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!

New subscriptions

NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS Our magazines are mailed to subscribers on the first Thursday of the preceding month, so our May issue was mailed on Thursday 6th April.

If you’d like a monthly subscription to the magazine and order by or on 1st May, your subscription will start with the June 2023 magazine.

Orders received on or after 2nd May will start with the July 2023 magazine. No money is taken with your order and July will be mailed out to subscribers on Thursday 1st June.

If you’d like to start with an earlier magazine, please buy it as a back issue and you’ll find it in our shop.

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!

New subscriptions

NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS Our magazines are mailed to subscribers on the first Thursday of the preceding month, so our April issue was mailed on Thursday 2nd March.

If you’d like a monthly subscription to the magazine and order by or on 1st April, your subscription will start with the May 2023 magazine.

Orders received on or after 2nd April will start with the June 2023 magazine. No money is taken with your order and June will be mailed out to subscribers on Thursday 4th May.

If you’d like to start with an earlier magazine, please buy it as a back issue and you’ll find it in our shop.

March 2023 update

Dear Readers

As we celebrate the 37th birthday issue, I’ve very much enjoyed talking to Neville Bramwell. He’s now 90 years old and a little frail, but still strong. Joan’s ‘old hands’ will certainly remember him and the heady days of our craft. Since the business closed, there’s been no substitute for Bramwell’s Fine 4-ply. Fellow pioneer Mary Weaver suggested to Neville that if he could find a way to produce three ends of 2/30s as one strand of yarn on a 500 gram cone to fit a 44-inch chest, machine knitters were ready and waiting! At that time England couldn’t produce it, so the first cones came from Italy and the statistics are impressive. At the height of demand, we had 84 colours in Fine 4-ply alone. There were 24 cones in a carton, a 40-foot container held 800 cartons and, as fast as they could be filled, containers were shipped to places such as Canada and the USA, Russia and both Perth and Sydney in Australia. That’s an impressive number of 4-ply cones! Neville’s three children Tony, Peter and Alison continue to support him and with 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, it’s still pretty much a ‘family affair’. In a month or two, I’ll drive North to visit Neville and also see the mega hotel complex now built on the site of Holmes Mill in Clitheroe, Bramwell’s home for ten years.

Jean Richardson runs the Bromsgrove MKC and she’s sent me the sad news that Pat Stanton has passed away. Over more years than I can remember, Pat was a great ambassador for machine knitting. Jean had known her since the early 80s, when machine knitting was at its height. Pat had a vast knowledge of all things ‘machine knitting’ and willingly shared it. I know I’m not alone in remembering Pat from her numerous visits to knitting clubs around the country. She drove to some clubs during the day and, up to a few years ago, would think nothing of loading up her car and setting off to give one of her evening talks. Pat loved to visit the shows and, in the early days, enjoyed many busy days out. Two favourites were the Thornbury Show near Bristol and Nottingham.

Pat produced a series of booklets covering many aspects of machine knitting, along with organising Bromsgrove Machine Knitters. She brought her knowledge and experience to many demonstrations then, sadly, her health began to deteriorate. However, ‘her’ club continues and they’ve welcomed some new faces recently. The members will continue to talk about Pat and remember her lasting legacy to the club and our craft. She’ll be hugely missed and many will mourn her passing, as will I. Rest in peace, Pat.

Finally, my very sincere thanks to you all, for your lasting support over 37 years. It’s made it possible for me to continue to publish my magazine, for the craft I love. Until next month, knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE May 2023

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 6th April

On sale Thursday 13th April

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

February 2023 update

Dear Readers

It’s been under wraps for a while, but the covers are off and Nic Corrigan’s new book has been published. She set out to guide beginners and intermediate machine knitters through all the stages of Fair Isle. From personal contact, Nic and I know that everyone loves Fair Isle, but knitters of all abilities often struggle. How do we get a punchcard to the right place for the second side of neck shaping? How do we restart when we’ve made a mistake? How do we match the side seams and shape shoulders? Nic set out to give readers the confidence to work out their own Fair Isle patterns and incorporate them into any machine knit. Without a doubt she’s done it. If you’ve a punchcard machine, my best advice is to replace the Fair Isle section in your instruction manual with her book. Nic’s Machine Knit Community is packed with monthly challenges, live events and classes with guests such as Alison Dupernex and Bill King. Do join, to meet and be inspired by other machine knitters from all over the world.

Do you plan to go to The Stitch Festival this year? It takes place at the Business Design Centre in Upper Street, Islington, London N1 0QH from Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th March. Tickets are on sale and MKM readers can claim a discount of £2 off standard adult and concession tickets, if booked before 11.59 pm on Wednesday 22nd March 2023. Advance adult tickets are £16.50, concessions are £15 and the discount code is MKM23. For full terms, conditions and details, visit www.thestitchfestival.co.uk

            Finally, I’ve received news from Leicestershire Machine Knitters, formerly Manor House Knitting Club. It’s with much sadness they’ve learned that Jean Brotherhood, a founding member of the club, has passed away. Amongst other roles over many years, Jean was treasurer of the club and a very talented knitter, who willingly passed on her expertise to lots of new members. In the months before the pandemic hit, Jean’s health began to fail and sometimes it was difficult for her to get to meetings. Then, during lockdown, she went to live with her son Simon in Kent and sadly wasn’t able to return to her home in Leicestershire. Simon logged her into some of the club’s Zoom meetings and it was lovely for the current members to see her face-to-face again. I’ve known Jean for as long as I can remember and she was such a lovely lady. We’d often chat and put the world to rights, so I’ll miss her hugely and I know all the club members and old hands from Manor House times will, too. I send my sincere condolences to everyone who knew Jean, especially to Simon and all the family.

NEXT ISSUE April 2023

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 2nd March

On sale Thursday 9th March

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Knitting for Ukraine

How we can help

With permission, we’ve copied this from the website of the UK Hand Knitting Association. Our April 2023 issue includes lots of basic hat patterns and an even easier tube sock.

Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine many knitters and crocheters have been wondering what they can do to help. Getting items in to the country is complicated and knowing where they would do most good is almost impossible for us as individuals.

UK Hand Knitting was contacted recently by St Andrews Motor company in Huddersfield with the perfect solution. The company set up Huddersfield to Ukraine, Humanitarian Aid and have been fundraising, accepting and distributing  aid to the people of Ukraine since March 2022.

The team reached out to us because they are desperately short of socks and beanie hats for the soldiers at the front line and for civilians in need. They are asking crafters to help make these items.

The socks must be at least 75% wool because the soldiers put them on overnight to keep their feet dry and warm, this helps with trench foot. They don’t need heel shaping but can simply be a knitted tube with one end sewn closed to keep feet warm.

Beanie hats can be made using any fibre, but they MUST ONLY be dark grey, navy, khaki, dark brown or black.


The UKHKA basic beanie pattern is a quick knit for a warm hat

The UK Hand Knitting website has free patterns for hats, a DK sock and a tube sock that you can use.

Visit http://ukhandknitting.com/knitting-for-charity/charity-knitting-patterns

The address to send knitted or crocheted items to is:
St Andrews Motor Company
273 Leeds Road
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire HD1 6NS

March 2023 (Issue 302) with Alison Dupernex and Bill King

The cover design on our full-colour March 2023 issue is a comfy cardigan with ribbed trims for a snug feel and we’ve our usual mix of patterns for men, women and children on standard, LK-150 mid-gauge and chunky machines including four family classics in our tuck and stocking stitch series. Six fabulous hats and scarf designs by Alison Dupernex use tiny amounts of lots of colours, so head for odds and ends in your stash. Bill King loves to get the most effect for the least effort and this month he’s certainly jazzed up a few cables! Fay Butcher’s new monthly techniques series for Passap knitters looks at tuck stitch patterns and variations. Dee Crew starts a new series, each month sharing her own original hems and edgings that have never been published before. Ruth Horrocks shows us how to use punchcards or electronics, to help with hand-tooled lace patterns on machines without a lace carriage. The exceptional talent of Susan Guagliumi offers lots of free help and advice and denim has re-invented itself so Sally-Ann Carroll has found perfect pieces for wearing with your knits at this time of year and into the warmer months to come. Our mail order shop is open and we always have help and advice in Dear Anne plus news, reviews and club details.

January 2023 update

Dear Readers

This issue always arrives when mounds of Easter eggs replace piles of sprouts in the supermarket. We always have to go to press very early, so let me remind you of one or two things which may slip through the net.

Pat Banyard Smith is Chairman of Long Buckby Machine Knitters and the club is preparing to welcome Bill King in April. If you’ve not visited the club before, you can look forward to a lovely afternoon in the company of fellow knitters. It’s a very friendly group, with the kettle on for free tea and coffee when you arrive. Bill is an absolute genius on a knitting machine and everyone can look forward to an afternoon of magic. Take your own lunch and spend time browsing around the tables, before Bill’s demonstration and talk. They welcome other clubs, so if you fancy a day out, you’ll receive a very warm welcome. There’s no need to pre-book tickets, but do let Pat know you’re coming so she can make you especially welcome. All the details are in Clubline on Page 11.

We’ve some splendid plans for next month’s magazine, including a fabulous feature from Ruth Horrocks. She’ll show us how to move a 24-stitch punchcard design or electronic pattern diagonally across a garment. If you can’t wait, she published her book last month, so it’s now available. You’ll find details on Page 45, or visit www.chartingheaven.co.uk

Are you a member of the Machine Knit Community? It’s a fabulous online space for machine knitters of all abilities. Nic Corrigan and her team will help you to become the machine knitter you want to be. Members have access to a treasure house of all previous live events, with guest speakers and classes from Bill King, Ria Burns, Marie Bruhat, Alison Dupernex, Kandy Diamond and many more. Nic offers modern designer-level knitting patterns, step-by-step classes and a superb online support network. You’ll find her at www.machineknit.community and it’s a place to meet and be inspired by other machine knitters from all over the world. If you’re a current member, you’ll have heard Nic’s splendid news… but, I’m not going to spill the beans just yet. Hopefully you’ll read all about it in next month’s magazine, so don’t miss our March issue.

NEXT ISSUE

March 2023

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 2nd February

On sale Thursday 9th February

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

February 2023 (Issue 301) with Alison Dupernex and Bill King

The cover design on our full-colour February 2023 issue is a cosy hat and matching hand warmers to keep you snug and warm. We’ve our usual mix of patterns for men, women and children on standard, LK-150 mid-gauge and chunky machines including lots of designs with locked-in warmth. Anne Baker’s Karabee Design knits up quickly with a garter carriage and optional ribber and we show you how to knit the perfect hat with a brim. Five great designs by Alison Dupernex will keep you toasty warm and, as usual, you’ll use up lots of odds and ends. Forget Swiss darning this month, when Bill King shares his simple technique for knitting three colours in a row and Fay Butcher’s new monthly techniques series for Passap knitters looks at stitch patterns and variations. The exceptional talent of Susan Guagliumi offers lots of free help and advice and trousers are the perfect partner to your knitted wardrobe, so Sally-Ann Carroll has rounded up all the latest shapes to help you and your knits stride out in style. Our mail order shop is open and we always have help and advice in Dear Anne plus news, reviews and club details.