeing you and it promises to be a great day Anne

Mary Lowe
2016-02-18 20:55:19
Dear Anne
I am so sad to hear of the passing of Joan Lafferty I have read her articles for many a year as I have been a machine knitter since the late 60s. She often made me smile and gave so many easy to understand hints and tips.
Thanks for continuing to produce a great magazine without which many of us would be lost.
Best wishes
Joyce
JEDSBITS
2016-02-18 20:51:41
Dear Anne
So sorry to hear you have lost another friend and colleague with the death of Alice Wilmshurst. She worked tirelessly over the years and her Machine Knitting Journals have been such an inspiration to machine knitters all over the world. I still read through my collection of PKMJ every so often and enjoy all the hints tips and encouragement that Alice put together.
Kind regards
Sue
Sue P
2016-08-12 07:30:46

Brand New Range of Crafting Storage Solutions coming to Create and Craft TV

This on-the-go storage comes in six different but co-ordinating designs that customers can purchase as one off pieces, or invest in the whole collection. Create and Craft has the UK TV Exclusive availability of the Macbeth Spinning Tote, Utility Tote, Portable Craft Station, Craft Tool Tote, Paper Folio and Shoulder Tote. These designer totes and bags master the art of portable organisation – simple storage solutions which are both stylish and functional.

Macbeth Collection is a global lifestyle brand that’s a true extension of the personal style and sensibility of its Founder and Designer, Margaret Josephs. The collection, known for eye-popping colour, bold prints and whimsical detailing includes ready-to-wear, bags, accessories, beauty, home and tech accessories. Margaret Josephs launched the Macbeth Collection in 1999 with unique, stylish home decor in signature prints. Margaret’s reinvented classics and bright preppy bohemian prints resonated with ‘taste makers’ from the very beginning. Over its 16 years, the brand has expanded its portfolio to include a vast array of products, all in Margaret Josephs signature prints.

The Macbeth Storage Range will be available on Create and Craft TV 19th August @ 10:00 and 13:00 as part of the Summer Carnival Event on Sky 674, Freeview 23, Virgin 748 and Freesat 813 or live at www.createandcraft.tv and use social media to keep up-to-date.

Romford Autumn Spectacular

Raffle We always hold a raffle, with fantastic prizes.
Exhibitors Our impressive list of exhibitors so far includes Anne Baker with her Karabee Designs and Sue Booth with her designer patterns. Sue Burns will offer make and take sessions and Sue Castro will demonstrate machine knitting techniques. Edwina Dunham has a selection of patterns and Rob Fountain brings his innovative sponge bars. Brenda Gould comes along with Knitting Machine Journal and The Guild of Machine Knitters flies the flag for our craft. David Hampson will bring packs of yarn at knock-down prices from The Wool Cabin. A huge choice of pre-owned and new machines and accessories will be on sale from Wendy Piper at Knits ‘n’ Bits. Nick Traylen will bring a great selection of Uppingham Yarns and Diana Bensted returns from The Crochet Chain – loving life, crochet and yarn.
Demonstrations Our two local clubs will be demonstrating machines and accessories.b>Talks We’ll hold free talks throughout the day.
Come and join us Organised by machine knitters for machine knitters, it will be a lovely day out. There’s easy access from the M25 and the only show of its kind in this part of the country.
Advance tickets Entry is £6 on the day or £5 in advance and you can buy tickets in Trading Post.
It was full to bursting last year, so this time the exhibitors will spread out all over the rooms on the ground floor and we’ll use the small hall, down the flight of six steps, for our talks. If required, there’s access to this hall round the outside of the building, avoiding the steps.

Goodbye Joan

Dear Anne
I’ve just received my March magazine and I’d like to write a short note to you about Joan Lafferty. She will be sorely missed, I really used to enjoy her articles and they were entertaining as well as informative. I’ve recently come back to machine knitting and I’m finding it a bit daunting. However, I have joined a local knitting club so things are on the up and being able to go back to Joan’s articles will be a great help. Thanks, Joan, for so much. Best wishes, Angela Reed

Christmas jumper lovers

New research from the consumer campaign has revealed that over ten million people are likely to buy a Christmas jumper and 40% of Christmas jumper wearers plan on wearing them just once or twice this festive season. Love Your Clothes is launching a 12 Jumpers of Christmas competition to inspire people to upcycle a pre-loved jumper as an alternative to buying a new one.

And those consumers that don’t feel that handy with a needle and thread are being encouraged to consider buying a pre-loved Christmas jumper or swap and share last year’s with friends and family instead.

The clothing industry has the fifth-biggest environmental footprint of any UK industry. Upcycling an old jumper gives it a new festive lease of life. It is a great way of keeping clothes in use for longer offering a significant opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of clothing. Extending the length of time we wear clothes by just three months would lead to a 5-10% reduction in their carbon, water and waste footprints.

The new research from Love Your Clothes revealed that over seven million people across the UK would currently consider decorating their own jumper to make it festive. To encourage more budding stylists, the consumer campaign is offering tips and tutorials on their website: loveyourclothes.org.uk/12jumpers/ and will publicise the top 12 creations in December. A Janome sewing machine will be awarded to the best design with subscriptions to Simply Sewing and Reloved magazines up for grabs for runners up.

To enter, people just need to either decorate a jumper or cardigan they already have, or a pre-loved one (e.g. from a charity shop), so it can be worn instead of purchasing a new Christmas jumper. It can be for adults or children and should feature a creative Christmas theme. It also needs to be washable and designed so the decorations can be easily removed after it has been worn so it can continue to be used after Christmas. The designs will be judged by the Love Your Clothes team based on creativity, what inspired the design, how the design was made and what materials were used (extra points are available for incorporating re-used materials).

Sarah Clayton, Head of Clothing at WRAP, the organisation behind the Love Your Clothes campaign, said:

“We are really excited to be launching our 12 Jumpers of Christmas competition and hope it will inspire lots of people to get upcycling. With most Christmas jumpers being worn only a handful of times over the festive season transforming an existing jumper into a one-off Christmas master piece is a great way of adding some ‘green’ style to your wardrobe this Christmas and saving some cash at the same time.

““We know that the average lifetime of clothes is just over two years. Entering the 12 Jumpers competition is a great way for people to extend the lifetime of their old jumpers and make a jumper last for life not just for Christmas!”

Love Your Clothes recognises that buying a Christmas Jumper is often in response to charity fundraising appeals but would urge people to jazz up a jumper and make a charitable donation with the money they’ve saved to their chosen cause instead.

Competition entrants should submit a good quality colour photograph (at least 72 dpi resolution) of their jumper plus a description of what inspired the design how the design was made and what materials were used by e-mail to: loveyourclothes@wrap.org.uk with the subject ’12 Jumpers of Christmas Competition’ in the e-mail title by 10 am on Monday 7th December.

We’ll be sharing top tips on Christmas jumpers and loving your clothes throughout November and December. Join in the fun by visiting loveyourclothes.org.uk/12jumpers/and following us on Twitter @loveyourclothes and #12jumpers.

how the design was made and what materials were used by e-mail to: loveyourclothes@wrap.org.uk with the subject ’12 Jumpers of Christmas Competition’ in the e-mail title by 10 am on Monday 7th December.

We’ll be sharing top tips on Christmas jumpers and loving your clothes throughout November and December. Join in the fun by visiting loveyourclothes.org.uk/12jumpers/and following us on Twitter @loveyourclothes and #12jumpers.”

Changes to shopping cart

You won’t notice anything different when you’re using Trading Post – the changes are required because Paypal is changing its services. We’ve tested it as much as we can, but given how many different machines you all use, there are sometimes things that we can’t anticipate, so we’d really appreciate it if you could let us know straight away if you have any problems.

Thanks!
Matt