January 2025 update

Dear Readers

Throughout almost 39 years as your Editor and Publisher, I’ve not often written about my personal life, but last September was a special highlight. Back in February 2024, I had an invitation to a wedding. Someone I’ve worked with on the magazine, every week of every month for 16 years, told me that he was to be married. I’ve known Nick and his partner Cora since August 2008, when Nick took over as our Graphic Designer. He asked if Neil and I would like to come to the wedding, but quickly added that it would be in Germany. It took me no time at all to accept. The dates were a long way ahead so we’d lots of time to plan, especially as both of us needed to keep the magazine on schedule.

The last time Neil and I had a proper holiday was in June 2017, when we headed back to America to stay with Susan Guagliumi and her husband. So we decided to combine the wedding with a holiday and made plans to go up into the Austrian Tyrol, to a health spa in the mountains. As excited as I was, I decided to keep things under wraps, except for telling one other person on the magazine. Not having been to a wedding for many years, I’d need something to wear. As our Fashion Editor at the time and one of my best friends, who better to help me find the perfect outfit than Sally-Ann? Around this time she became a little unwell, but we giggled with glee at the prospect of a shopping expedition. We decided we’d turn it into a Style File feature for the magazine, but little did we know that we’d never make that shopping trip. Her untimely death in June 2024 was a huge shock for us all.

As you’ll read on Page 10, the weather did its utmost to disrupt the day. However, there was never a chance Storm Boris would win and I didn’t let the side down. Yes, my new wedding outfit stayed in the suitcase and machine knitting won the day! At the last minute I’d packed a much-loved outfit Iris Bishop made for me a while ago and it kept me toasty warm from morning till night.

I know you’ll all join me in sending our warmest congratulations to Nick and Cora. May their next 20 years be filled with as much love and joy as their first. To be sure, as one year draws to an end and another begins, let’s all wish each other a happy and peaceful New Year, filled to the brim with good health and good fortune.

NEXT ISSUE February 2025

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 2nd January

On sale Thursday 9th January

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January 2025 (Issue 324) with Bill King and Marie Bruhat

The cover design on our full-colour January 2025 issue is a warm gilet, with lots of options for mix and match. We’ve our usual mix of patterns for standard, mid-gauge and chunky machines. Our winter classics include a cosy chunky oversized cardigan, measuring 52 or 62 inches all round. In Masterclass, Bill King enjoys some partial knitting using a technique many of us will remember and it’s the final Part 4 of our mini series on Charting Devices. We shine the spotlight on Marie Bruhat, a French knitwear designer living and working on the remote Scottish island of Fair Isle. She’s launched a new Academy to teach the intricate craft of Fair Isle to a global audience and we’ve a special reader offer.  Alison Dupernex and Susan Guagliumi (https://susan-guagliumi.teachable.com/) are our constant help and support and we’ve all the usual advice, news and reviews.

December update

Dear Readers

This month our knitting news stretches across the country, from Fair Isle in the Shetlands to St. Ives in Cornwall. We’re happy to remind residents in Cornwall that they can buy an annual £10 pass for unlimited year-round entry to Tate St. Ives, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. This year’s Winter Festival takes place at Tate St Ives on the 23rd and 24th November from 10.00am to 4.00pm and celebrates people of all ages coming together creatively. At the heart of the Festival, local choirs will be singing carols in the galleries. There’s a discounted entry cost of just £1 and it’s free for under 18s. Full contact details are in Clubline on Page 10.

            Our news from the far North is that designer Marie Bruhat, who we showcased in Spotlight in the June 2021 magazine, has a new online Academy. Her designs have always embraced the authentic style of Fair Isle, but she’s given them a modern twist on her Silver Reed punchcard machine. Marie works with over 80 colours of fine Shetland wool, which is spun and dyed on mainland Shetland. Marie will show us every aspect of knitting Fair Isle and the course is exclusively available on the Machine Knit Community. As part of joining the Academy, you get three months’ free access to the MKC, where you can make the most of all the other MKC content. There are live presentations, classes and a video vault of all previous events, with more videos than you’ll have time to watch in three months! I’ve been speaking with Nic at the MKC and Marie, to bring you a Spotlight feature about this new venture next month. In the meantime, Clubline on Page 10 has more details.

            There really is a lot going on in the machine knitting world right now and perhaps it won’t be too long before our craft is back on TV again. The hand-knitters are leading the way with a new Channel 4 series (see Newsline on Page 6) to join The Great British Bake Off and The Great British Sewing Bee. Next month I’ll look back at a wonderful holiday and wedding this year and look forward to a New Year filled with exciting things in machine knitting. Until then, knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE January 2025

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 5th December

On sale Thursday 12th December

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December 2024 (Issue 323) with Bill King’s Gold Star design

The cover design on our full-colour December 2024 issue is a beanie hat, cowl collar and matching gloves. We’ve our usual mix of patterns for standard, mid-gauge and chunky machines, including five big Christmas stockings to knit, along with a good selection of seasonal classics. Our highlight is Gold Star, your all-time favourite Bill King design. In Masterclass, Bill shares his Christmas Card offering for this year and we’ve included the promised baby Christmas outfit. We’ve festive pop-up dolls, an Iris Rowe Gingerbread Man to knit and the comfiest woman’s oversized sweater you’ll ever make, measuring 52 or 62 inches all round. We share ‘tricks of the trade’ in Part 3 of our mini series on Charting Devices and we’re still making waves in this month’s DesignaKnit Special using Stitch Designer’s Curve Tool. Alison Dupernex and Susan Guagliumi (https://susan-guagliumi.teachable.com/) are our constant help and support and we’ve all the usual help and advice, news and reviews.

November update

Dear Readers

We’ve just returned from holiday and I’ve had to hit the ground running to finish this issue on time. So, news and photos of our holiday will have to wait!

Whilst I was away, I received one important item and I don’t want it to slip through the net. So let me tell you that a short course starts on the City Campus of Nottingham Trent University on 12th October. Called ‘Domestic Machine Knitting For Beginners’, it will run on a Saturday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm for two weeks. It’s beginner level, no experience is required and the cost is £295. You’ll also have full use of the University’s modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software during the course. Brother or Silver Reed machines are provided, or you can take your own machine if you prefer. This course offers intensive instruction on domestic knitting machines. It will introduce you to thinking creatively about using a machine at home or at work and will focus on producing work with a contemporary perspective. It’s ideal for anyone just starting out, or returning to machine knitting after a break. You may know a young person showing lots of interest in our craft, such as a student or graduate looking to add machine knitting to their CV and portfolio. Anyone over the age of 18 interested in textiles and crafts and considering investing in a domestic machine will be very welcome. Please pass on the word and visit www.ntu.ac.uk for full details.

This month we’ve a treat for everyone with DesignaKnit 9. Our special feature takes you through all the stages of making a stitch pattern. So, if you’ve dithered about using this amazing software, turn to Page 49 and take a deep breath… your adventure is about to begin! Follow the step-by-step guide and, I promise, you’ll soon have the confidence to create your own patterns.

Finally, if you knit for tiny tots, head for your stash and have a trial run at Carole Dunkerley’s cute baby cardigan, hat and bootees on Page 52. I’ve included a sneak peek of next month’s adaptation to turn it into a fabulous Christmas outfit. Until next time, knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE December 2024

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 7th November

On sale Thursday 14th November

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November 2024 (Issue 322) with Bill King’s Fan Dango design

The cover design on our full-colour November 2024 issue is a cropped slipover, that’s perfect with jeans and worn over a cool white jumper. We’ve our usual mix of patterns for standard, mid-gauge and chunky machines, including a previously unpublished Carl Boyd sweater and a good selection of seasonal classics. Our highlight is another Bill King design and this month it’s his Fan Dango pattern, that’s perfect for party time. In Masterclass, Bill produces an Op Art look knitting Double Jacquard and passes on hints and tips. We’ve a cute baby cardigan knitted all-in-one and it’s a trial knit for a gorgeous baby Christmas outfit coming next month. We’ve reached Part 2 of our mini series on Charting Devices and a fabulous DesignaKnit Special using Stitch Designer’s Curve Tool. Alison Dupernex and Susan Guagliumi (https://susan-guagliumi.teachable.com/) are our constant help and support and we’ve all the usual help and advice, news and reviews.

October update

Dear Readers

Have we had summer? It seems to have been and gone without many of us noticing! To come back down to earth with a bump, Iris Rowe reminds us that October is here, with her seasonal Hallowe’en pumpkins and Nic Corrigan has held her second Machine Knitting Retreat in the heart of the Pennines. On Page 10, we join the MKC behind the scenes at their recent 6-day workshop holiday. To help and support MKM readers with their machine knitting, Nic has given us a very special offer. The Community opens its doors for new members just three times a year, but membership of the Machine Knit Community is available to MKM readers immediately, as well as a one-month free trial. Two exclusive on-line Zoom classes are also included in the offer, but you need to hurry. The first is Victoria Salmon’s live class on the 11th September on Plated Ribs. You’ve a little more time before the first of two Bill King classes on Double Bed Jacquard. His first class, on the 25th September, will cover the basic mechanics and method. There are no strings attached. All you have to do is head for https://tinyurl.com/MKMFREE and register before the free trial offer expires on the 6th October. There’s more to discover on Pages 11 and 19 and I’m wholeheartedly supportive of Nic and the Machine Knit Community.

In Dear Anne on Page 12, I’m very happy to thank Ann Wallington for finding the original design Carole Dunkerley adapted for her pop-up dolls’ pattern last month. I’m equally grateful to Carole for further adapting it, so we can make a start on some ‘seasonal’ knitting soon. Yes, it’s that time of the year again!

Finally, I need to let you know I’ll be on holiday for a chunk of September. Neil and I are going away for a couple of weeks, but not before I’ve finished the November magazine! It’s for a very special and happy occasion and there may even be a photo or two, but you’ll have to wait until the December issue to discover what we’ll be doing. Until then, knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE November 2024

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 3rd October

On sale Thursday 10th October

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October 2024 (Issue 321) with Bill King’s Spider’s Web design

The cover design on our full-colour October 2024 issue is a longer length gilet, that’s great worn with trousers or leggings. We’ve our usual mix of patterns for standard, mid-gauge and chunky machines, including a Carl Boyd man’s sweater and a great ‘coatigan’ pattern in 10 sizes for Passap or Pfaff E6000 or Duo 80 machines. Our highlight is another Bill King design and this month it’s his Spider’s Web pattern, to potentially use up 100 cone ends! In Masterclass, Bill eases us into a new knitting season with a fresh look at tuck lace and Card 3 variations. In Part 7 of the Ruth Horrocks series, we work out how to create a tailor-made pattern when we don’t have a charting device. Alison Dupernex and Susan Guagliumi (https://susan-guagliumi.teachable.com/) are our constant help and support. Joan Lafferty looks at the pros and cons of the yarns machine knitters are often tempted to buy and we’ve all the usual help and advice, news and reviews.

September update

Dear Readers

A week or two ago I joined other ‘funeral fashionistas’ in respecting the wishes of our late Fashion Editor Sally-Ann Carroll. We gathered at her funeral, wearing a rainbow of bright colours, to celebrate her life. If a funeral could ever be called ‘happy’, this was one such occasion. As we went into the church, her sons had prepared the board that you’ll see on Page 14. It had us all smiling as we remembered our own favourite sayings. Shortly into the service and perhaps sensing the atmosphere of the sea of colour in front of him, the vicar said: “I know you’re in church, but you can clap”! Our tears of sadness turned into tears of joy and her sons treated us to a gleeful walk through the life of their amazing mother.

 Sally-Ann and I worked together for years before she started writing for the magazine. Back then we had a photo shoot each month and she soon became our permanent Fashion Stylist. She was always full of fun, extremely hard-working and could turn any ill-fitting jumper into something ‘very fashioney’. We talked through the idea of a feature showing how to combine an old knit with up-to-date styling, for an on-trend look that wouldn’t break the bank. She always had her finger on the pulse of current fashion and kept us up-to-date with the latest trends. She showed us how to give a jaded sweater a new lease of life, when we couldn’t bear to throw it away and told us when to dig out an old check skirt from the back of a wardrobe to be bang on trend. At first her feature didn’t go down at all well. ‘It’s taking up two pages that you could use for another pattern’ was a typical comment at the time, but we persevered. Gradually, she won us over and we all came to love her. The letter from June in Dear Anne is typical of the many tributes you’ve passed on and I’m most grateful that you’ve taken the time to express your sympathy.

We all pass on our sincerest condolences to her husband Mike, sons Toby and Sam and their families. Rest in peace Sally-Ann and your much-used (and loved!) quotes are on my office door. They’ll be a constant reminder of the fun and laughter you brought into all our lives.

NEXT ISSUE October 2024

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 5th September

On sale Thursday 12th September

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September 2024 (Issue 320) with Bill King’s waterfall design

The cover design on our full-colour September 2024 issue is a short, boxy jacket with ribbed sleeves. We’ve our usual mix of patterns for standard, mid-gauge and chunky machines, including a Carl Boyd man’s sweater. Our highlight is another Bill King design and this month it’s his seamless waterfall top. In Masterclass, Bill also reminds us to take a second look at our mistakes, as they often have the makings of something interesting. We’ve a great use for empty cones, turning them into pop-up dolls and we’re changing the sleeve shape of our personal fitting pattern in Part 6 of the Ruth Horrocks series. Alison Dupernex and Susan Guagliumi (https://susan-guagliumi.teachable.com/) are our constant help and support and we’ve all the usual help and advice, news and reviews.