CLUB NEWS
BALLARAT CLUB UPDATE 19/04/2026
The Ballarat group have had a busy couple of months. Our monthly topics have included shaping and button holes. In February we had an additional day where several members travelled together to visit and shop at the Yarn Barn in West Meadows. Between us there were many purchases and plans made. After shopping we enjoyed a lovely lunch at a local nursery. Thank you to Patricia from the Yarn Barn for having us all visit. We had an enjoyable and successful weekend demonstrating at the Ballarat Craft Alive event. There was a lot of interest in the machines and the fact that we have a Ballarat group. There were many stories told of what Mum or Grandma used to make and of people wanting to learn. A number of visitors expressed an interest in attending our group. Two of these attended our most recent meeting and learned some techniques.
Janette Richards
The Ballarat group have had a busy couple of months. Our monthly topics have included shaping and button holes. In February we had an additional day where several members travelled together to visit and shop at the Yarn Barn in West Meadows. Between us there were many purchases and plans made. After shopping we enjoyed a lovely lunch at a local nursery. Thank you to Patricia from the Yarn Barn for having us all visit. We had an enjoyable and successful weekend demonstrating at the Ballarat Craft Alive event. There was a lot of interest in the machines and the fact that we have a Ballarat group. There were many stories told of what Mum or Grandma used to make and of people wanting to learn. A number of visitors expressed an interest in attending our group. Two of these attended our most recent meeting and learned some techniques.
Janette Richards
BENDIGO/ELMORE CLUB UPDATE 19/04/2026
We had 15 people attending an annual local workshop over 4 days with Diane Chambers. The project this year was a set in sleeve jumper with a cowl neck. Unfortunately Diane is unable to continue running these workshops but has left us with so much knowledge regarding designing and making garments. Some finished garments below, plus a couple of baby blankets. There was no meeting held in February due to the workshop.Peter Jardine made the apricot jumper for his mother in law. Annette Giles completed the blue/grey one for herself and Rhonda Charity is modelling the one she made. Annette and Rhonda’s jumpers featured the cowl continuing on as part of the body and without shaping the neck.
Jan made a garter carriage pram blanket for a new great nephew and Peter made an intarsia blanket with a picot edge using a Diana Sullivan Pattern.
Jan King
We had 15 people attending an annual local workshop over 4 days with Diane Chambers. The project this year was a set in sleeve jumper with a cowl neck. Unfortunately Diane is unable to continue running these workshops but has left us with so much knowledge regarding designing and making garments. Some finished garments below, plus a couple of baby blankets. There was no meeting held in February due to the workshop.Peter Jardine made the apricot jumper for his mother in law. Annette Giles completed the blue/grey one for herself and Rhonda Charity is modelling the one she made. Annette and Rhonda’s jumpers featured the cowl continuing on as part of the body and without shaping the neck.
Jan made a garter carriage pram blanket for a new great nephew and Peter made an intarsia blanket with a picot edge using a Diana Sullivan Pattern.
Jan King
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 19/04/2026
We commenced the year in late February. Our plan for the first few months will be concentrating on Card 3. Firstly Slip & Tuck with the card 3 and progress to patterns using the ribber and then patterns, still with Card 3 but with the colour changer.
We have great Show ‘n Tell which I encourage so we can all learn from each other.
Unfortunately, we have a few sick ones who have been excellent knitters in the past and are now unable to knit. I encourage them to still join us as their knitting knowledge is invaluable.
Club starts off well but always gets sidetracked on other techniques which are sometimes more interesting than what I have prepared- that is why I love knitting club!
Maureen McIntosh
We commenced the year in late February. Our plan for the first few months will be concentrating on Card 3. Firstly Slip & Tuck with the card 3 and progress to patterns using the ribber and then patterns, still with Card 3 but with the colour changer.
We have great Show ‘n Tell which I encourage so we can all learn from each other.
Unfortunately, we have a few sick ones who have been excellent knitters in the past and are now unable to knit. I encourage them to still join us as their knitting knowledge is invaluable.
Club starts off well but always gets sidetracked on other techniques which are sometimes more interesting than what I have prepared- that is why I love knitting club!
Maureen McIntosh
KOO WEE RUP CLUB UPDATE 19/04/2026
We did not have a meeting day in March as this was the day we held the Diane Chambers workshop. We had 28 members attend.
Club starts off well but always gets sidetracked on other techniques which are sometimes more interesting than what I have prepared- that is why I love knitting club!”)
We just had our regular hands on, on the third Tuesday.
At our April Meeting, we had 2 machines set up, a punchcard and an electronic both with garter carriages. The members watched a demonstration on their relevant machine as they can both be quite different. Hints and tips and general questions were answered. This turned out to be a very helpful demo to quite a few of our members that just needed some confidence .
We had a good show and tell session as there were 2 months of knitting to be shown. Also at our third Tuesday last month Hanna asked if we had a pattern for Poppies, we did have one in our Library and it was demonstrated, so Mary challenged all that were there to have 2 Poppies knitted for next meeting. You will see in the photos the challenge was accepted by most. Next Newsletter we hope to have a photo to show what happened with all the Poppies.
Sheila
We did not have a meeting day in March as this was the day we held the Diane Chambers workshop. We had 28 members attend.
Club starts off well but always gets sidetracked on other techniques which are sometimes more interesting than what I have prepared- that is why I love knitting club!”)
We just had our regular hands on, on the third Tuesday.
At our April Meeting, we had 2 machines set up, a punchcard and an electronic both with garter carriages. The members watched a demonstration on their relevant machine as they can both be quite different. Hints and tips and general questions were answered. This turned out to be a very helpful demo to quite a few of our members that just needed some confidence .
We had a good show and tell session as there were 2 months of knitting to be shown. Also at our third Tuesday last month Hanna asked if we had a pattern for Poppies, we did have one in our Library and it was demonstrated, so Mary challenged all that were there to have 2 Poppies knitted for next meeting. You will see in the photos the challenge was accepted by most. Next Newsletter we hope to have a photo to show what happened with all the Poppies.
Sheila
KYABRAM UPDATE 19/04/2026
Our March meeting – I was in Melbourne so Colleen hosted it. We had a small group at Colleen's and welcomed a new member to the group. Welcome Jenny. Colleen demonstrated single row striping without cutting ends. A small amount of practice bridging for bobbles or popcorn stitch, and how to add i- cord edging while knitting the project.
We also represented MKAV at Craft Alive in Shepparton. A big thank you to all the members who volunteered for the three days. The mornings were reasonably busy, with quite a lot of interest. But the afternoons were dead, there was no-one around at all. We did get two potential new members, Jenny who has already come to a meeting and hopefully another.
Glenda
Our March meeting – I was in Melbourne so Colleen hosted it. We had a small group at Colleen's and welcomed a new member to the group. Welcome Jenny. Colleen demonstrated single row striping without cutting ends. A small amount of practice bridging for bobbles or popcorn stitch, and how to add i- cord edging while knitting the project.
We also represented MKAV at Craft Alive in Shepparton. A big thank you to all the members who volunteered for the three days. The mornings were reasonably busy, with quite a lot of interest. But the afternoons were dead, there was no-one around at all. We did get two potential new members, Jenny who has already come to a meeting and hopefully another.
Glenda
MALVERN EAST CLUB UPDATE 19/04/2026
Warm Welcome to Jenny and Franca, as new attendees to our alternate monthly two day week-ends. Hope you enjoyed our company and have a better understanding of your knitting machines.
Pleased to see Jenny at our recent club meeting and would love to see you both attend our next one in May. Liz demonstrated how to place a dart in knitwear with clear instruction of this technique, hope everyone produces a garment with darts, or at least a sample of it.
Elizabeth presented an informative demo and talk about Designer-a-Knit on her computer, everyone has great knowledge of this programme and will be able to understand future chats amongst MKAV members.
A brief wrap-up of March workshop, Antonietta knitted a length of interesting cream coloured fabric, to join as a crossover wrap. Liz completed a tab front jumper in apricot/pink shades, she has fallen in love with her Singer knit radar. Cheryl has proudly achieved several pieces of her mustard/gold coloured cardigan.
Jean and Carmen challenge their Singer LK-150 knitting machines, plus Eva. Johay has continued his learning of new techniques, this time, “drop toe” cast-on. Elaine knitted another waste rag. Alison produced several tuck stitch beanies, plus a wrap, she has been asked to demonstrate her skills.
I feel I can never express my thanks enough for members’ support at our workshops, please know I appreciate it always. Thank You.
Elaine
Warm Welcome to Jenny and Franca, as new attendees to our alternate monthly two day week-ends. Hope you enjoyed our company and have a better understanding of your knitting machines.
Pleased to see Jenny at our recent club meeting and would love to see you both attend our next one in May. Liz demonstrated how to place a dart in knitwear with clear instruction of this technique, hope everyone produces a garment with darts, or at least a sample of it.
Elizabeth presented an informative demo and talk about Designer-a-Knit on her computer, everyone has great knowledge of this programme and will be able to understand future chats amongst MKAV members.
A brief wrap-up of March workshop, Antonietta knitted a length of interesting cream coloured fabric, to join as a crossover wrap. Liz completed a tab front jumper in apricot/pink shades, she has fallen in love with her Singer knit radar. Cheryl has proudly achieved several pieces of her mustard/gold coloured cardigan.
Jean and Carmen challenge their Singer LK-150 knitting machines, plus Eva. Johay has continued his learning of new techniques, this time, “drop toe” cast-on. Elaine knitted another waste rag. Alison produced several tuck stitch beanies, plus a wrap, she has been asked to demonstrate her skills.
I feel I can never express my thanks enough for members’ support at our workshops, please know I appreciate it always. Thank You.
Elaine
MOONEE PONDS NEWS UPDATE 15/02/2026
We decided to hold our first ever January meeting this year. Even with a temperature in the mid thirties 9 members were able to attend. And we discovered that our hall has really good air conditioning. We held a discussion on yarn and the many problems related to yarn. Members related horrific tales of yarn woes and entertaining tales of battling with difficult yarn.
Hopefully we can now go ahead and plan our 2026 knitting using good yarn.
Angela
We decided to hold our first ever January meeting this year. Even with a temperature in the mid thirties 9 members were able to attend. And we discovered that our hall has really good air conditioning. We held a discussion on yarn and the many problems related to yarn. Members related horrific tales of yarn woes and entertaining tales of battling with difficult yarn.
Hopefully we can now go ahead and plan our 2026 knitting using good yarn.
Angela
NORTH EAST VICTORIA CLUB UPDATE 19/04/2026
Our group has had a wonderfully busy start to 2026! Between attending our own workshops and joining in all the fun of CraftAlive Wodonga, we’ve been on the go with projects keeping the momentum going.
Our small but mighty team of members that went along to demonstrate, were kept busy with people who had fond memories of their mother/grandmother’s machine knitting their school jumpers!
There was also some keen interest from younger CraftAlive-goers who were able to jump onto a machine and have a go! Most were surprised to see just how quickly the knitting grew in such a short time. Hopefully we have been able to encourage a new member or two to fall in love with our craft.
We are planning ahead for the projects we will participate in as a group this year and also what we are working on as individuals. You can see from our photos that there has been lots of creativity happening!
Most members were able to attend our Double-Day Workshop and this meant that lots of projects were able to be completed. Charmane demonstrated the cut & sew self-rolling neckline technique she had developed for a child’s jumper. Andrea & Shelley had both knitted the child’s jumper ready to complete this neckline at the workshop. Nicole also showed us how a cut & sew ribbed neckline can look, using 2 colours to highlight the method.
Charmane
Our group has had a wonderfully busy start to 2026! Between attending our own workshops and joining in all the fun of CraftAlive Wodonga, we’ve been on the go with projects keeping the momentum going.
Our small but mighty team of members that went along to demonstrate, were kept busy with people who had fond memories of their mother/grandmother’s machine knitting their school jumpers!
There was also some keen interest from younger CraftAlive-goers who were able to jump onto a machine and have a go! Most were surprised to see just how quickly the knitting grew in such a short time. Hopefully we have been able to encourage a new member or two to fall in love with our craft.
We are planning ahead for the projects we will participate in as a group this year and also what we are working on as individuals. You can see from our photos that there has been lots of creativity happening!
Most members were able to attend our Double-Day Workshop and this meant that lots of projects were able to be completed. Charmane demonstrated the cut & sew self-rolling neckline technique she had developed for a child’s jumper. Andrea & Shelley had both knitted the child’s jumper ready to complete this neckline at the workshop. Nicole also showed us how a cut & sew ribbed neckline can look, using 2 colours to highlight the method.
Charmane
PASSAP CLUB UPDATE 19/04/2026
Passap Club continues to have a positive turnout each month. In February, Jackie solved our problem of doing the Circular Tuck Lace Sock on the E6000. As a result, the Circular Tuck Lace has been used as a cowl and a scarf. It also meant that we needed to use OX on the front bed which is a setting that we do not use very often.
At the March meeting, Fone demonstrated the Norfolk Baby Blanket. A simple pattern that can be used on all models of Passap. But showing the cast off and the use of the Pusher Aligning Tool was most helpful as often at a demo we do not do a cast off. Scarves and Blankets need that neat finish.
Kerryn
Passap Club continues to have a positive turnout each month. In February, Jackie solved our problem of doing the Circular Tuck Lace Sock on the E6000. As a result, the Circular Tuck Lace has been used as a cowl and a scarf. It also meant that we needed to use OX on the front bed which is a setting that we do not use very often.
At the March meeting, Fone demonstrated the Norfolk Baby Blanket. A simple pattern that can be used on all models of Passap. But showing the cast off and the use of the Pusher Aligning Tool was most helpful as often at a demo we do not do a cast off. Scarves and Blankets need that neat finish.
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
