News

July 2023 update

Dear Readers

After the cold, wet and miserable start to the year, hosepipe bans are a sure sign that summer has arrived, so I’ve included some pretty tops this time. Adapt them to suit your mood, stash or machine. If time is short, use variegated yarn for instant colour. Change a cable into a lace panel and remember that a row of lace holes over alternate needles is a great way to break up a simple stripe. With the prospect of fine weather and the inevitable clutter in the garden rather than the kitchen, why not join Alison Dupernex and her ideas for hand dyeing with indigo.

It always seems to be this time of the year when you ask me for details about TWAM (Tools With A Mission). Each year, this Christian charity sends around 20 containers filled with over 300 tonnes of refurbished tools to support local people in their own community. TWAM will take manual, electric and treadle sewing machines, knitting machines including yarn and needles, lots of haberdashery such as needles, cottons, large material pieces or rolls of fabric plus buttons and zips. They’ll also take tools for agricultural workers, builders, carpenters, electricians, motor mechanics and plumbers, as well as power tools and items from workshops. Children’s educational books are also passed on. Tools with a Mission is at 2 Bailey Close, Hadleigh Road Industrial Estate, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 0UD. Call them on 01473-210220 or visit www.twam.uk

Patricia Dadson runs the Knitaholics club in Romford and there’s a thriving machine knitting community in that part of Essex. Her sad news, just too late for last month’s magazine, was that Edwina Dunham passed away at the end of May aged 73 years. Edwina had been in hospital after a fall and then suffered a stroke. She’ll be missed by all the Essex clubs, as she not only supplied their machines but was willing to demonstrate and deal with problems. Her husband Roy always went with her and he was equally very helpful. We send sincere condolences to Edwina’s family and all those who knew her.

Until next time, have a sunny month and knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE September 2023

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 3rd August

On sale Thursday 10th August

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August 2023 (Issue 307) with Alison Dupernex and Bill King

The cover design on our full-colour August 2023 issue is a comfy-fit top in self-striping yarn and we’ve our usual mix of patterns for men, women and children on standard gauge, LK-150 mid-gauge and chunky machines. With temperatures on the rise, we’ve a good selection of summer tops. Claire Newberry shows how to use some of the sections of the Graphics Studio in DAK and Bill King guides us through the gentle art of turning work on the machine. Alison Dupernex knits a cardigan in Bourette Silk, then hand-dyes with Indigo and we share the story of knitwear designer Ann Blackwell’s move from Nottingham to New York. Dee Crew adds pretty hems to a garment after the main pieces have been knitted and the exceptional talent of Susan Guagliumi offers lots of free help and advice. Think pink! It’s a shade that flatters us all, says Sally-Ann Carroll and Fay Butcher adds a finishing touch to Passap garments. Our mail order shop is open and we always have help and advice in Dear Anne plus news, reviews and club details.

June 2023 update

Dear Readers

I very much enjoy keeping up with Nic Corrigan and her Machine Knit Community (www.mkc.community). Her inclusive, supportive community inspires knitters of all levels through classes, talks and workshops with leading designers and practitioners. Whether you’re a complete beginner, someone returning to their machine or an experienced knitter looking for a challenge, the community has lots to offer. There are workshops you can take at your own pace and step-by-step videos to get you started. Enjoy free technique classes, talks, KALs, challenges and masterclasses, along with access to a global international community. You’ll recognise familiar names such as our own Alison Dupernex, Bill King and Claire Newberry. Along with them and other MKC guest presenters is Kandy Diamond. She’s a designer, artist and senior lecturer at Nottingham Trent University. Kandy teaches across the knitwear and textiles BA courses and she’s also one of MKC’s guest presenters.

Crowood Press has just published her book Discovering Machine Knitting, to help demystify our craft. For years, newbies have been crying out for a book that explains how a machine works, how stitches are formed and how we shape to make garments. Each chapter focuses on different skills and there are lots of projects to put the expertise into practice and make knits for yourself. At the end of each chapter, Kandy includes designer profiles to showcase the work of professional machine knitters. She hopes to inspire newbies and celebrate the huge potential for creativity in machine knitting. From troubleshooting and looking after the machine, to using advanced techniques such as intarsia and shaping, her book will help beginners fall in love with their knitting machine. If you work through all the step-by-step instructions and projects in her book, you’ll be designing and knitting your own garments by the end of it.

Publisher Crowood Press (www.crowood.com) Edition Paperback ISBN 978-0-71984-199-6 Size 215 x 260 mm Pages 160 Price £16.99

Readers of Machine Knitting Monthly cover every age group and level of experience anyone can imagine. So if you’re one of our newbies and need a gentle, helping hand, head for Nic’s Machine Knit Community. Make sure you’ve a copy of Kandy’s book close by. They’ll light up your machine knitting journey and fill you with the joy of our craft. Until next month, knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE August 2023

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 6th July

On sale Thursday 13th July

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July 2023 (Issue 306) with Bill King and Barbara Faulkner

The cover design on our full-colour July 2023 issue is a laid-back gilet for an extra layer of warmth and we’ve our usual mix of patterns for men, women and children on standard gauge, LK-150 mid-gauge and chunky machines. Many of this month’s designs are written for larger sizes and we’ve a Half Fisherman’s rib cardigan for all Passap machines. We’ve included Carl Boyd’s much requested flowers which are incredibly easy to knit, along with easy-to-make Dorset buttons. Claire Newberry shares this month’s activity in her studio and Barbara Faulkner’s iconic skirt design has stood the test of time. Bill King ‘waffles on’ about unusual textured stitches and we highlight Kandy Diamond’s new book for newbies. Dee Crew adds Fairisle striped braids to a matching garment and the exceptional talent of Susan Guagliumi offers lots of free help and advice. Linen is in the spotlight for summer, so Sally-Ann Carroll gives our knits a  cool treat. Our mail order shop is open and we always have help and advice in Dear Anne plus news, reviews and club details.

May 2023 update

Dear Readers

I’ve put this issue together with just one thought in mind, ‘Flaming June’ temperatures seem a long way away. As I write it’s cold, wet and miserable here, with hardly a hint of Spring, let alone summer! I think we’ll need an extra layer or two for a few more weeks. Once the weather improves, my plans to go North are still in place. In the meantime, telling you about my recent contact with Neville Bramwell has taken me on a very surprising journey. Writing about Neville has sparked recollections for many of us about Bramwell Yarns, not least the huge shows at Esher. Neville told me that the Esher stand to support Rosemary Sheath and Knitcraft was 100 feet long with a warehouse at the back and needed 12 members of staff to run it.

For a long time, I’ve kept in touch with Barbara Faulkner and her husband Derek. Reading my editorial reminded Derek how Barbara devised her very first Shadow Pleated Skirt design, using Bramwell Artistic or Bonnie’s Sable Crêpe, with Bramwell Silky or Bonnie’s French Crêpe. Neville asked Barbara to appear on the stand at Esher, where she sold her single skirt pattern for £1. They soon needed more supplies of yarn and Derek had to rush down from Birmingham with more patterns. It seems the success led Barbara to use her tailoring skills to adapt to machine knitting and the suit designs followed.

We’ve all noticed the pleated skirt is prominent again. It often features in Sally-Ann’s Style File and several TV presenters and personalities have worn skirts very similar to Barbara’s design. I’m thrilled to let you know that I’ll be reproducing Barbara’s original skirt pattern in the magazine next month. The even better news will be that Barbara’s pattern included instructions for Knitmaster, Jones+Brother and Passap/Pfaff machines. The lengths are a fashionable 27, 29, 30 and 32-34 inches, for a range of hip sizes from 36 to 42 inches and all measurements are fully adjustable. So, head for your stash! You’ll need two cones of Artistic or Sable and a third of a cone of Silky or French Crêpe.

If you’re new to machine knitting, with no idea what I’m talking about, call Nick Traylen at Uppingham Yarns on 01572-823747. He’ll give you excellent advice for yarn substitution. There are actually two shadow pleated skirt patterns. The original design has a wide pleat and the second has a fine pleat with a dropped waist alternative.

Month by month I’ll include all of them and I feel truly honoured to bring you some original patterns from one of machine-knitting’s iconic designers. Until next time, head for your stash!

NEXT ISSUE – July 2023

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 1st June

On sale Thursday 8th June

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy or order a subscription NOW!

June 2023 (Issue 305) with Alison Dupernex and Bill King

The cover design on our full-colour June 2023 issue is an easy comfy cardigan and we’ve our usual mix of patterns for men, women and children on standard gauge, LK-150 mid-gauge and chunky machines. Many of this month’s designs are written for larger sizes. Claire Newberry guides DesignaKnit users through the cable library and Alison Dupernex uses a lovely mix of intense colours for her slip stitch design. Bill King highlights the potential of Half Fisherman’s rib in this month’s Masterclass and Fay Butcher uses a transfer carriage to knit lace. Dee Crew knits knits tuck frills with Card 1 and Steven Jünemann shares more domestic machine knitting techniques he’s used for his International Collection. The exceptional talent of Susan Guagliumi offers lots of free help and advice and Sally-Ann Carroll reminds us it’s holiday time, so combine loose layers with your favourite knits. Our mail order shop is open and we always have help and advice in Dear Anne plus news, reviews and club details.

Bill King UK Masterclass

Bill King Masterclass

The ribber, garter bar and beyond

Elaine Cater tells us that West London Knitting Club is delighted to be hosting an afternoon with Bill King on 9th June. The venue is Open Ealing Art Centre at Unit 14 School Lane, Dickens Yard, London W5 2TD and doors will open at 12.00 noon. Take your own lunch or enjoy a bite at one of the many cafés and restaurants in the area. Tea and coffee will be provided and there will be a sales table with yarn, books and knitting machine accessories.

Bill’s talk is planned from 1.30 to 3.30 pm. The entrance cost for non-members is £5 and you don’t need advance tickets. Open Ealing is a lovely modern venue with an overhead projector, so everyone will be able to see what Bill is doing, as he demonstrates different techniques.

The centre is close to Ealing Broadway Station on the Elizabeth Line, Central Line and District Line. It’s also well supplied with bus routes from places such as Uxbridge, Kingston and Shepherd’s Bush. If you’ll travel by car, there’s a large car park immediately behind the venue. You pay hourly and blue badge holders have three hours free. Another large public car park is nearby, above the shopping centre. The venue is on the ground floor with no steps and the loos are also on the ground floor, so it’s easily accessible for all abilities. For more information, email Elaine at info@elainecater.com

May 2023 (Issue 304) with Alison Dupernex and Bill King

The cover design on our full-colour May 2023 issue is a comfy raglan sweater and we’ve our usual mix of patterns for men, women and children on standard gauge, LK-150 mid-gauge and chunky machines. We’ve also included a much requested 6-piece baby’s layette including a shawl in 3-ply. Diane Wharton shares her life in machine knitting in Design Spot this month and we showcase her new eBook. Claire Newberry takes DesignaKnit users behind the scenes and you’ll love Cables, the new book from  Bill King. Alison Dupernex uses shades of autumn, seascape and shoreline for her trio of jackets and Bill King surprises us with another overlooked technique in this month’s Masterclass. Fay Butcher knits tuck stitch with a Deco card to produce a reversible fabric and Dee Crew knits a rolled-edge braid using tuck stitch. Steven Jünemann shares domestic machine knitting techniques he’s used for his International Collection and the exceptional talent of Susan Guagliumi offers lots of free help and advice. Lace is now a must-have for any knitted wardrobe, so Sally-Ann Carroll points the way. Our mail order shop is open and we always have help and advice in Dear Anne plus news, reviews and club details.

April 2023 update

Dear Readers

It’s been a busy month and we’ve some exciting new items in the magazine, so let’s look at some of them. Read all about Bill King’s new book on Page 10. It’s called Cables and if you’ve met him, you’ll sense the joy and enthusiasm he’s had writing it. Each time a lovely new book comes my way, I’m torn to decide which one to take to the desert island. I’ll have to change the rules and take eight books and one track, plus the luxury of all the machines and paraphernalia I’m allowed. I’m not sure what the music will be, but I guess I’ll have the noise of the sea lapping the shore to keep me company!

Claire Newberry’s new Blog Spot is on Page 47. One month she’ll focus on DesignaKnit and then keep us up-to-date with her blog. We don’t often hear about a designer’s life behind the scenes, so I’m looking forward to having a sneak peek! One such glimpse comes courtesy of Diane Wharton, who’s written an eBook about elongated stitches. Elaine Cater mentioned it and we both agreed that it doesn’t cut across the incredible work of Susan Guagliumi. Diane’s ideas are quite different and can be used, for example, in small projects such as edgings. Perhaps club leaders in need of something new might like to take a look and the details are on Page 48. By the way, Elaine’s club is hosting a talk and demonstration by Bill King in June and details are on Page 11.

Our final surprise is an insight into the amazing work of fashion designer Steven Jünemann, who uses domestic knitting machines for his international collections. For a month or two he’s giving us a glimpse of his current designs. With all that’s in this month’s magazine, I doubt you’ll be searching for much more inspiration!

Finally, let me mention that The Wool Cabin has had a low profile in the magazine for a while. David Hampson had a fall last November, that’s left him with health issues and a fair number of medical appointments. His son Jason is running the shop, in between keeping a close eye on his father. His regular lines and bargain buys are always popular. For opening times or any requests, call Jason on 07553-847483 or email hamps1971@hotmail.com and put The Wool Cabin in the subject box. The shop will be back in the magazine next month and, in the meantime, I send my best wishes to Dave for a speedy and lasting recovery. Until next month, happy reading!

NEXT ISSUE June 2023

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 4th May

On sale Thursday 11th May

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy, or order a subscription NOW!

Free webinar

In celebration of National Craft Month, Hobbycraft is hosting a FREE ‘Introduction to Embroidery’ webinar this Saturday (11th March) from 6.00 to 7.00 pm UK time and you can sign up HERE.

The Hobbycraft Artisan will show you how to stich your way to a wonderful embroidery piece, that will brighten up your home and help you hone your skills. You’ll be shown how to use an embroidery hoop and how to create a stunning design that captures the natural beauty of a bunch of flowers.

Perfect for embroidery beginners, this webinar will introduce a range of stitching techniques including satin stitch, back stitch, French knots, fly stitch, split stitch and more. The variety of stitches will leave your embroidery work with a beautiful and textured finish, adding details that give your needlework more depth.

The Hobbycraft Artisan will take you through each step of the project, guiding you with handy tips along the way. Enjoy mastering these embroidery techniques and expanding your craft skillset with a relaxing craft that’s sure to spark your creativity. 

The session is perfect for those who are hoping to master a new craft, or refine a long-time favourite. Have a great day!