If you’d like to become one of our Knitting Buddies, get in touch with Anne at the usual address and here are a few details. Our volunteers give help and advice to beginners or those returning to machine knitting after a long break. If travelling distances are not too great, they may even sit with you whilst you develop some basic knitting skills. Knitting Buddies are not trained professionals, so please don’t take advantage of their generosity by overloading them with your queries and remember also not to ask for or expect the impossible! It’s a free service for our readers and we ask you to keep your calls short. If you need comprehensive advice, simply make arrangements to call back at a time that’s convenient.
New Carl Boyd pattern
The pattern is written in seven bust sizes from 32 to 44 inches and has one of Carl’s signature necklines and pretty sleeve detail. The instructions are written for punchcard or electronic machines with a ribber and lace carriage. It costs £5 including postage and will be available to download from www.carlboyd.com
New Carl Boyd pattern
The pattern is written in seven bust sizes from 32 to 44 inches and has one of Carl’s signature necklines and pretty sleeve detail. The instructions are written for punchcard or electronic machines with a ribber and lace carriage. It costs £5 including postage and will be available to download from www.carlboyd.com
Knits to fit and flatter
Although it’s a hand knitting book, sizes are from 32 to 34 inches up to 48 to 50 and measurement diagrams are included to give us an idea of the basic width and length required to achieve the look. Jane Ellison is a talented British designer with considerable success in knitwear design and she began designing for Debbie Bliss in London. The designs she’s created are innovative, modern and fun yet always totally wearable and it’s a great book for inspiration.
David & Charles, Brunel House, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 4PU
0870-990 8222
http://www.davidandcharles.co.uk
Publisher David and Charles Edition Paperback ISBN-10 0715331469 ISBN-13 9780715331460 Size 265 x 210 mm Illustrations 200 colour photographs Pages 128 RRP £14.99
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Getting ready for MKLive Rochdale
I’ve included a lovely story from Irene Krieger in this month’s magazine. A friend of hers was inspired to create an amazing four-panel mosaic, by a tea set given to her parents. When she was small she’d been fascinated by the picture on it and wanted to preserve the spirit of her childhood memory. I remember when Carl Boyd was giving lectures a while ago that he talked along similar lines. To create something original for yourself, find something that you love for the colour and it may be some china, a birthday card or picture. Whatever it is, match as best you can the colours in the object and then use those colours for your knitting. You’ll find it really does work and next time you need some inspiration, why not take a leaf out of Irene’s friend’s book? On similar lines, do look at Ann Matthew’s Alpaca designs in Newsline. Ann is a Knitting Buddy and she worked with a breeder to develop the yarn. Ann loved the warm, natural colours as well as the texture and feel. That, in turn, inspired her to make some gorgeous garments. It wasn’t easy going and Ann had to switch between standard gauge and chunky machines, as well as fiddle around a lot with the tension. However, her hard work has paid off and she’s produced a fabulous collection.
Problem casting on
This always happens when knitting from right to left, no matter how slowly the carriage is taken across the beds. It doesn’t happen when knitting on the main bed only. I have checked the brushes and they seem okay. I have sprayed the cones with silicone and I have fed the yarn through my yarn twister. The machine is in good condition and is clean. All the signs indicate a problem with the ribber carriage, but I am at a loss to fathom out what might be the problem. Can anyone help?
Thanks Vicci Self by e-mail
Twist the three strands together for approximately length of cast on. This normally solves cast on problem.
videogirl
2009-09-28 20:29:38
Wanted. A Machine Knitting Club in Leicestershire
Can anyone help me to find a machine knitting club anywhere in Leicestershire, or alternatively put me in touch with other machine knitters in the same area that might be interested in forming a club of our own as I would like to share my hobby with others of like mind.
I live in Loughborough in Leicestershire but don’t mind traveling short distances with my machine if it is neccesary.
There is a knitting club in leicester – the contact details were in the April issue. They meet at the west end neighbourhood centre on the 1st and 3rd friday of the month 7 to 9.30.
Hope that helps – if you have April’s copy of mkm contact details are on page 11.
olivers nana
2010-04-11 09:48:28
Machine Knitting Live 2009 at Bournemouth
It was indeed exceptional, except for one thoroughly mean act brought to my attention at the end. One of the stands hoped to sell a couple of wool winders. They had been donated and the proceeds were to be donated to a worthy cause. £10 was asked for one that holds a plastic cap and the other was £7.50. The show was very crowded and the exhibitor couldn’t always see what was going on at the other end of her stand. When the crowds cleared, the £10 wool winder had gone and not been paid for. Perhaps it was unintentional or maybe too tempting when other winders were being sold at the show for around £30? It left all of us wondering how much more stock had gone the same way. Surely the vast majority of knitters are honest and fair minded? This miserly person won’t ruin it for the rest, but it was a bitter pill to swallow on an otherwise lovely day.
On to happier things and I managed to have a quick word with Beryl Jarvis. We were all thrilled to know that Jeffery now has a permanent job. He’s proudly showing off the medals he won in China on the front of a leaflet for the Special Olympics in Leicester in July this year. (Lord Mayor’s Special Olympics Appeal, Leicester Games 2009 Ltd, c/o A12 New Walk Centre, Welford Place, Leicester LE1 6ZG.) Beryl also mentioned that Uppingham Summer School will take place again this year from Monday 10th to Friday 14th August. We’ll include full details next time, but one of the courses fills quickly and they often have to turn people away. Beginners and experienced knitters are welcome and Brother punchcard machines are available, or take your own. If you can’t wait until next month, contact Uppingham Summer School, 34 Stockerston Road, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9UD, telephone 01572-820800 or visit www.uppinghamsummerschool.co.uk
Also received just too late for Newsline this issue was a note from Dorothy Hughes who is Regional Officer for GMK. She’s organising an exhibition at Living Crafts in Hatfield from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th May 2009. This is held in the grounds of Hatfield House. We’ll see Dorothy at the Nottingham Show so if there’s any more information, we’ll include it next time.
3ply Raglan Sleeve Cardigan.
Christmas is on the way!
We’ve another fabulous idea worked out on the machine by Dianne Bunyan and you’ll find her pattern for a scarf and hat on page 24. Diane has produced a fascinating stitch design that shows on the right side and is completely hidden on the reverse. This means that the beanie can be pulled down and worn as a plain navy hat, or have the brim turned back to show the intricate eyelet holes with a navy backing. Any small pattern repeat of six rows can be used and it really is a new technique to try. Our packed issue has meant we’ve had to hold over news from Anne Reid about Undy YarnCrafts’ move to a country park outside Lydney. We’ve also had to postpone Norman Whitfield’s return to our pages, but they’re both waiting in the wings.
Our cover design this time is from Clair Crowston and knitted in a gorgeous DK acrylic yarn from James C Brett. Marble is 100% acrylic in 15 marled and variegated colourways. Texere is selling it online, so it’s sure to be a website winner as well. At just £1.75 per 100g ball, you’ll just go into the third ball and there can be no grumbles at looking as good as our cover girl for £5.25!
Finally, don’t miss Carl Boyd’s easy-to-make clutch bag on page 16. You need just 100 grams of yarn plus a few bits and bobs to be bang on trend. There’s still time to check if there are any vacancies for Carl’s Hands On week at Metropolitan. The date is Monday 23rd to Friday 27th November, from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm each day, at a fee of only £175. Call Carol Hocknell now on 01270-628414 to see if she can fit you in. Carl will be with them for the whole week as a tutor. It’s a unique opportunity to absorb and put into practice his innovative ideas. If you wish you can make this bag or any of his designs, with his special finishing touches and expert guidance.