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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

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!

Color changer

Hi Sandra
I’ve just checked on www.metropolitanmachineknitting.co.uk and from the information given the YC5 is for double bed only whereas the YC6 is for either single or double bed. Metropolitan are advertising a secondhand YC5 for £10. Hope this helps
Regards Sue.
Sue P
2013-05-03 11:03:30
Hi Sandra
I have the same model machine and ribber as you and I have a YC6 colour changer as it gives me the option to use the colour changer for Fair Isle or double Jacqard. Hope this is of some help to you.
Best wishes Joy.
dingdongdell
2013-05-03 11:02:44
Hi Sandra
I have had the YC6 for years which I use with the Knitmaster 360. It’s very versatile because you can use it for double bed Jacquard work and for single bed Fair Isle. Hope this is a help to you.
Joy
dingdongdell
2013-05-03 11:04:39
Hi Sandra
I’ve just checked on www.metropolitanmachineknitting.co.uk and from the information given the YC5 is for double bed only whereas the YC6 is for either single or double bed. Metropolitan are advertising a secondhand YC5 for £10. Hope this helps
Regards Sue.
Sue P
2013-05-03 11:03:30
Hi Sandra
I have the same model machine and ribber as you and I have a YC6 colour changer as it gives me the option to use the colour changer for Fair Isle or double Jacqard. Hope this is of some help to you.
Best wishes Joy.
dingdongdell
2013-05-03 11:02:44
Hi Sandra
I have had the YC6 for years which I use with the Knitmaster 360. It’s very versatile because you can use it for double bed Jacquard work and for single bed Fair Isle. Hope this is a help to you.
Joy
dingdongdell
2013-05-03 11:04:39

Toyota 901 needles

Hi
I have a Toyota 901 and have discovered that you can no longer get needles
for this machine. Is there another type of needle that I can use instead?
Thanks, Rachel

Hi Rachel

It’s worth checking the listings on ebay as needles are sometimes advertised.

I don’t know if it’s possible to use other needles – each make and model seem to have their own.

Regards
Sue

Sue P
2012-05-02 16:00:27
Hi Rachel
There are some needles on ebay now.
Sue.
Sue P
2012-05-13 19:52:52
Hi Sue
Thank you. You have been very helpful.
Rachel
Rachel O
2012-05-22 12:26:04

New to machine knitting

I’m on the cusp of buying a knitting machine, I’m probably going to get the Silver Reed SK280. I have never even seen a knitting machine in real life before, so it’s a leap into the unknown for me. I hand knit a lot and I’m at the stage where I want to focus more on designing than spending hours knitting up stockinette in garments. Don’t get me wrong, I know hand knitting is a different craft from machine knitting and I’ll always have some project or other on my needles, but I want to venture into machine knitting. I came across your magazine recently and I wanted to pluck up the courage to say hi and introduce myself. It’s frustrating not being able to read the patterns in your magazine yet, the abbreviations are so different from hand knitting, but I know I’ll learn as I go along. It’s nice to meet you! I hope to meet some new and interesting people along my journey into machine knitting!
Best wishes, Valerie

Hi Valerie
Welcome to Machine Knitting and here are a few suggestions to help you on your way.

Once you get your machine read the manual carefully and learn what all the bits and pieces are. You may have to go through everything several times before you feel happy. Practice using the tools without any knitting on the machine.
Buy yourself a cone of good quality 4-ply; cones are specially made to run smoothly through the machine and the yarn has a different twist than hand knitting yarn. I have tried winding balls of hand knitting yarn to use on my machine and it isn’t very successful. So to avoid aggravation it’s best to start off with a cone of yarn in a colour you like.

Now work your way through the manual. It will show you how to thread the yarn cast on and knit and cast off. It will also explain how to get the correct tension to produce a neat piece of knitting.

The important thing is to get to know your machine and build up your confidence so start with the basics and gradually progress on to the more difficult techniques.
Hope this has given you a few pointers – be warned – machine knitting is addictive!
Regards Sue

Sue P
2012-07-04 17:55:52
Hi
I have two machines – a Silver Reed 860 and the 280 which I enjoy using as I previously started with basics and worked my way up. I’m on holiday at the moment and machine knitting is so addictive that I can’t wait to get back to the machines. I love MKM and wait for it to drop through the letterbox. Sometimes I wonder how I have time to go to work!
Bye Rosie
rosiewright
2012-07-04 17:56:19
Hi Valerie
I had three knitting machines in the 80s and early 90s and I sold two and kept one in the loft until three months ago! I feel like a beginner again but you will find lots of help on-line. There are some tutorials on YouTube which are really helpful. Good luck and happy knitting. Karen
kazbill
2012-07-04 17:57:39

Brother KH840 and the Garter Carriage

Hello all

I’m recently returning to the machine knitting fold and still re-learning the basics with my first garment nearly finished. I only found Machine Knitting Monthly two months ago and ran down to W H Smith to pick up a copy.

I am very much into having everything for my machine so that I am not limited when it comes to patterns. However one piece of kit that I would really like is a garter carriage, however there appears to be conflicting information on the internet as to if one will work on my machine and was wondering if anyone could provide some sage advise for me at all? So far I have read:
The KG88 and the KG88II will work on my machine
The KG88 or KG89 models will work as long as I have the rails
No garter carriages will work
The KG88 or KG88II will work with modifications (but I can’t find out what these are)

As my birthday is coming up, I would very much like to buy myself a carriage off eBay or the pre-loved website, but do not want the disappointment of having to re-sell it as it is not compatible…

Any help or advise that anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Kind regards.

Justin

Hi Justin

If you go to www.scanthecat.com you will find all sorts of information about Brother machines. According to this website your Brother KH840 cannot be used with a Garter Carriage.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-05-09 10:32:05
Hello Sue
Thank you for coming back to me I really do appreciate it. I have had a look at this site and a couple of others and I have come to the conclusion that I will wait until I’m more experienced and then possibly look into purchasing a second hand Brother KH950i which I know will definitely take the garter carriage and will be able to produce more complicated patterning.
Kind regards Justin
poitier
2012-05-22 12:26:04
Hi Justin

If you go to www.scanthecat.com you will find all sorts of information about Brother machines. According to this website your Brother KH840 cannot be used with a Garter Carriage.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-05-09 10:32:05
Hello Sue
Thank you for coming back to me I really do appreciate it. I have had a look at this site and a couple of others and I have come to the conclusion that I will wait until I’m more experienced and then possibly look into purchasing a second hand Brother KH950i which I know will definitely take the garter carriage and will be able to produce more complicated patterning.
Kind regards Justin
poitier
2012-05-22 12:26:04

Advice for computer based knitting machine

Hi
I’m a computer based designer/illustrator and I’d like some advice about purchasing a knitting machine, specifically to make cushions and throws.

I’m looking for a modern knitting machine that is able to connect to a computer (ideally a Mac) so I can use a software based pattern designer to send information straight to the knitting machine. Does such a machine exist? I found that certain software can export in a specific format that certain knitting machines can read. This may do the job, but I assume (maybe ignorantly) that you should be able to purchase such a machine

I’m finding it difficult to find information like how big these patterns can be. I’d like to work with repetitive patterns but also single image. Can consumer knitting machines be used to create throws of a single image? and what is the maximum number of colour I could use?

I guess I’d like to understand whether I can create my own samples before investigating more commercial options.

Can anyone help a complete novice fill in the gaps.

Thank you so much

Scott

Hi Scott

Silver Reed (www.silverviscount.co.uk) are the only company still making knitting machines for the home user.

Their SK840 is a standard gauge electronic machine that can be connected to a computer.

Older electronic machines were made by Brother – see ‘Scan the Cat’ on the web for a comprehensive description of Brother machines.

These two makes have 200 needles 4.5 mm apart.

The Passap E6000 is also an electronic model as are the Singer 624 and 9000. These machines have not been produced for several years but do sometimes come up for sale. These makes have 179 needles 5 mm apart.

I do hope you find what you are looking for and that this information is of some use.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-05-02 16:20:23

Knitmaster HK 160

Hello
I wonder if someone can help me please? I have a Knitmaster HK160 which works perfectly but I’m having trouble getting more punchcards to fit. I contacted Hong Kong and received new needles but they were unable to supply any punch cards. I have 5 pre-punched cards but I’m getting a bit bored with them and would love to punch my own or your designs. The cards have 18 working holes and are of a standard size. Any help or tips you could give me would be appreciated .
Yours hopefully
Jenny Wilson

Hi

I think you may find this website useful: http://thewoolendiva.weebly.com/mk-70-punchcards.html

It explains how to adapt a 24 stitch punchcard for use on the Knitmaster 18 stitch machines. You can download the instructions.

Hope you find it helpful

Sue.

Sue P
2012-04-07 18:36:01
Hi Jenny

There is a set of 10 blank punchcards for this machine on ebay at the moment. The listing ends on July 15th. Starting price is about £10.

Regards
Sue

Sue P
2012-07-09 15:18:37