Category: Meetings

Brief write up of meetings

March 2022 Meeting

Lyn Leventhall

The theme this month was Chunky Knitting machines.  Both the club machine Brother chunky and the Chair’s Zippy 90  a plastic bed machine from the 1980’s were brought along to demonstrate some techniques.

Neither of these chunky’s had any automatic patterning so hand tooling was used to show their capabilities.   Many members already have chunky machines – some with punch card patterning, the old Knitmaster 155 has a 12 stitch repeat whilst a Brother has a 24 stitch repeat.  We also looked at various patterns using chunky’s and discussed yarn choices.

 

April 2022 Meeting and AGM

Lyn Leventhall

The meeting started with the AGM

There were reports from various members of the committee: the Chair, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Webmaster.  Then the club members re-elected most committee members although Margaret our Vice Chair stood down this year.  

After that we had our usual refreshments and then there was a talk and demo by Clare.

February 2022 Meeting

Lyn Leventhall

A jolly meeting when everyone was glad to be together after missing January.  Plenty of show and tell items .

This months theme was machine knitted furnishing fabrics.

This included various cushions and some chair set covers done in a weaving pattern which had proved very hardwearing.

November 2021 Meeting

Lyn Leventhall

An interesting meeting on Circular Knitting.  Frances demonstrate the technique using a standard Brother machine with a ribber.  Most members have a suitable machine and could emulate the things that Frances showed us.

Lyn brought along her Addi Express King size which can make scarves, hats and other items.  For machine knitters this was the first time this circular machine had been demonstrated at club and there was some interest – however the limitations were apparent to everyone familiar with knitting machines as there was no tension facility and so only a limited number of yarn weights could be used successfully.  That said, it is very easy to use and ideal for those knitting large volumes of hats and scarves for family and friends or for charity.

 

October 2021 Meeting

Lyn Leventhall

A very nice crafting evening was held with two subjects – embellishing a gift bag and a crochet garland of stars.

Whilst Gill provided us with the instructions and fabric for the bags, sewing kit and embellishments were provided by several people. We started designing our bags and had brought sewing kits along to attach ribbons and bows as well as cutouts of various Christmassy shapes. These bags will be finished off at home for showing at next month’s meeting.
Margaret showed us how to crochet a star and attach it to second and subsequent ones to create a garland. The pattern was surprisingly straightforward and the results effective.
There were bursts of chatter alternating with near silence as people concentrated on their tasks.

September 2021 Meeting

Lyn Leventhall

At last we were back at the Barn Hall – socially distanced at least at first.  

This was a lovely meeting, with news of absent members and a yarn sale as well as a demonstration.

Lots of us gathered to watch a demo from Tricia who was showing us a Bill King idea from an old Machine Knitting Monthly magazine issue.  It was a time consuming idea where stitches were transferred  by hand, the result was a stunning  pattern that could not be discerned from the right hand side so the process could be error-prone.  

There was a show and tell and Sarah passed around some stunning felted bags we had only seen on Zoom.  Angie had crocheted a super stripey cardigan in a chunky yarn which was also admired.   Let me know if I have forgotten anybody’s work. 

We also had our usual coffee and cake after the demo.

We also have a members challenge – make an interesting scarf /scarves to show at the December meeting.  everyone is encouraged to join in.

Update on Meetings

Lyn Leventhall

Zoom Meetings up to August 2021

During the second part of 2020 and the first part of 2021, members continued to meet virtually using Zoom. This was a very successful “coffee morning” format for keeping in touch and showing our current projects, knitting and other crafts. Most of the members had the opportunity to speak about what they had been doing and generally chat. As no photos were taken it is not possible to create a regular post.

We would especially mention our chair Gill and deputy Margaret who expertly put these meetings together and guided the meetings.

Also we need to thank those who answered the call to make knitted dolls and monsters for children who needed help expressing their emotions and also those in hospital unused to wearing masks. Several members also made huge numbers of scrubs for health workers and many of us made face masks for family and friends.

October 2020 Zoom Coffee Morning Meeting

Lyn Leventhall
Eleven members attended our Zoom meeting and it was wonderful to see and hear what everyone is up to.  Many are knitting as well as sewing and all seem busy.  Barbara showed us a lovely child’s sweater with a snowman on the front, done on the knitting machine.  She has been asked to do three more!!!  She also showed us a lovely cardigan which she had hand knitted.  Angie has been busy creating cupboard art and showed us a wonderful piece of art on the inside of one of her cupboards together with some extra dots on the edge of the door.  She is now going to return to the cupboards that she has already decorated and is going to add art to the edges of the doors.  Her daughter had made 10 beautiful baby blankets to donate to Kingston Hospital.

Clare is concentrating more on her beading, while Anthea has been incredibly busy in the garden.  Tricia is planning more work on her house and this seems to be taking a lot of time.  Beryl admitted that she hadn’t done too much knitting because she has been on two holidays but she had
started to crochet motifs to decorate her washing line.   
Sheila has been sewing a great deal since lockdown and we had a good discussion on the merits of sewing machines and overlockers.  Sarah has also been sewing a lot as well as painting. She also showed us some beautiful knitted and lined bags  which were cut and sewn.  This was a great way to use up a lot of small cones by making stripes. 
Lyn has not been able to get to her knitting machines as her workroom has been taken repurposed as an office for her son.  She is also busy learning to  play golf.  Margaret showed a couple of pairs of slippers which were knitted using a Bill King pattern in the November issue of Machine Knitting Monthly.  She also showed an enormous blanket made from squares of machine knitted felt. 
Various machines and accessories were offered to members from a previous member’s husband.  Unfortunately no one seemed to keen to take in any more equipment – even the Hague Linker didn’t get any enthusiasm. 
Clare asked if she could borrow the yarn twister and Anthea thought she probably had it in her workroom and will look it out. 
During our wide ranging conversations, various recommendations were made:  Truro Fabrics was suggested as they have a wide range of material.  Also the World of Sewing.  Clare recommended the Facebook group called Machine Knitting Showcase which also leads to Knitty Nellies.  Sarah mentioned that she had used corrugated plastic in the base of her bags and Lyn suggested either Hobbycraft or Dunelm  had plastic mesh, although this  may be a little too pliable. 
 
The Knitting and Crochet Guild are starting a new online magazine for machine knitters called “Across the Needlebed”.  This will be produced about 3 or 4 times a year and will only be available to members of the Guild.  The current edition has articles on the Charting Device, how to use a  and knit pattern for machine knitting, From Field to Wardrobe, Who would Want a Passap and a pattern for a raglan cardigan for a 6 month old.  

Finally, there was a request that when we eventually can meet, could we have a session on the use of the overlocker.
 
Ed:  Thank you Margaret for this write up.
 
 

September Meeting 2020

Lyn Leventhall

This  was a now customary Zoom meeting. However, as your webmaster was otherwise occupied there is no detailed write up.

Just the following to note – it has been felt that these meetings on Zoom will continue until at least Christmas given the demographics of the club members.

Margaret gave details of some charity knitting for Kingston Hospital – members should have received and email.  Baby cot and pram size blankets for new Mums.  Email Margaret for details.