CLUB NEWS
BAIRNSDALE CLUB Update 7/12/2023
Bairnsdale Machine Knitters have been quite productive of late, some very beautiful garments have been made as well as blankets and Christmas Decorations. We will have our Christmas Break Up at the Grand Terminus in Bairnsdale and start again next February. Merry Christmas and best wishes to everyone on Committee and thank you for the wonderful work you do.
Bairnsdale Machine Knitters have been quite productive of late, some very beautiful garments have been made as well as blankets and Christmas Decorations. We will have our Christmas Break Up at the Grand Terminus in Bairnsdale and start again next February. Merry Christmas and best wishes to everyone on Committee and thank you for the wonderful work you do.
BALLARAT MACHINE KNITTERS UPDATE 18/11/2024
Ballarat Club had a knit-in day in November at the home of Rose. The project was a simple cardigan/T-shirt intended to be knitted on the LK150 and along the way learning the importance of knitting a swatch and adjusting the length or width, what happens if you need more stitches than needles, etc.
Compliments were also paid to Janette who knitted herself a fantastic jumper in beautiful Bendigo wool in a lace pattern – hand tooling all the time on the LK150. Well done, Janette.
Ballarat Club had a knit-in day in November at the home of Rose. The project was a simple cardigan/T-shirt intended to be knitted on the LK150 and along the way learning the importance of knitting a swatch and adjusting the length or width, what happens if you need more stitches than needles, etc.
Compliments were also paid to Janette who knitted herself a fantastic jumper in beautiful Bendigo wool in a lace pattern – hand tooling all the time on the LK150. Well done, Janette.
BENDIGO/ELMORE CLUB UPDATE 18/11/2024
Viv Spry has decided to retire from machine knitting, she is 93 years old and has been knitting since 1975. I met Viv when we were both members of the Bendigo Club which was run by May Worthington at her home in the 80’s. After the Bendigo club closed we were invited to join the new club being run by Lynette Bickley in Elmore which has now become Bendigo Elmore Machine Knitters, located in Bendigo. Viv has rarely missed a meeting and was always keen to learn new skills/methods and happy to encourage other member so four Club and passion her vast knowledge when asked for help. She loved reading knitting magazines and sharing tips she learned. Viv did a lot of knitting for charity, children’s jumpers and more recently toys, in particular for the emergency services. I am going to miss Viv’s companionship.Congratulations to Jan Sutcliffe for her winning entry in the Bendigo Agricultural Show:
Viv Spry has decided to retire from machine knitting, she is 93 years old and has been knitting since 1975. I met Viv when we were both members of the Bendigo Club which was run by May Worthington at her home in the 80’s. After the Bendigo club closed we were invited to join the new club being run by Lynette Bickley in Elmore which has now become Bendigo Elmore Machine Knitters, located in Bendigo. Viv has rarely missed a meeting and was always keen to learn new skills/methods and happy to encourage other member so four Club and passion her vast knowledge when asked for help. She loved reading knitting magazines and sharing tips she learned. Viv did a lot of knitting for charity, children’s jumpers and more recently toys, in particular for the emergency services. I am going to miss Viv’s companionship.Congratulations to Jan Sutcliffe for her winning entry in the Bendigo Agricultural Show:
BRUNSWICK/RESERVIOR NOVICES, MINIMALISTS & ZOOM CLUB UPDATE 9/04/2023
You would be forgiven for suspecting that this group had faded out of existence. Regular Zoom sessions were suspended for the Christmas /New Year season and have not yet been resumed.Good intentions for the future:
Resume Zoom sessions, Create some content, Blog, YouTube or whatever medium is accessible, showing simple techniques on simple machines, and the care and maintenance of those machines.
Tie Zoom discussions to knitting and related content, whether created within our group or accessed elsewhere. Continue to provide opportunities for in-person collaboration and skill sharing. Thank you to Denise Chevalier for ongoing excellent assistance to new and returning knitters.
Explore, create and knit clothing designs that support particular life activities or needs.
And of course we will continue to consider obscure and unusual machines, processes and projects whenever they come to our attention.
You would be forgiven for suspecting that this group had faded out of existence. Regular Zoom sessions were suspended for the Christmas /New Year season and have not yet been resumed.Good intentions for the future:
Resume Zoom sessions, Create some content, Blog, YouTube or whatever medium is accessible, showing simple techniques on simple machines, and the care and maintenance of those machines.
Tie Zoom discussions to knitting and related content, whether created within our group or accessed elsewhere. Continue to provide opportunities for in-person collaboration and skill sharing. Thank you to Denise Chevalier for ongoing excellent assistance to new and returning knitters.
Explore, create and knit clothing designs that support particular life activities or needs.
And of course we will continue to consider obscure and unusual machines, processes and projects whenever they come to our attention.
CAMBERWELL CLUB UPDATE 18/11/2024
On the September Club day we covered different edges and members also wanted to know about Charting Devices. During the October Club we covered Charting Devices in more detail and converting hand knitting patterns to Knit Leaders and Knit Radars. Many of our members had knitted and donated to the charity called KOGO (Knit One Give One). It is a good opportunity to knit and relieve us of our excess yarn which has found it’s way into our cupboards. The November Club day is our break-up and we’ll return in February ’25.
On the September Club day we covered different edges and members also wanted to know about Charting Devices. During the October Club we covered Charting Devices in more detail and converting hand knitting patterns to Knit Leaders and Knit Radars. Many of our members had knitted and donated to the charity called KOGO (Knit One Give One). It is a good opportunity to knit and relieve us of our excess yarn which has found it’s way into our cupboards. The November Club day is our break-up and we’ll return in February ’25.
GEELONG CLUB UPDATE 4/8/2023
For our July meeting we decided to try some new techniques, rather than the tried and true for a change. Here is the result. Margaret tried her hand at some entralac, Mandy tried some beading, Pat did some Fairisle she had never attempted before, Norma did a scarf in English rib in a beautiful bamboo yarn, and Roma did some lovely work utilising the magic cable and a new pattern stitch was utilized in the beanies. Roma tried her hand again at the crochet buttons. It was a good meeting even though we were down some members due to school holiday absenteeism. The Geelong girls would like to thank all the clubs who post all their beautiful work in the newsletters. It is an inspiration
For our July meeting we decided to try some new techniques, rather than the tried and true for a change. Here is the result. Margaret tried her hand at some entralac, Mandy tried some beading, Pat did some Fairisle she had never attempted before, Norma did a scarf in English rib in a beautiful bamboo yarn, and Roma did some lovely work utilising the magic cable and a new pattern stitch was utilized in the beanies. Roma tried her hand again at the crochet buttons. It was a good meeting even though we were down some members due to school holiday absenteeism. The Geelong girls would like to thank all the clubs who post all their beautiful work in the newsletters. It is an inspiration
KOO WEE RUP CLUB UPDATE 18/11/2024
As I was not at the October meeting Trish took the photos for me. I think Trish did a fabulous job of the horses head with her E6000 and WinCrea. The demonstration was done by Jackie and she demonstrated smocking on the Passap and how it could be done on Brother/Singer.
Our hands on 3rd Tuesday gets busy at times; here we have Mary helping some new knitters with something on the Brother and Jackie with the Passap and E6000 enthusiasts. It is good to have such interest in the machines. It is a help day, nothing structured, if you have a problem or want to know how to do something you ask and there is always someone that can help.
Our November meeting always falls on Cup Day but we always have a good attendance. Jan Adams demonstrated beading, and several ways of getting them on to the knitting, it made some of us go home and hunt the drawers for the beading tools that used to be available many years ago. Jan did a good job and had many samples of different types of beads etc.
Sheila
As I was not at the October meeting Trish took the photos for me. I think Trish did a fabulous job of the horses head with her E6000 and WinCrea. The demonstration was done by Jackie and she demonstrated smocking on the Passap and how it could be done on Brother/Singer.
Our hands on 3rd Tuesday gets busy at times; here we have Mary helping some new knitters with something on the Brother and Jackie with the Passap and E6000 enthusiasts. It is good to have such interest in the machines. It is a help day, nothing structured, if you have a problem or want to know how to do something you ask and there is always someone that can help.
Our November meeting always falls on Cup Day but we always have a good attendance. Jan Adams demonstrated beading, and several ways of getting them on to the knitting, it made some of us go home and hunt the drawers for the beading tools that used to be available many years ago. Jan did a good job and had many samples of different types of beads etc.
Sheila
KYABRAM CLUB UPDATE 19/11/2024
Since our last newsletter we have had two meetings. In September we went to Colleen’s house and she showed us different ribs with plating and cables and lace. In October Susan held the next meeting and Susan showed how to knit Origami jumpers. I have included a couple of pictures of her jumpers so that you can see what she does. Susan also won a prize at the Bendigo show with the purple jumper. Well done Susan.
Glenda
Since our last newsletter we have had two meetings. In September we went to Colleen’s house and she showed us different ribs with plating and cables and lace. In October Susan held the next meeting and Susan showed how to knit Origami jumpers. I have included a couple of pictures of her jumpers so that you can see what she does. Susan also won a prize at the Bendigo show with the purple jumper. Well done Susan.
Glenda
MALVERN EAST CLUB UPDATE 18/11/2024
We were honoured to be asked to host the MKAV General meeting at our September meeting. Personally I would like to sincerely thank the club members for their support on Saturday 21st with the setting-up and organising, also thanks to other attendees. A great example of MKAV members support for one another. The scout hall was a very different setting the next day as we settled to make full use of our time together, to finish garments & items, inspired by Angela’s amazing demonstration of weaving from previous day. Several blankets were completed on the day, or over the next few weeks. October club demonstration was dropped & long stitches which was an easy hand manipulation one, attempted by attendees at my home. These stitches would make an interesting addition to summer knitwear, or as an overall design. The Craft & Quilt show was held the following week & MKAV were there again, with keen volunteers. Several new members have joined over the weeks since these events, hope they enjoy learning from one another, Also it is amazing the hints & tips learnt from being a volunteer on the day there. An impressive number of members put up their hands to volunteer, a great effort which I would like to acknowledge here. I admire the same support at Malvern East workshops too. Final weekend work shop will be held at Chadstone Scout Hall, towards the end of the month, 23rd-24th November, with the topic of "Summer Knits", perhaps summer will be here first. See you there Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2025 to all.
Elaine
We were honoured to be asked to host the MKAV General meeting at our September meeting. Personally I would like to sincerely thank the club members for their support on Saturday 21st with the setting-up and organising, also thanks to other attendees. A great example of MKAV members support for one another. The scout hall was a very different setting the next day as we settled to make full use of our time together, to finish garments & items, inspired by Angela’s amazing demonstration of weaving from previous day. Several blankets were completed on the day, or over the next few weeks. October club demonstration was dropped & long stitches which was an easy hand manipulation one, attempted by attendees at my home. These stitches would make an interesting addition to summer knitwear, or as an overall design. The Craft & Quilt show was held the following week & MKAV were there again, with keen volunteers. Several new members have joined over the weeks since these events, hope they enjoy learning from one another, Also it is amazing the hints & tips learnt from being a volunteer on the day there. An impressive number of members put up their hands to volunteer, a great effort which I would like to acknowledge here. I admire the same support at Malvern East workshops too. Final weekend work shop will be held at Chadstone Scout Hall, towards the end of the month, 23rd-24th November, with the topic of "Summer Knits", perhaps summer will be here first. See you there Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2025 to all.
Elaine
MOONEE PONDS NEWS UPDATE 19/11/2024
About a quarter of a century ago Jan Edwards ran an Origami Jumper workshop at Viv Head’s house. This year Viv took us through the steps to revisit Jan’s pattern and notes. To make an origami jumper you have to knit two trapeziums. Denise used bold stripes. By adding a zip, Viv turned hers into a jacket. Chris Hand used two self stripping yarns. Sherrill knitted hers at Jan’s original workshop by using 7 ends and swapping out one end for a different colour after so many rows (very much under Jan’s instructions).
In September the club looked at Bargello Lace. In October, Sherrill demonstrated Tuck Lace - what to look out for, when selecting needles and doing tuck lace on a non-patterning machine. Show and Tell from both meetings. It was in Elaine Cater’s Designs posted on 9th September 2021. Elisabeth Elisabeth Kauer found an interesting Bargello Lace pattern on Facebook that explained how she had constructed her scarf using a self striping sock yarn.
About a quarter of a century ago Jan Edwards ran an Origami Jumper workshop at Viv Head’s house. This year Viv took us through the steps to revisit Jan’s pattern and notes. To make an origami jumper you have to knit two trapeziums. Denise used bold stripes. By adding a zip, Viv turned hers into a jacket. Chris Hand used two self stripping yarns. Sherrill knitted hers at Jan’s original workshop by using 7 ends and swapping out one end for a different colour after so many rows (very much under Jan’s instructions).
In September the club looked at Bargello Lace. In October, Sherrill demonstrated Tuck Lace - what to look out for, when selecting needles and doing tuck lace on a non-patterning machine. Show and Tell from both meetings. It was in Elaine Cater’s Designs posted on 9th September 2021. Elisabeth Elisabeth Kauer found an interesting Bargello Lace pattern on Facebook that explained how she had constructed her scarf using a self striping sock yarn.
NORTH EAST VICTORIA CLUB UPDATE 19/11/2024
Since our last newsletter, NE Vic Machine Knitters have been busily getting our entries readied for two other local shows. As we entered into the Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show, we thought that it was a great opportunity to display our items into regional shows nearby to us. So the next show after Bendigo was Wangaratta, our closest in proximity to our Workshop home. The criteria was a little different however, with a little tweaking we were able to put together another tremendous display to show off all the crafts that our group members do other than machine knitting. The 8 items were Hand-knitting, Crochet, Embroidery, Card-making, Patchwork & 3 free choices, so we chose – Machine Knitting, Felting & Pin-loom-weaving. Our dragon’s wings were hand- knitted, the cauldron & flames are crochet, a hoop embroidered tea-cup & butterfly imitating the dragon’s wings, a best-wishes card, an autumn-toned patchwork knee rug, a machine- knitted shrug, wet felted burnt trees & a square pin-loom woven top completed the entry. Thrilled to have won First Place amongst the other lovely exhibits. Wangaratta also have a Machine Knitting section (sponsored by MKAV) for individuals to enter and this year it was well supported. This also was the first year that there was a Most Successful ribbon awarded, which hopefully will encourage more people to enter. Following Wangaratta Show, was Myrtleford show and their criteria was a little less strict. The requirements were 10 pieces of different craft. So we added a machine-knitted lace cowl and a water colour sunset painting to the 8 items and created another display. Different parameters for the dimension of display area produced a different but still cohesive style and design for Myrtleford. We were again very pleased to place 3rd out of all the wonderful creative displays assembled. Our Workshops have been well attended and it’s really great to see all the items that our members are making. We are looking forward to the next months with Christmas not far away and all that we can create & make for a wonderful festive season.
Charmane
Since our last newsletter, NE Vic Machine Knitters have been busily getting our entries readied for two other local shows. As we entered into the Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show, we thought that it was a great opportunity to display our items into regional shows nearby to us. So the next show after Bendigo was Wangaratta, our closest in proximity to our Workshop home. The criteria was a little different however, with a little tweaking we were able to put together another tremendous display to show off all the crafts that our group members do other than machine knitting. The 8 items were Hand-knitting, Crochet, Embroidery, Card-making, Patchwork & 3 free choices, so we chose – Machine Knitting, Felting & Pin-loom-weaving. Our dragon’s wings were hand- knitted, the cauldron & flames are crochet, a hoop embroidered tea-cup & butterfly imitating the dragon’s wings, a best-wishes card, an autumn-toned patchwork knee rug, a machine- knitted shrug, wet felted burnt trees & a square pin-loom woven top completed the entry. Thrilled to have won First Place amongst the other lovely exhibits. Wangaratta also have a Machine Knitting section (sponsored by MKAV) for individuals to enter and this year it was well supported. This also was the first year that there was a Most Successful ribbon awarded, which hopefully will encourage more people to enter. Following Wangaratta Show, was Myrtleford show and their criteria was a little less strict. The requirements were 10 pieces of different craft. So we added a machine-knitted lace cowl and a water colour sunset painting to the 8 items and created another display. Different parameters for the dimension of display area produced a different but still cohesive style and design for Myrtleford. We were again very pleased to place 3rd out of all the wonderful creative displays assembled. Our Workshops have been well attended and it’s really great to see all the items that our members are making. We are looking forward to the next months with Christmas not far away and all that we can create & make for a wonderful festive season.
Charmane
PASSAP CLUB UPDATE 19/11/2024
The year is now ending with only one Club meeting left for 2024. We have had several new members and that has kept us on our toes as we explain the basics (where necessary) on either the E6000 or the Duomatic. This also has meant the demonstrations have included specific instructions for the Duo’s as well. But the knowledge in the Club is immense and so freely shared that we have managed very well. Since the last newsletter we have continued with taking the racking technique further. Last month Janet travelled from Metung and demonstrated Technique 179. So helpful with 2 colour work and the back of the knitting nice and tidy with limited floats. Chris shared the origami jumper from Moonee Ponds Club where they had resurrected this pattern. This encouraged those who had done the workshop way back in 2004 to attempt one – some for the first time even could find their workshop notes. Many brought along their jumpers done in the past and some attempts done recently. We continue to provide knits for charity which is great and it gives us a purpose to use the techniques we are learning (perhaps again). After the General Meeting where Angela shared weaving on the Brother, Jean showed us one of her weaving projects on the Passap.
Kerryn
The year is now ending with only one Club meeting left for 2024. We have had several new members and that has kept us on our toes as we explain the basics (where necessary) on either the E6000 or the Duomatic. This also has meant the demonstrations have included specific instructions for the Duo’s as well. But the knowledge in the Club is immense and so freely shared that we have managed very well. Since the last newsletter we have continued with taking the racking technique further. Last month Janet travelled from Metung and demonstrated Technique 179. So helpful with 2 colour work and the back of the knitting nice and tidy with limited floats. Chris shared the origami jumper from Moonee Ponds Club where they had resurrected this pattern. This encouraged those who had done the workshop way back in 2004 to attempt one – some for the first time even could find their workshop notes. Many brought along their jumpers done in the past and some attempts done recently. We continue to provide knits for charity which is great and it gives us a purpose to use the techniques we are learning (perhaps again). After the General Meeting where Angela shared weaving on the Brother, Jean showed us one of her weaving projects on the Passap.
Kerryn
