Dear Readers
If you’re in need of some seasonal therapy and would like to knit something nice to wear or make as a gift, then take heart and pick up the December issue. I received a letter today from a reader who tells me that she’d collected her copy from her newsagent on the Friday morning. By teatime the following day Bill King’s top had been knitted, finished off and steam pressed.

She says, “the pattern is brilliant, easy to knit, fits well and I can see other possibilities coming up in different yarns. As you say in the article it can be knitted quickly and when everyone has finished their Christmas knitting it will take no time to knit up for oneself”. It’s really heartening to feel that we’re helping and inspiring your machine knitting so positively and many thanks to Janet for taking the trouble to write.

I think the winds of change will blow through our machine knitting shows in 2012. For the reasons I’ve mentioned before, Croydon and Chepstow have to take second place to the Olympics and I’ve decided not to go back to Rochdale. This still leaves us with Bournemouth going ahead on 3rd March 2012 and I do hope that as many of you as possible will come. Alan will soldier on with Nottingham on 15th April and again, please try to support him if you live within striking distance. However, to be realistic, is it any wonder we no longer make plans to go to a show? The cost of petrol increases every time we fill up, our roads are busier than ever and none of us is getting any younger to cope with the stress and strain of driving long distances.

The world’s biggest shop is available 24 hours a day and it never closes. With the click of a mouse button, we can buy anything we need for machine knitting on the Internet and mail order delivers it to our door without us leaving home. So I’ve had to carefully consider whether there’s any point in keeping dedicated machine knitting shows going. There’s an old Chinese proverb which says, ‘when the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills’. I think I also have these choices. Do I stop all the shows, build a brick wall and settle down behind it with my magazine, or do I find a different way to bring machine knitters together for a fun-filled and inspiring day out? I’m already making plans for something new in 2012 and I’ll share it with you very soon. The foundations of my windmill are already laid, with the sails set square to the wind! Have a very happy New Year, that’s filled with good health and happiness throughout 2012.

NEXT ISSUE
February 2012
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Thursday 5th January
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Dear Anne
I think I may not have told you that I organise the Crafters' Market every Tuesday in the car park at the Taverners in Godshill.

We also do a lot of summer fairs and fêtes so my knitting machines are working constantly, especially the garter carriage and I just hope they don't wear out! Since I’ve been doing the Crafters Market selling my knitwear, lots of people have said, “I have a knitting machine but haven't used it because I couldn't get on with it”. My reply was simply, buy Machine Knitting Monthly and they could soon be knitting garments like the ones I am selling. I always take a copy with me and there was quite a bit of interest in the magazine so let’s hope the sales will go up!
Best wishes from Linda Collins on the Isle of Wight

During November there will be Saturday knitting courses at Arts Alive, Crickhowell in Wales. Please see the link for full details. http://artsalivewales.org.uk/wp/2015/machine-knitting/

I am trying to create interest in using the knitting machine as a creative tool. I also run sessions at my workshop, please contact me for details.

http://www.melissawarren.co.uk
http://www.lemonblues.co.uk
http://www.craftmaker.co.uk/melissawarren

Hi
Are there any machine knitters or would be machine knitters within travelling distance of Ayr?

We start back after the summer break on Tuesday 6th September for show and tell, demonstrations and anything related to machine knitting. We're a friendly group with a wealth of knowledge and experience in machine knitting and look forward to welcoming you to our club. Meetings are held at Kyle Academy, Ayr and please e-mail Maggie at for further information.

Dear Anne
Just to let you know that Yateley Machine Knitting Club is still very much alive after 33 years.

Although our numbers are low, we’ve recruited several enthusiastic new members over the last year. As funds are diminishing we run the meetings among ourselves with only one speaker a year. We’ve been doing ‘Back to Basics’, as we believe that we all need this from time to time however long we’ve been knitting and it’s proving very popular. We’ve a monthly competition with everyone voting for their favourite (with tiddlywinks!) and points are awarded towards a yearly winner. We also have a charity night and a Christmas meal.

If anyone is interested in joining us on the second Wednesday of the month (except August) from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm in Room D1.6 at Yateley School, please contact me on 01252-660250 or e-mail . I’d also like to mention that Jenny Barker and I have started knitting classes as these seem to be very thin on the ground. We have our own building and can offer group or individual tuition. Great magazine so keep up the good work. Best wishes from Sandra Cornwall