CLUB NEWS
BALLARAT CLUB UPDATE 29/11/2025
We had a weaving focus in August. There was a lot of fun, and trial and error, to have success on the range of knitting machines.
Our September focus has been on lace and thread lace designs using both punch cards and hand manipulation techniques. Again, this involved quite a bit of problem solving and experimenting with yarn, colour and various punch cards. A new sponge bar in one machine worked wonders - this was the result of helping each other and working together.
Members were busy during the October meetings with creating and experimenting with punch card designs.
Group members are developing skills and some wonderful knitting pieces are being produced. We welcome new member Michelle. The Ballarat group are looking forward to continuing our knitting/ learning journey together in 2026 and have begun planning our schedule.
We wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and New year.
We had a weaving focus in August. There was a lot of fun, and trial and error, to have success on the range of knitting machines.
Our September focus has been on lace and thread lace designs using both punch cards and hand manipulation techniques. Again, this involved quite a bit of problem solving and experimenting with yarn, colour and various punch cards. A new sponge bar in one machine worked wonders - this was the result of helping each other and working together.
Members were busy during the October meetings with creating and experimenting with punch card designs.
Group members are developing skills and some wonderful knitting pieces are being produced. We welcome new member Michelle. The Ballarat group are looking forward to continuing our knitting/ learning journey together in 2026 and have begun planning our schedule.
We wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and New year.
BENDIGO/ELMORE CLUB UPDATE 29/11/2025
Here is some show and tell from our last meeting, done by 2 of our newer members. The socks and the two brown hats were made by Wendy as she explores what can be done on her, new to her, Singer machine. The blue jumper and hat were done by Brida on a LK150 machine. Jan Sutcliffe and Anne Grearly modelling hats which they had hand knitted.
Jan King
Here is some show and tell from our last meeting, done by 2 of our newer members. The socks and the two brown hats were made by Wendy as she explores what can be done on her, new to her, Singer machine. The blue jumper and hat were done by Brida on a LK150 machine. Jan Sutcliffe and Anne Grearly modelling hats which they had hand knitted.
Jan King
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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.
KOO WEE RUP CLUB UPDATE 29/11/2025
September :- This month Viv demonstrated her way of knitting both sides of the V neck at the same time also complicating it (for most of us) by putting a cable along the neck edge. We shall see how many turn up with garments made like this. We also had a call out from a children and babies’ charity that we knit for “Olivia’s Place” in Drouin for young babies knitted sleeping bags. We had great discussion over the month and we produced some that were more than acceptable. Also we gave 60 baby jackets in size 6 0’s to 0. They are always so grateful for our support.
October:- Sonia was the demonstrator this month and she showed us how to do “feather and fan” on the machine, also demonstrated a ripple scarf.
November:- We have our meeting on the first Tuesday of the month and November is always on Cup Day but we still have it and run a Cup Sweep also. We had 26 members in attendance this month which meant plenty of show and tell. Also we had had both the Maffra and Sale Shows, at which many of us enter. Our demonstrator was Jan and she showed us how to make fancy pot pouri hats, to knit for little Christmas gifts.
Sheila
September :- This month Viv demonstrated her way of knitting both sides of the V neck at the same time also complicating it (for most of us) by putting a cable along the neck edge. We shall see how many turn up with garments made like this. We also had a call out from a children and babies’ charity that we knit for “Olivia’s Place” in Drouin for young babies knitted sleeping bags. We had great discussion over the month and we produced some that were more than acceptable. Also we gave 60 baby jackets in size 6 0’s to 0. They are always so grateful for our support.
October:- Sonia was the demonstrator this month and she showed us how to do “feather and fan” on the machine, also demonstrated a ripple scarf.
November:- We have our meeting on the first Tuesday of the month and November is always on Cup Day but we still have it and run a Cup Sweep also. We had 26 members in attendance this month which meant plenty of show and tell. Also we had had both the Maffra and Sale Shows, at which many of us enter. Our demonstrator was Jan and she showed us how to make fancy pot pouri hats, to knit for little Christmas gifts.
Sheila
KYABRAM UPDATE 29/11/2025
Wrap up for Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show.
Susan Varapodio did a wonderful job acquiring prizes in several categories as per attached photo. Congratulations Susan. 1st Garment or Outfit 2nd Child’s Garment Highly Commended Any other Article 3rd Garment/outfit using commercial yarn or fabric.
August meeting. Members brought along their socks they had been working following the June demonstration. A discussion re issues eg. Sizing, toe shaping and grafting. Beatric stepped in to demonstrate her grafting technique. Colleen demonstrated Racking with a crochet look.
September meeting we welcomed Glenda back from her holiday around Australia. She was right back in demonstrating techniques on the Singer machine to a new member who has acquired a machine from her mother. Leonie demonstrated another method of socks on the flatbed.
Show and Tell: A variety of socks. Dennis had items he had worked on his LK150. Leonie child’s jumper. Glenda’s version of the cardigan from Alison Dupernex. Handknitted child’s cardigan from Beatrice. A couple of our members have been busy entering garments into the shows, Shepparton and Bendigo. It is great to see that they support the local shows and I congratulate them on their efforts. WELL DONE GIRLS. The last couple of months we have demonstrated drop stitch, how to knit a scarf without it curling ( Diana Sullivan’s edge), mini Christmas stockings & fine edges on ribs. This was our last meeting for the year, we get together again in January for a luncheon. Above are some photos of our show and tell. I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy new year, and look forward to seeing what you have made next year.
Glenda
Wrap up for Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show.
Susan Varapodio did a wonderful job acquiring prizes in several categories as per attached photo. Congratulations Susan. 1st Garment or Outfit 2nd Child’s Garment Highly Commended Any other Article 3rd Garment/outfit using commercial yarn or fabric.
August meeting. Members brought along their socks they had been working following the June demonstration. A discussion re issues eg. Sizing, toe shaping and grafting. Beatric stepped in to demonstrate her grafting technique. Colleen demonstrated Racking with a crochet look.
September meeting we welcomed Glenda back from her holiday around Australia. She was right back in demonstrating techniques on the Singer machine to a new member who has acquired a machine from her mother. Leonie demonstrated another method of socks on the flatbed.
Show and Tell: A variety of socks. Dennis had items he had worked on his LK150. Leonie child’s jumper. Glenda’s version of the cardigan from Alison Dupernex. Handknitted child’s cardigan from Beatrice. A couple of our members have been busy entering garments into the shows, Shepparton and Bendigo. It is great to see that they support the local shows and I congratulate them on their efforts. WELL DONE GIRLS. The last couple of months we have demonstrated drop stitch, how to knit a scarf without it curling ( Diana Sullivan’s edge), mini Christmas stockings & fine edges on ribs. This was our last meeting for the year, we get together again in January for a luncheon. Above are some photos of our show and tell. I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy new year, and look forward to seeing what you have made next year.
Glenda
MALVERN EAST CLUB UPDATE 29/11/2025
Warm welcome to Paula, Samartha, Sarah and Adrian, plus their two lovely girlsWe shared our lunch with these six new attendees today at our November workshop. When I look back at our club archives our members have had an interesting few months, clubwise plus bi-monthly week-end workshop. Our twenty years birthday went unnoticed earlier in the year so we celebrated with a demo of by Elaine, of Bill King's interesting work in MKM June, 2025. Also, we enjoyed a lovely "Welcome Table” meal at Phoenix Park Neighbourhood Centre, where we held our "Show and Tell" after lunch. Great publicity exercise, as attendees admired our Machine knitwear. Cheryl showed us how to use Avocado kernals, which we had saved for months, to dye some beautiful autumn shades of yarns. Hope everyone has been able to use their hanks of yarn to Machine knit some unusual knitwear for friends, or themselves.
We continue to learn new techniques each month, this burden has been lightened for me, this year by members rotating as demonstrators. Thanks ladies. Merry Christmas and a Wonderful 2026
Elaine
Warm welcome to Paula, Samartha, Sarah and Adrian, plus their two lovely girlsWe shared our lunch with these six new attendees today at our November workshop. When I look back at our club archives our members have had an interesting few months, clubwise plus bi-monthly week-end workshop. Our twenty years birthday went unnoticed earlier in the year so we celebrated with a demo of by Elaine, of Bill King's interesting work in MKM June, 2025. Also, we enjoyed a lovely "Welcome Table” meal at Phoenix Park Neighbourhood Centre, where we held our "Show and Tell" after lunch. Great publicity exercise, as attendees admired our Machine knitwear. Cheryl showed us how to use Avocado kernals, which we had saved for months, to dye some beautiful autumn shades of yarns. Hope everyone has been able to use their hanks of yarn to Machine knit some unusual knitwear for friends, or themselves.
We continue to learn new techniques each month, this burden has been lightened for me, this year by members rotating as demonstrators. Thanks ladies. Merry Christmas and a Wonderful 2026
Elaine
MOONEE PONDS NEWS UPDATE 29/11/2025
September: Coral Hassett gave us a very informative demonstration on how to set, prepare yarn, cast on and knit correctly on plastic circular knitting machines. Club members were encouraged to bring along their machines to practice on whilst receiving expert tuition and advice.
Listed here are Coral’s six tips:
Six tips for using plastic circular knitting machines
1. Anchor your machine – turning the handle becomes much easier if you aren’t also holding it down and it frees your other hand for tensioning.
2. Learn how to cast on correctly – if your knitting falls off on the third row, this is the issue. Alternate in front and behind every other needle on the first row.
3. Tension is absolutely everything. Let the yarn run loosely through your hand to moderate tension and ensure you pick up any knots so they don’t break your tensioner or yarn guide.
4. If the handle is stiff, don’t force it. Often you just need to look to the left of the yarn feeder (and also right if in panel mode) and manually push the stuck stitch down over the needle with your finger.
5. Using a drill attachment will break your machine. If you must motorise your machine, use a motor that connects directly into to the machine rather than over the handle.
6. Watch lots of tutorials on YouTube for tips, patterns, and inspiration. Many patterns and ideas are transferrable to flatbed knitting.
A big thank you to Coral for her demonstration. We all had a lot of fun on our various circular knitting machines. I think the expressions on everyone’s faces tell you how much they enjoyed this day.
October: After travelling all around the coast of Australia Sheila Briggs came to October Moonee Ponds Club meeting on her way home. Sheila showed us some beautiful children’s cardigans she had knitted. We all loved her use of colour, especially the way she mixed the colours in the photo. Sheila demonstrated how to do floatless Fair-Isle to achieve geometric shaped patterns. Many people had not seen this done before and were impressed to see that multiple colours could be used and no floats were on the reverse side.
Angela
September: Coral Hassett gave us a very informative demonstration on how to set, prepare yarn, cast on and knit correctly on plastic circular knitting machines. Club members were encouraged to bring along their machines to practice on whilst receiving expert tuition and advice.
Listed here are Coral’s six tips:
Six tips for using plastic circular knitting machines
1. Anchor your machine – turning the handle becomes much easier if you aren’t also holding it down and it frees your other hand for tensioning.
2. Learn how to cast on correctly – if your knitting falls off on the third row, this is the issue. Alternate in front and behind every other needle on the first row.
3. Tension is absolutely everything. Let the yarn run loosely through your hand to moderate tension and ensure you pick up any knots so they don’t break your tensioner or yarn guide.
4. If the handle is stiff, don’t force it. Often you just need to look to the left of the yarn feeder (and also right if in panel mode) and manually push the stuck stitch down over the needle with your finger.
5. Using a drill attachment will break your machine. If you must motorise your machine, use a motor that connects directly into to the machine rather than over the handle.
6. Watch lots of tutorials on YouTube for tips, patterns, and inspiration. Many patterns and ideas are transferrable to flatbed knitting.
A big thank you to Coral for her demonstration. We all had a lot of fun on our various circular knitting machines. I think the expressions on everyone’s faces tell you how much they enjoyed this day.
October: After travelling all around the coast of Australia Sheila Briggs came to October Moonee Ponds Club meeting on her way home. Sheila showed us some beautiful children’s cardigans she had knitted. We all loved her use of colour, especially the way she mixed the colours in the photo. Sheila demonstrated how to do floatless Fair-Isle to achieve geometric shaped patterns. Many people had not seen this done before and were impressed to see that multiple colours could be used and no floats were on the reverse side.
Angela
NORTH EAST VICTORIA CLUB UPDATE 29/11/2025
The NE Vic Machine Knitters group recently created a beautiful collective display for the Bendigo Wool Show back in July, which then went on to represent us in the Group Competitions at both the Wangaratta and Myrtleford Shows. We’re delighted to announce that we placed 1st at both! — and at Myrtleford, our display was also awarded Best Exhibit, a wonderful recognition of everyone’s hard work. Our individual pieces came together seamlessly, showcasing a vibrant mix of colours, techniques, and both hand and machine-knitted work, including other crafts as well. The result was a stunning display that truly reflected the creativity, skill, and teamwork within our group.
Well done, ladies — an outstanding achievement for us all!
With the show season behind us, our attention now turns to Christmas. Our next gathering will be our Christmas luncheon – Monday 15th December, where we celebrate our love of craft by exchanging a hand-made Christmas tree decoration. Each year the creativity, variety, and care put into these decorations amazes me — and I’m sure this year will be no different. We’ll be taking our usual break over the New Year, with our first meeting for 2026 scheduled for February. You can find all of our upcoming dates in the 2026 calendar. We’d love to welcome new members in the year ahead — whether you’re an experienced knitter, just getting started, or simply curious about machine knitting. Our workshops are friendly, supportive, and full of creativity, and there’s always something new to learn (and plenty of laughs along the way!). If you’ve been thinking about joining us, 2026 is the perfect time to come along and get involved.
Charmane
The NE Vic Machine Knitters group recently created a beautiful collective display for the Bendigo Wool Show back in July, which then went on to represent us in the Group Competitions at both the Wangaratta and Myrtleford Shows. We’re delighted to announce that we placed 1st at both! — and at Myrtleford, our display was also awarded Best Exhibit, a wonderful recognition of everyone’s hard work. Our individual pieces came together seamlessly, showcasing a vibrant mix of colours, techniques, and both hand and machine-knitted work, including other crafts as well. The result was a stunning display that truly reflected the creativity, skill, and teamwork within our group.
Well done, ladies — an outstanding achievement for us all!
With the show season behind us, our attention now turns to Christmas. Our next gathering will be our Christmas luncheon – Monday 15th December, where we celebrate our love of craft by exchanging a hand-made Christmas tree decoration. Each year the creativity, variety, and care put into these decorations amazes me — and I’m sure this year will be no different. We’ll be taking our usual break over the New Year, with our first meeting for 2026 scheduled for February. You can find all of our upcoming dates in the 2026 calendar. We’d love to welcome new members in the year ahead — whether you’re an experienced knitter, just getting started, or simply curious about machine knitting. Our workshops are friendly, supportive, and full of creativity, and there’s always something new to learn (and plenty of laughs along the way!). If you’ve been thinking about joining us, 2026 is the perfect time to come along and get involved.
Charmane
Pic #1: NE Vic Machine Knitters 1st place entry in Wangaratta Show
Pic #2: NE Vic Machine Knitters 1st place & Best Exhibit entry in Myrtleford Show Pic #3: Ruth Wolfel's pin loom weaving neck piece/scarf
Pic #4: Margaret McDiarmid's knitted neck piece/scarf & sheep & owl
Pic #5: Shelley Hanley's "using up scraps" jumper
Pic #6: Lesley Menere's green scoop neck vest
Ashley with her beautiful garments
PASSAP CLUB UPDATE 29/11/2025
What fun we are having trying new things to us at least. Last month we had a fantastic arrange of knits from a variety of flat beds through to our Passaps’. Following on from Elaine’s demo we set to work on the article from Machine Knitting Monthly (Feb 2023) by Fay Butcher looking at stitch pattern and variations. Our demo last month was the final sample in this article after 2 rows on knitting the front bed stitches were dumped (released). A couple of the other samples required us to concentrate very hard but certainly worth the effort. All the samples were based on Stitch pattern 1301 which is often called Chevron but using a different technique. Some were tuck, slip or transfer. Kerryn made each sample as a beanie based on the same number of stitches. It resulted as you would expect into various sized beanies.
Also. we have delivered these knits to charity. These are machine or hand knitted. The Trauma Teddies (29) were knitted by Kerryn’s 100 year old mum.
September was a workshop with Pam Molloy on Knit Well – Finish Well. Many of our group wanted to learn or refresh their knowledge on finishing well. Pam brought along her Brother and sacks of samples to inspire us. While this may have been a workshop Pam had done many moons ago, we really enjoyed the day with her and what is more she discovered that she knew most of us anyway.
Chris has recently obtained a Brother Bulky and has been endeavouring to get her skills developing. She knitted some beanies with ear flaps which her family have put in orders for. She kindly demonstrated these for us. While not Passap most of us have another machine or two to try this beanie on.
Ashley, our member who started knitting in February was chosen to go to Milan by RMIT this October. Recently a sample of her garments shown on the boardwalk in Milan she put on our Facebook page. Everything was knitted on the Passap E6000. Ashley has worked so hard, met a few challenges which she overcame, and inspired us all.
Her theme was Tea at the G and her garments are based on AFL teams.
Kerryn
What fun we are having trying new things to us at least. Last month we had a fantastic arrange of knits from a variety of flat beds through to our Passaps’. Following on from Elaine’s demo we set to work on the article from Machine Knitting Monthly (Feb 2023) by Fay Butcher looking at stitch pattern and variations. Our demo last month was the final sample in this article after 2 rows on knitting the front bed stitches were dumped (released). A couple of the other samples required us to concentrate very hard but certainly worth the effort. All the samples were based on Stitch pattern 1301 which is often called Chevron but using a different technique. Some were tuck, slip or transfer. Kerryn made each sample as a beanie based on the same number of stitches. It resulted as you would expect into various sized beanies.
Also. we have delivered these knits to charity. These are machine or hand knitted. The Trauma Teddies (29) were knitted by Kerryn’s 100 year old mum.
September was a workshop with Pam Molloy on Knit Well – Finish Well. Many of our group wanted to learn or refresh their knowledge on finishing well. Pam brought along her Brother and sacks of samples to inspire us. While this may have been a workshop Pam had done many moons ago, we really enjoyed the day with her and what is more she discovered that she knew most of us anyway.
Chris has recently obtained a Brother Bulky and has been endeavouring to get her skills developing. She knitted some beanies with ear flaps which her family have put in orders for. She kindly demonstrated these for us. While not Passap most of us have another machine or two to try this beanie on.
Ashley, our member who started knitting in February was chosen to go to Milan by RMIT this October. Recently a sample of her garments shown on the boardwalk in Milan she put on our Facebook page. Everything was knitted on the Passap E6000. Ashley has worked so hard, met a few challenges which she overcame, and inspired us all.
Her theme was Tea at the G and her garments are based on AFL teams.
Kerryn
TEMPLESTOWE CLUB UPDATE 14/04/2025
Templestowe knitting club started the year knitting little dolls and all members participated. Pamela brought several of these to Moonee Ponds to show.
Esther Braithwaite has provided this hand knitting pattern, free, on Ravellry (you must be a member)
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pretty-izzy-dolls: They are knitted as a flat piece of knitting and then sewn up and filled with stuffing and then the sewing defines the arms which makes them look like they have their hands In their pockets.
There is a history to the Izzy Doll, which was carried on by the commarades by Master Corporal Mark Isfield, RIP, a Canadian Peacekeeper. Read the short history here: www.hpicanada.ca/craft-for-hpic/
Alison Ang
Templestowe knitting club started the year knitting little dolls and all members participated. Pamela brought several of these to Moonee Ponds to show.
Esther Braithwaite has provided this hand knitting pattern, free, on Ravellry (you must be a member)
www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pretty-izzy-dolls: They are knitted as a flat piece of knitting and then sewn up and filled with stuffing and then the sewing defines the arms which makes them look like they have their hands In their pockets.
There is a history to the Izzy Doll, which was carried on by the commarades by Master Corporal Mark Isfield, RIP, a Canadian Peacekeeper. Read the short history here: www.hpicanada.ca/craft-for-hpic/
Alison Ang
WESTERN PORT CRAFT EXPO
We had a beautiful day representing our Club the KOO WEE RUP & DISTRICT MACHINE KNITTERS at the Western Port Craft Expo held on 12th. April 2025 We were able to demonstrate on the Club Brother knitting machine and had many interested enquiries. Also we were able to sell our machine knitted items. We did well considering there were lots of other crafts and it was a very warm day. The ladies of the Hastings Uniting Church provided complimentary lunchtime sandwiches plus tea/coffee/water throughout the day. Everyone made us very welcome. Thanks to Nelly, Sally, Janine and Stella for helping on the day but a Special Thank You to Sheila for organising everything for the day to be successful.
From Mary Schuurmans
