Dear Readers...

It’s time for a mini celebration as MKM reaches its 22nd birthday. Back in 1986 little did I think that we’d still be going strong, albeit the last title remaining that’s dedicated to machine knitting. It’s also deeply rewarding to have Joan Lafferty with me, who transferred her allegiance to stand by my side when I left MK News to start my own magazine. Trade friends including B Hague & Co, Metropolitan and Yeoman supported my first magazine and still fly the flag in this issue. Machine knitting may not be the most popular craft, but its supporters have remained steadfast and intensely loyal. No words can convey my thanks to a great number of you, who have bought every issue of the magazine since April 1986.

Now let me give you a progress report on Carl. He’s had his stem cell transplant and been transferred to a hospital nearer home, to remain in isolation for three more weeks. He has to be monitored closely and everyone has fingers and toes crossed that he’ll pull through and make a full recovery. Just before he went into hospital, he sent me another design and it’s lovely, with beads threaded through the cables. I’ll include it as soon as I can set up a session to photograph it on a model.

Just in time for this issue, I’ve had lots of response for hand-knitted knee warmers (see Wendy Wade’s letter on page 24 last month). One reader’s version in stocking stitch with holding position shaping and rib at both ends constantly fell down. Another tried double knitting for speed, but during wear the rib stretched too much and they rolled down. One reader tried acrylic for easy washing but the knee warmers pilled badly and stretched during wear, even though they were pulled into shape after washing. Yet another style needed to have elastic threaded through the top and bottom edges to keep them in place and this cut off the blood supply when the wearer fell asleep. Taking into account all your comments, I hope these instructions will fit the bill for Wendy’s friend. I’ve adapted a very old basic pattern and it seems that what’s needed is some fine 3-ply wool in a tight 1x1 rib, with a stretchy cast on and cast off edge. Pure wool will retain elasticity and keep the wearer’s knees warm and you’ll need approximately 100 grams of any suitable 3-ply yarn plus a pair of 2.75 mm or 3.00 mm (UK No 12 or No 11, US Size 2) knitting needles. Don’t worry too much about the tension.

TO KNIT

Cast on 81 sts and work 42 rows in rib as follows:
1st row: K 2, * P 1, K 1; rep. from * to last st, K 1.
2nd row: * K 1, P 1; rep from * to last st, K 1.
Rep 1st and 2nd rows 20 times more. (Length can be adjusted to cover more of the leg, if required.)

SHAPE KNEE

Next row: Rib 43, turn.
Next row: Rib 5, turn.
Next row: Rib 7, turn.
Next row: Rib 9, turn.
Cont thus, working 2 more sts on every row until 20 sts rem not worked at each end of needle.
Working 1 more stitch on every row, cont as before until 16 sts rem not worked at each end of needle.
Working on centre 49 sts, cont as follows:
Next row: K 1, rib 45, work 2 tog, K 1, turn.
Next row: K 1, rib 44, work 2 tog, K 1, turn.
Next row: K 1, rib 43, work 2 tog, K 1, turn.
Next row: K 1, rib 42, work 2 tog, K 1, turn.
Next row: ** K 1, work 2 tog, rib 39, work 2 tog, K 1, turn; rep from ** until 5 sts remain, then using same needle knit up 22 sts along side of knee shaping and rib across remaining 16 sts.
Next row: Rib 43, knit up 22 sts from other side of knee shaping, rib across remaining 16 sts (81 sts).
Next row: K 2, * P 1, K 1; rep from * to last st, K 1.
Next row: * K 1, P 1; rep from * to last st, K 1.
Rep these 2 rows 20 times more. (Length can be adjusted at this stage to cover more of the leg, if required.) Cast off loosely and join seam.

That’s about it for this time so until next month, happy reading and knitting.