Category: blog posts

January 12th 2015 Combining Yarns This meeting focused on methods of using combinations of knitting yarn.  First we looked at ways of plying yarns, from using spinning equipment, then using yarn twisters and stacking cones using a Twisting Yarn stack. We looked at various video clips, from these sources: Plying on a spinning wheel Using…

December 2014   As another year draws to a close, we held our annual exhibition of members’ work, with sales provided by Wendy Piper, and a demonstration of knitweave, which members were also able to practise. The knitweave was demonstrated on the Brother and the Knitmaster machines: Brenda and Jill demonstrating [to each other] Brother…

November 10th 2014 Using Leftover Yarn This was a real mixture of techniques and patterns. We started with suggestions for patterns from our website:  there are quite a few which only take small amounts of yarn. Some of the items laid out before the meeting. Pat showed us a Christmas stocking she had made from…

September 2014 Cut and Sew This was a meeting when several members shared the stage! First, we had Hazel showing us what cut and sew [or rather sew and cut] is.  She led us through the sewing and cutting part, with advice on how and how not to do it. Then June took over with…

August Our first event in August was a dyeing workshop in Lynda’s garden. Although we were a select group of three, we managed to dye a large quantity of yarn, both vegetable fibre [cotton] and animal fibre [wool and cashmere]. This is some of Kathy’s dyeing: And then we had our monthly meeting, the topic…

June 9th 2014 Shape in Machine Knitting This meeting was a chance to look at different shapes in fashion knitwear, and suggestions about how to knit them. Our patterns this month are an attempt to make current shapes: Swoop: a cardigan knitted with an extended shawl collar and a bottom border which meet at the…

Sue Booth Workshop Sue guided participants in knitting a raglan jumper with special techniques in Joining the raglans on the machine Triple picot hems Hand manipulated patterns Crochet-like edgings as well as much more. Everyone learned a lot, and went away exhausted. We are already looking forward to seeing Sue here next year!  Thanks, Sue!

Understanding Patterns We looked at different types of patterns, how to substitute yarns and then how to knit the patterns we want. The demonstration pattern was this month’s Baby Cardigan, which can be downloaded here for a text based version, and here for a schematic type of pattern.  Pat and Fran knitted the front and…