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A number of surprises

First to arrive was Jo Newton, who has a dilemma and I’ve offered to help. A reader called to ask her to design a crinoline lady motif, but the telephone number she gave doesn’t work and Jo can’t get in touch with her. If the mystery reader would call Jo on 01476-563111, her special design is waiting.

Celia Ford said hello from Manor House Knitting Club and they’re very proud of their new website at www.manorhousemk.org.uk. Jean Conduit stopped by from Mapperley KMC to show me a hair band she’d made for the Fashion Show and she’s given me the pattern to share with you in Dear Anne on Page 13. Maureen Sanders wondered if I’d be interested in some of her designs for future issues. Many readers will remember her as Maureen Coxon and she made a very valid point that older knitters also want to look smart, but there’s a dearth of suitable patterns. Her ideas are practical, yet inspiring and I hope we can set the wheels in motion to bring some of them to you. Jean Ryder, former Editor of Machine Knitting News asked me to say hello to all those who remember her.

Mary Hawkins represented Ruddington Framework Knitters’ Museum and asked me to let you know that anyone visiting the museum during opening hours can have a free ‘ten minute twirl’ on the circular knitting machines and take the resulting scarf length home. You can also book for a comprehensive lesson on all aspects of Griswold machines and other makes. The lesson lasts for five hours (with breaks!) and will be tailored to your requirements, in return for a donation to the museum. Tuition is individual or you can bring a friend and knowledge of flatbed knitting machines is not necessary. Just visit the museum’s website at rfkm.org or phone 0115-984 6914 for details.

Finally, my biggest surprise of the day was to see John Blakeman again. He wrote many articles for us, led the slick demonstration team for Brother machines and his knowledge is extensive. After a break of many years, John has returned to machine knitting and I hope he’ll keep in touch. It would be lovely to have him back in the fold once more. The day was studded with more of our machine knitting gems including Iris Bishop, Elaine Cater and Nina Niklin so Nottingham has left me with many happy memories.

NEXT ISSUE
July 2012
Subscription copies sent out
Thursday 7th June
On sale Thursday 14th June
Ask your newsagent to
Reserve a copy : see page 61

Was the Nottingham show advertised? Can you tell me if any other knitting shows are going to be arranged this year and if so where?

Thank you Karen

kazbill
2012-07-04 17:59:09

Middlesex Machine Knitters Splash Out

On the main platform will be special guest speaker Iris Bishop, well known for her inspiring, informative talks and imaginative garments. We are also very excited to have an exhibition of creative garments, accessories and experimental art pieces from Morley College’s machine knitting students, some of which will be on sale. How would you like to own an exclusive one off item?
We are delighted that Heathercraft, Sue Castro and Nina Miklin will be attending again this year and welcome new exhibitors Anne Smith, editor of Machine Knitting Monthly, Uppingham Yarns with a wide range of yarns, and Erica Thomson knitting with wire.
Liz Holness will be sorting out any knitting problems that visitors have; Janice Engall, from our club, will be showing how to create Dorset buttons, and Barbara Logan, also from our club, will demonstrate her Victorian sock knitting machine. You are welcome to have a go.
All those who apply for advance tickets will be sent a FREE hand knitting pattern for a child’s bag and a FREE surprise machine knitting pattern. Please knit these up and bring along to the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice table. Alternatively, bring along anything that you have knitted, as long as it is brand new. Everything will be sold to raise money for the Hospice. The more the merrier. If there is anything left unsold, then it will go to the Hospice’s charity shops.
Try your luck with the raffle (prizes supplied by the exhibitors) and test your knitting knowledge in the Knitting Quiz. Don’t forget that we will also be giving away FREE ‘How to’ leaflets.
If July 7th turns out to be a scorcher why not enjoy your picnic lunch in the Church Hall’s garden. And to quench your thirst – coffee, tea and soft drinks will be available throughout the day.
All Saints Church Hall is only eight minutes from the M3 and located on The Avenue in Hampton, TW12 3RG, West London with no parking restrictions. Buses 111 and R70 stop nearby. Entrance is £5 and for students £4. For advance tickets please send a cheque made out to Elaine Cater to 31 Watergates Lane, Broadmayne, Dorchester, DT2 8HA. The ticket will be held for you at the door. Also please provide your email address so that the FREE patterns can be emailed to you.
If you want any more information email watergates31-knitting@yahoo.co.uk
We look forward to seeing you and hope you will have an enjoyable day!

Spring knitting

It’s been a strange month in the South East and we’ve seen temperatures plummeting to minus eleven one morning and soaring to twelve degrees by lunchtime the next day. I’ve never been more thankful for all the knitted clothes in my wardrobe, because I’ve certainly needed to add an extra layer to keep warm. My first choice is always a warm gilet Jane Woodward designed for us in Cashmere for the August 2009 issue. It always reminds me that yarns such as Lamb’s Wool, Cashmere, Alpaca and Mohair keep animals warm and they do the same for us, too. They may be more expensive than man-made fibres, but usually only small quantities are needed and it can be well worth some occasional self-indulgence.

If you live within travelling distance of Nottingham then please turn to Page 6, where we’ve 20 free tickets to give away for the show on 15th April. We’ll have the usual Lucky Dip, so please send in a self-addressed and stamped envelope as soon as you can. Don’t forget to mark the top left hand corner of both envelopes with ‘Nottingham’ and I hope you’re one of our winners. Guest speakers this year are Sue Booth 11.00 am, Iris Bishop at 1.30 pm and Erica Thomson at 2.30 pm. The lectures cost an extra £1 each and numbers are limited, so book in advance. There’s more information about the show and contact details on Page 33.

Carol Hocknell tells me that a few places still remain for this year’s Dream Week from 3rd to 7th September. It’s probably the annual highlight event in the machine knitting calendar and visitors flock to Cheshire from all over the world. There are some wonderful tutors this year including Iris Bishop and Bill King and I’m always very pleased to be asked to join in the fun. If you’d like more information about Dream Week then give Carol a call now on 01270-628414.

Finally, let me remind you that March has five Thursdays so you’ll have to wait just a bit longer for your May magazine. It will be mailed out to subscribers on Thursday 5th April and it’s officially on sale on Thursday 12th April. By then Easter will have come and gone, I’ll be heading for the Nottingham Show and I hope to see as many of you who can join us. Until then happy knitting.

CURRENT ISSUE
April 2012
Subscription copies sent out
Thursday 1st March
On sale Thursday 8th March
Ask your newsagent to
Reserve a copy : see page 61

Dear Anne
Thank you for a really good magazine. I have knitted the baby cardigan from Carole Nixon on my Pfaff Duo 80 using 2/30s yarn. Setting the front bed pushers 2 up 2 down front lock BX< and back bed N and using the tensions as pattern. It knitted up beautifully. The pattern for the boy's slipover in 4 ply is also on my agenda. I haven't done much knitting lately and feel I'm getting rusty. Having accumulated so much yarn I thought I really must get cracking and explore the potential of my machine!
I’m also going to knit up some of the patterns from the copies of PKMJ that Alice Wilmshurst published. Thank you both for the inspiration to get knitting again.
Kind regards to all at MKM.
Sue.
Sue P
2011-12-01 20:25:40
It’s a great post I love to read and I agree with your thinking. Please share more information such as this. Thanks.
yerixgob
2011-12-01 20:25:40
Dear Anne
Thank you for a really good magazine. I’ve knitted the baby cardigan from Carole Nixon on my Pfaff Duo 80 using 2/30s yarn. Setting the front bed pushers 2 up 2 down front lock BX< and back bed N and using the tensions as pattern. It knitted up beautifully. The pattern for the boy's slipover in 4-ply is also on my agenda. I haven't done much knitting lately and feel I'm getting rusty. Having accumulated so much yarn I thought I really must get cracking and explore the potential of my machine! I'm also going to knit up some of the patterns from the copies of PKMJ that Alice Wilmshurst published. Thank you both for the inspiration to get knitting again. Kind regards to all at MKM.
Sue.
yerixgob
2011-12-01 20:25:40
Hi
On re-reading my comment I have realized that the front lock setting should be AX for tuck stitch; BX is for slip stitch!
I knitted a slipover and swiss darned a car from one of the Harmony books across the front. It looked really good.
At the moment I am knitting the Maggie Andrews cardigan from the December 2008 issue of the magazine on my Toyota 901 using Amber 4 ply at T 6.1. My tension is slightly different than that in the magazine so I am knitting a smaller size.
I found that reducing the tension for the weaving made the knitting stretch into a point each end so I left the setting on MT and it looks a lot neater. So far I have knitted the back starting with an e-wrap cast on and picking up the loops for the second side. I cast off the stitches for the armhole but removed the side seam stitches on WY ready to join the back and front on the machine. I’m hoping to finish the knitting next week.
Regards Sue.
Sue P
2011-12-02 18:25:57
Hello there

I would just like to make a comment on the January 2012 magazine. If this is what we have to look forward to in the New Year – then bring it on is what I say!

This is the first time that I have actually sat for a good hour or more reading MKM. I don’t mean to be critical but some of the patterns in the past leave a lot to be desired. I know the aim is to attract young knitters – but baggy drop-shouldered jumpers with holes in here and there and no real neckline (just a curled edge) are really not the way to go in my opinion.

I know that as an Editor it must be extremely hard to constantly find good patterns for the magazine but I would rather see one really good design than three bad ones.

I am so happy to see that patterns are starting to creep back into the magazine that have fitted sleeve heads and good patterning on them. Long may it last is what I say. For me to sit and read the magazine for over an hour shows just how good it was this month. Normally I look through it sigh and put it with the other mags from previous months. This month you really did capture my imagination and I feel that I really do have to hold up my hands and say a big thank you.

I have had a your magazine for so many years that I can’t remember when I first took out the subscription and there is no way that I would stop. It takes a lot to make me sit and write but I just felt that this month I really had to.

One final thought; with the cold weather nearly upon us and fuel bills rising is there any chance of one month there being patterns for heavy curtains door stops long skirts bed spreads rugs bottle covers blankets – anything that will keep the home warm and snug and help fight the fuel bills. I know you have to plan in advance but thought maybe it might be possible.

Kind regards Hilary

silverleat
2011-12-07 21:11:49
Hi
I moved house eight years ago and I’ve just started to machine knit again. I don’t know of any other machine knitters in my area and would love to discuss topics with like-minded people. It would be lovely to share knitting experiences with someone else and I wonder if there’s anyone out there or does anyone know of any clubs?
Ever hopeful Sheila
Sheila C
2012-01-20 17:47:44
Thank you for a really good magazine.
dannyclarke
2012-03-05 15:51:24

Machine Knitting LIVE!

The school is on the A3060, Castle Lane West. Once you reach Castlepoint Shopping Centre on the right, continue straight. East Way is first left and Castle Gate Close is second left. Everything is on one level so disabled access is easy. Organised by machine knitters for machine knitters, Machine Knitting LIVE! really is a friendly event that welcomes everyone. This year we’ve some new exhibitors, so please support the show.

ADMISSION
Pay on the door and entrance is £6 for everyone. Children are admitted free as long as they’re supervised throughout.

DESIGNERS
This year our leading names include Iris Bishop, Sue Castro, Elaine Cater, Clair Crowston, Beryl Jarvis, Nina Miklin and Fiona Morris. Hilary also hopes to bring her collection of Busy Bee patterns.

EXHIBITORS
Apologies that at the last minute Anne Baker with Karabee designs and Carl Boyd can’t attend for health reasons. As we go to press, we look forward to welcoming the following exhibitors:

Arnold Bennett with amazing buttons
Busy Bee Hilary hopes to bring the full range of patterns to the show
Iris Bishop will have her fabulous designs and she’s our Guest Speaker
Sue Castro has innovative ideas and help for club leaders
Elaine Cater designer patterns and books
Anne Croucher will run our Knit Clinic and offer help and advice on all machines – she has 50 of her own!
Clair Crowston and her designer patterns
DesignaKnit with expert advice including the new DesignaKnit 8 from Carol at Metropolitan
Guild of Machine Knitters Frank Dineen launched the Guild at our first exhibition in Bournemouth in 1998 and it’s gone from strength to strength
B Hague & Co bring their selection of linkers, twisters, winders and accessories for all machines
David Hampson is new this year with packs of major branded yarn including Wendy, Twilleys, Stylecraft, King Cole and JC Brett. He’s hopefully recovered from his back injury
David & Phyllis Hilton bring their intarsia expertise and designs
Beryl Jarvis brings her designs, Info Sheets and DVD
Knits ‘n’ Bits Wendy Piper brings a large selection of used machines, accessories, books and patterns
MKM will bring current and back issues, Anjo patterns, La Rivière dust covers, American patterns plus binders
Metropolitan has a huge selection of machines, books, accessories and yarns including Metro Crêpe
Nina Miklin brings her luxury yarns and designer patterns
Fiona Morris has innovative patterns, yarn and notions
Silver Reed new machines and accessories are available at Metropolitan
Uppingham Yarns always has a wide range of yarns

FASHION SHOW
This year, our show is staged with lots of help and support from several clubs.

FIRST AID
In case of difficulty, members of the Talbot Division branch of St John Ambulance will be on hand all day.

GUEST SPEAKERS
We’re delighted to confirm that our Guest Speaker this year is Iris Bishop.

LEFT LUGGAGE
Members of St John Ambulance organise the Left Luggage point and your donations to their fund-raising efforts are always much appreciated.

MACHINES & ACCESSORIES
There will be new and second-hand machines, together with a wide range of accessories for all machines. If you’d like to find out more about buying and using a knitting machine or linker, come to Bournemouth for expert advice from the long-established and highly reputable Metropolitan plus B Hague & Co. A newcomer this time is Wendy Piper with Knits ‘n’ Bits – a large selection of used machines, accessories, books and patterns

REFRESHMENTS
The school’s caterers provide drinks and refreshments at very reasonable prices. We use the school dining room, so there’s lots of seating available.

TRANSPORT
Parking again is right outside the door in the school’s playground and we reserve spaces for disabled travellers just by the entrance. Coaches and mini-buses usually drop knitters to leave the driver free to look around Bournemouth. The main bus route is on the road right outside the school.

YARNS
Local stockists with a good supply of coned yarn are in short supply so if you’d like to re-stock your knitting room, you’ll find lots to tempt you. Nina Miklin brings her fabulous luxury yarns and Metropolitan will have a large range including Metro Fine French Crêpe. Uppingham Yarns always has a wide selection of popular yarn and hopefully David Hampson has recovered from his back injury. He’ll bring Wendy, Twilleys, Stylecraft, King Cole and JC Brett yarns. Arnold Bennett is now the ‘haby man’ with his button collection. It’s looking good, so please make every effort to join us this year. This is the only MK LIVE! show in 2012 and the craft really needs your support if it’s to survive.

I’m sad to see that there won’t be any shows ‘up North’ this year!
AmyA
2012-02-16 11:13:46
I am really happy to join Machine Knitting Monthly. I know that I would be able to learn how to knit from them.
Jake Reeves
2012-03-05 15:51:24

Crafters’ Market

We also do a lot of summer fairs and fêtes so my knitting machines are working constantly, especially the garter carriage and I just hope they don’t wear out! Since I’ve been doing the Crafters Market selling my knitwear, lots of people have said, “I have a knitting machine but haven’t used it because I couldn’t get on with it”. My reply was simply, buy Machine Knitting Monthly and they could soon be knitting garments like the ones I am selling. I always take a copy with me and there was quite a bit of interest in the magazine so let’s hope the sales will go up!
Best wishes from Linda Collins on the Isle of Wight”

Arts Alive – Melissa Warren knitting courses

I am trying to create interest in using the knitting machine as a creative tool. I also run sessions at my workshop, please contact me for details.
melissa@melissawarren.co.uk
www.melissawarren.co.uk
www.lemonblues.co.uk
www.craftmaker.co.uk/melissawarren

Ayr Machine Knitting Club

We start back after the summer break on Tuesday 6th September for show and tell, demonstrations and anything related to machine knitting. We’re a friendly group with a wealth of knowledge and experience in machine knitting and look forward to welcoming you to our club. Meetings are held at Kyle Academy, Ayr and please e-mail Maggie at mlhmb@btinternet.com for further information.

Yateley MKC

Although our numbers are low, we’ve recruited several enthusiastic new members over the last year. As funds are diminishing we run the meetings among ourselves with only one speaker a year. We’ve been doing ‘Back to Basics’, as we believe that we all need this from time to time however long we’ve been knitting and it’s proving very popular. We’ve a monthly competition with everyone voting for their favourite (with tiddlywinks!) and points are awarded towards a yearly winner. We also have a charity night and a Christmas meal.

If anyone is interested in joining us on the second Wednesday of the month (except August) from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm in Room D1.6 at Yateley School, please contact me on 01252-660250 or e-mail sandracornwall@ntlworld.com. I’d also like to mention that Jenny Barker and I have started knitting classes as these seem to be very thin on the ground. We have our own building and can offer group or individual tuition. Great magazine so keep up the good work. Best wishes from Sandra Cornwall

Lincolnshire club or tutor

Hi
I’ve just returned to machine knitting and I’ve a Silver Reed SK860 with DesignaKnit 7. I need some help please to work it all out and I’d love to find a tutor. I’m willing to travel and hope someone can help.
Thanks

Hi
I’m not sure where you are in Lincolnshire but we have a great club at Donington that meets every other Thursday from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon at the Ruby Hunt Centre in Donington. http://www.therubyhuntcentre.org.uk/
Our next meeting is on Thursday 25th August. Last month we had a visit from Clair Crowston who lives in Skegness which lasted all day and we all thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt so much from her.
You’re more than welcome to come and just visit us. Enjoy the exchange of ideas and talking to other knitters who can perhaps tell you of other clubs that might be more local to you.
Best wishes from Margaret
Cassie
2011-08-25 11:56:33
Thanks a lot. Unfortunately I work on Thursdays but hope to rearrange my working week to have a Thursday off. I have booked on a course with Metropolitan to hopefully sort out the DesignaKnit and machine which I am looking forward to. Thank you for the reply.
rosiewright
2011-09-30 20:23:27