June 2016

The speaker this month was Janet from our group. Janet provided a talk about 'cut and sew'. This is the method of stitching or securing the knitting before cutting usually the neckline shape and then attaching the neckband. The method can be used on any garment from simple stocking stitch to complex patterning. However it is mostly used when the patterning is fairly complex or lots of it, where shaping around the neckline might be more complicated using decreases or where pattern matching either side of neckline may be challenging.

Janet's approach used a template to help get an even placement of the intended neckline. She had provided some to take away traced onto card. The template by Carl Boyd was mentioned too. Janet advised :

1. marking both sides of the neckline with a pin to ensure the shoulders lined up
2. placing the template evenly in the middle and pinning
3. tacking around the outline of the template
4. zig zag using a sewing machine
5. cut with sharp scissors within the tacked/zig zagged area leaving a seam allowance   

The neckband was made in advance and taken off onto waste yarn ready to be attached.

There are various approaches to making and attaching the neckbands and some were discussed and samples shown.

Competition

Advanced

1st Vee - navy cardigan with a frilled edging and raglan sleeves knitted with 4 strands industrial yarn twisted together using a yarn twister. 

2nd Val - grey jacket knitted on a mid gauge using garter bar to make garter stitch and with side splits.

3rd Marcia - supersheen and lambswool plated jacket using holding position for shaping.

May 2016

At the May meeting, team member Shirley talked about and demonstrated the LK150 mid gauge machine. The differences with regular standard gauge machines were pointed out such as no sinker posts and there is no punchcard patterning. However it was simple to use, light to carry about so very portable and very good for converting hand knit patterns to be knitted on it.


Shirley had made a few samples and passed them around and then gave everyone the opportunity to see it in action and try it for themselves.


Shirley brought some cones of chunky yarn to sell at the meeting. Stephanie and Vee brought in some pattern books and machine accessories. Sandra showed Ann Browns lightweight striped cardigan from her new to be released pattern that had been seen at the recent workshop. It was knitted in two strands of fine crepe and was ideal for using up ends of crepe cones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 2016

Ann Brown was the speaker in April. Ann had selected a number of garments from her samples and talked about the yarns used and design features. All of the garments for this talk were tops of various kinds. Some suitable for layering and made from simple shapes and others with more tailoring for a closer fit. Here is a link Ann Brown to Ann's website.



The group also takes part in weekend workshops with Ann usually in May and again November. For details please call Sandra her contact details are on the left of the page.

Competition Results

Beginners: Mandie was the only entry and had created a beautiful jacket in a cream yarn. The pattern was created with a circular design and although quite an old pattern looked very stylish for now and not all dated.

  

 

Advanced:

1st Sandra with a cardigan in 4 ply acrylic

2nd  Valerie knitted a long sleeved cashmere top in purple