Lessons needed
Roy & Jan White
comparison with the more interesting messages.
I have a Knitmaster 328 without a ribber (probably ancient by todays
standards) but in the past I have knitted a number of basic garments for the
family before eventually stowing it in the attic. Recently, having acquired
two more grandchildren, I dragged the monster out again.
It took me ages to remind myself how to even use the thing, but now I
realise I only knew the basics and never ever understood how to use the
knitrader.
I have been told that machine knitting is a thing of the past, but cannot
believe this to be so. Everything turns the circle so I hope a revival is
on the way.
In the meantime I am left with local traders telling me what a waste of time
is trying to find help/patterns and a second hand ribber to go with my
machine. (Please note this item is high on my list).
The local charity shops have been my only source of patterns since
newsagents don't appear to stock machine knitting magazines any more.
I have found the web site suggested by this newsgroup but it doesn't really
give me any practical help.
What I really need is someone in the Fareham, Southampton area who can maybe
offer some advise or lessons. I live in Bursledon which is half-way
between.
I could boringly go on but if anyone local to me uses a knitting machine and
can offer tips on the craft then I'd be most grateful.
Kind regards.
Jan White
Liz Read
Hello. First of all Machine knitting monthly and machine knitting news
are both widely available in the UK. Smith's stock them, although not a
large number, so you have to be there at the right time to get one. I'm
sure your local newsagent would order it for you, or Smiths would keep one
for you.
Patterns: There are 2 mail order companies that I know of that do a good
range of patterns, yarns and spare parts, probably able to get you a
ribber, but I suspect it won't be all that cheap.
BSK phone 01234 217096 will send you a brochure with a list of all their
bits and pieces.
Worth Knitting based in Leeds will send a catalogue on receipt of SAE.
Their address is
Worth Knitting
Wesley Rd
Armley
Leeds LS12 1UH.
I can particularly recommend their own brand acrylic 4 ply for childrens
clothes, it knits up beautifully, IMO, and there is a lovely range of
colours.
I am fairly new to this, myself, and I don't knit anything more than very
basic shapes, I haven't even got the hang of my knitleader, yet. But I
have made lots of children's and babies things which I think are quite
nice (she says modestly). I have a ribber, but personally I don't like
the ribbed welts, and use hems. For cuffs and necks I just let the
stocking stitch roll up, if you look around you will see this is quite
fashionable at the moment.
Does your machine have a punchcard? Jo Newton does lots of nice designs
of animals etc which are nice for children's things, although I think the
floats are a bit long for babies.
I'm sorry I don't know anywhere you can get lessons, but if you get hold
of the magazines there might be an ad in there. Also a lady called Anne
Kite does videos, but I think they are quite expensive. She advertises in
the magazines.
Do you have a local free-ads paper? The type where you pay for the paper
and people put their ads in free? There are quite often machines for sale
in these at really reasonable prices. Check with BSK, if they can get you
a ribber and the price, but you might find it cheaper to get a whole new
machine complete with ribber from a private sale.
I have a knitmaster 360, which I think is just 1 model later than yours
and has a fancy lace carriage, but this bit is missing from mine :( The
machine was given to me, though, so I certainly can't complain about that.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on, and if I can help at all I
will. My knowledge of knitting is a bit basic, but I've found you can do
quite a lot with just the basics :)
Liz
Steph Thornton
Roy & Jan White wrote:
> I have a Knitmaster 328 without a ribber...
> In the meantime I am left with local traders telling me what a waste of time
> is trying to find help/patterns and a second hand ribber...
If you're interested in making your own patterns, then I can recommend
the Knitware Sweater Design for Windows package. Yes I'm the UK agent
for it, but I've also been a very satisfied customer for several years
previous to that!
The package can produce patterns for the Knitmaster machine, as well as
many others, and for handknitting too. You can specify your own sizes
and styles for sweaters, cardigans, waistcoats, tops, and vests, and
produce a pattern in literally seconds. The UK price is £39.99 for the
full version and £19.99 for an upgrade version if you have an older
registered copy of the software.
If you'd like more information, email your postal address to me at
knit...@jt-design.com, and I'll gladly send you the details.
Hope this helps, and good luck in your search for a ribber!
Steph. :-)
-------------------------------------
Steph Thornton in1...@wlv.ac.uk
http://www.wlv.ac.uk/~in1036
UK Knitware agent - knit...@jt-design.com
http://www.islandnet.com/knitware/
Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England
-------------------------------------
Pam
White <jr....@virgin.net> writes
>I have been told that machine knitting is a thing of the past, but cannot
>believe this to be so. Everything turns the circle so I hope a revival is
>on the way.
>machine. (Please note this item is high on my list).
>The local charity shops have been my only source of patterns since
>newsagents don't appear to stock machine knitting magazines any more.
>
>I have found the web site suggested by this newsgroup but it doesn't really
>give me any practical help.
>What I really need is someone in the Fareham, Southampton area who can maybe
>offer some advise or lessons. I live in Bursledon which is half-way
>between.
>
>I could boringly go on but if anyone local to me uses a knitting machine and
>can offer tips on the craft then I'd be most grateful.
>
>Kind regards.
>Jan White
>
Machine knitting is not on its way out in my house! It is still alive
and kicking but not quite so much. There are two machine knitting
magazines that are still published "Machine Knitting News" and "Machine
Knitting Monthly". Any good newsagent will order them for you (my small
local newsagent gets them specially for me). I have also seen them in
our local branch of W.H. Smiths. There are several places on the
Internet where you can get free machine knitting patterns. If you are
interested I will e-mail you some sites to visit.
If you manage to get hold of some magazines you will find addresses of
firms who will supply things like second-hand ribbers, etc. BSK do
this.
I have a Knitmaster 360 with ribber, which I think is similar to a 328.
Anyway I have a KnitRadar and use it quite often. Its a godsend when
you can't achieve the tension in a written pattern. I don't live near
you, I'm in North Yorkshire, but will willingly help with any questions
you like to e-mail.
Best of Luck.
--
Pam
John Lambeth
videos on machine knitting, as for a ribber and patterns you will
find these advertised in mags mentioned by Liz Read. You could a
also write to them and ask if there are any clubs in your area.
Best wishes - Rita.
Roy & Jan White wrote in message
<7k0u5u$prp$1...@nclient3-gui.server.virgin.net>...
Marion Pearcey
from "Roy & Jan White" <jr....@virgin.net> contains these words:
> I am new to this newsgroup so forgive me if my problem seems inane in
> comparison with the more interesting messages.
No problem is inane, it is nice that you have approached this group,
as there is alway someone who can help.
> I have been told that machine knitting is a thing of the past, but cannot
> believe this to be so. Everything turns the circle so I hope a revival is
> on the way.
Yes machine knitting is in the doldrums at the moment, but lets hope
you are right about the circle!!
a second hand ribber to go with my
> machine. (Please note this item is high on my list).
Until you get one a mock rib is quite good.
> I could boringly go on but if anyone local to me uses a knitting machine and
> can offer tips on the craft then I'd be most grateful.
Good luck,
--
Marion
do...@zetnet.co.uk
Maureen Pinwill
I was fortunate enough to have bought my Knitmaster 360 (Lace) when machine
knitting was in full swing. Went along to knitting machine fairs held at
Highbury, I forget the name of the college now but I used to come back by
ship to Jersey, much to my husband's despair, with bags of wool. (It is the
wool he despaired about thankfully - he was pleased to see me back - I
THINK) (LOL)
Anyway what I am trying to say is, I have a number of Knitmaster machines,
326, 328 and a 360. I started to collect them. I even have an antique
PASSAP! Strangely enough I kept all of the old books. Much to my husband's
despair again, because when we moved house we spent a fortune storing all my
so called rubbish in a warehouse for five weeks.
As I kept these old machine knitting books and some of the patterns that go
with them I may be able to help someone. I can remember learning how to
cast on by hand and getting a very good look alike rib effect. I have a
kind of encyclopedia of terms, a book written by some famous machine knitter
for shadow sideways skirts, weaved and otherwise, also sideways knitted
sweaters (dolmen sleeves). Knit Radar, tension advice, etc. l have to go up
into the loft and look through all these things. I know I shall have to
look at the machines because having been stored for so long they will need a
service. Luckily I was taught to strip down my machine, I just hope I can
get the parts if I need them. If nothing has gone rusty I shall be OK.
Remember I am no expert I just have a lot of books and willing to share the
knowledge.
Regards Maureen Pinwill
There used to be a very good knitting machine shop near Heathrow somewhere
Roy & Jan White <jr....@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:7k0u5u$prp$1...@nclient3-gui.server.virgin.net...
> I am new to this newsgroup so forgive me if my problem seems inane in
> comparison with the more interesting messages.
> I have a Knitmaster 328 without a ribber (probably ancient by todays
> standards) but in the past I have knitted a number of basic garments for
the
> family before eventually stowing it in the attic. Recently, having
acquired
> two more grandchildren, I dragged the monster out again.
> It took me ages to remind myself how to even use the thing, but now I
> realise I only knew the basics and never ever understood how to use the
> knitrader.
>
> I have been told that machine knitting is a thing of the past, but cannot
> believe this to be so. Everything turns the circle so I hope a revival is
> on the way.
> In the meantime I am left with local traders telling me what a waste of
time
> is trying to find help/patterns and a second hand ribber to go with my
> machine. (Please note this item is high on my list).
> The local charity shops have been my only source of patterns since
> newsagents don't appear to stock machine knitting magazines any more.
>
> I have found the web site suggested by this newsgroup but it doesn't
really
> give me any practical help.
> What I really need is someone in the Fareham, Southampton area who can
maybe
> offer some advise or lessons. I live in Bursledon which is half-way
> between.
>
> I could boringly go on but if anyone local to me uses a knitting machine
and
> can offer tips on the craft then I'd be most grateful.
>
> Kind regards.
> Jan White
>
>
>
>
>
>