March 2022 - Sock making tools and accessories

News

Machine Knitting Monthly provided us with a club copy of the March issue of the magazine, which contains a spotlight on designer Alison Dupernex, racking skills with Bill King, and 10 knitting patterns. Machine Knitting Monthly - The hand-knitted look in a fraction of the time

The Knitting and Crochet Guild now has PDF copies of Guild of Machine Knitters magazines available on the website for Guild members. Guild of Machine Knitters Publications | Knitting & Crochet Guild (kcguild.org.uk)

All copies of the 'Across the Needlebed' online newsletter for Machine Knitters is also available on the Guild website for members. 'Across the Needlebed' Machine Knitting Publication | Knitting & Crochet Guild (kcguild.org.uk) 

The Fleece to Fashion: Economies and Cultures of Knitting in Modern Scotland Project is recruiting Research Volunteers from the knitting community initially to knit up samples and small garments using Margaret Klein's pattern instructions held in National Museums Scotland. Knit a Margaret Klein – Fleece To Fashion (gla.ac.uk)

Fabric and Craft Sale, Whether you want to sell or buy, Patchwork, dressmaking textiles and notions, knitting, embroidery or craft supplies,patterns and craft books Saturday 9th April, 10am to 4pm. Events | All Hallows Church (hantswhit.church)

Several knitting skills are unfortunately now listed on the Heritage Crafts red list of endangered crafts. Frame knitting and Shetland lace knitting are critically endangered. Gansey knitting and nalbinding are endangered. Categories of risk | Heritage Crafts

Tip of the week

Yarn too fluffy? Run the yarn over a plain candle.

Yarn too old and brittle? Put in the freezer with the bag open for a couple of days to absorb moisture.

Yarn too hairy? Yarns like angora will flatten when cold, so place the yarn in a sealed bag in the freezer overnight before using to calm down the hairs. 

Sock making tools and accessories

Members brought along a wide variety of sock-related tools and accessories. From double-pointed needles (DPN) to double-ended crochet hooks. Needle gauges varied from classic bell gauges to pencil case friendly rectangular gauges. A common experience is that different needle gauges have different sizes. This was suggested as a reason many have multiple gauges. For example, needing a KnitPro gauge to use with KnitPro knitting needles. There is a Wiki page that has a comparison list of metric, US, UK, Japan and old continental sizes (Knitting needle - Wikipedia). 

Double pointed knitting needles and crochet hooks, stitch holders, rectangular gauge, peacock bell knitting pin gauge, and a darning mushroom.

Tool for tracking increases and decreases.

Collection of knitting needles for children, a stitch holder, and crochet hook.

Knitting needles and crochet hook. 

4 steel double pointed knitting needles in a wooden cylinder case.

The archer bell knitting pin gauge.

Show and tell

Christine had knit an amazing shawl.

Jean knit a squares blanket in a beautiful pastels colourway.

Sylvia machine knit a white short sleeve square neck top in an acrylic mix.

Nina's current work in progress is a pink and beige 2x2 rib jumper. 

Carol has crocheted a diagonal stripped blankets. 

Jean knit a Christmas angel. 

Another work in progress is a knitted trauma teddy (Stonehaven Trauma Teddies (wordpress.com)