East Midlands Techology

Should have oosted this earler to record two rather intriguing visits. Earlier in the month went to Abbey Pumping Station, which is Leicester's Museum of Science and Technology. As it was a small group of Friends of Ruddington FKM, we were let in the Storage Shed. Dozens of old frames and machines jammed in there, including this rather splendid massive circular knitting machine. Only 9 days later, thanks to Google news snippets, I was at the Open Day/Private Show of Shima Seiki, which, amazingly, is here on the industrial estate in the village. The latest machines for Whole Garment Technology use slide needles now, not latch needles, so I will have to be amending my talks! I have found a website that explains bearded, latch, and slide needle: https://www.slideshare.net/jijomathewz/knitting-needles-41819204 WGT machines have four flat beds, arranged in to V's so they are actually form an X. They can knit down to one needle. The computer aided design system can scan apiece of yarn and project it into every knitted stitch and print it out - had to touch the paper to establish it wasn't actually a piece of knitting stuck on the page. I am very proud to be part of this continuous thread, from William Lee via the frame knitters, the circular knitters and beyond. Despite the b**** racetrack, the airport and the frequent road jams, I couldn't be in a better place.

Nights drawing in?

Just past the Solstice! And a week of weather that was just a tad too hot for me on a couple of day s- hottest June since 1976, they say. I remember that well, queueing up for shops in Quorn by 9am to be able to get back to cool house ASAP. Made a Jane Austen dress and shrug which came out so horribly small (and not having E to try it on) instantly cast on for another. This went well, not needed second ball of yarn so cast on for a third. Thanks to a new fabric shop opening next door to wool shop in Breedon, cold get yarn and material on same day. Material was at end of roll, so can just squeeze two dress lengths out of it. Now thinking what next project should be, especially with family holiday in Polperro coming up, followed by another trip to France.

In tune with June

Hols went well, but there were so many flies we demolished the fly swatter and had to buy another! Made the Estonian hat inside the first week. Far too big for Erika of course, but a tad too small for me and only know if I would have the courage to wear it. Went mad on the string bag front - Using base of a Tote bag pattern as it was pretty, and less solid looking, than the original "Aunt Lydia". No, I haven't got an aunt called Lydia, I think the original was using the cotton of that name. Margaret had given me two small squarish cones of red cotton, so I'm well away. It is better if both bases made first and joined. Base is 15 sts, every other round is loops of 3ch. Sts eventually increased to 120 with no spaces between, for 40 loops for sides (1 dc miss 2 ch method). Started with loops of 4ch,for two rounds, inc to 7ch on this thickish yarn. Don't think I need to go up to 9ch. UP to about 12 inches, then 4dc in every loop for four rounds, handles over a quarter, using dc foundation chain, then another round, putting trebles over handles, dc over sides.

Also made one glove in red on two needles with a two row pattern repeat. Stopped there, as needed to weigh the ball of yarn to see if I had enough for second glove (I have). The finger seams do not lie quite where I would have expected though. Cast on for a similar four needle version (in grey) which has a three row pattern. Have now ordered shorter glove needles from Woolstack, as 15cm or 20cm long ones are a blasted nuisance at finger level. Back home, after tackling the jungle that is the garden --- Amazed to see how big that one weld plant had grown, especially after unloading all my dried weld on Lesley at the Vendredi Club! Cut side shoots for drying, leaving main stem for now. Continuing Jane Austen dress top for Erika - far, far too small, will pass this to Emily I think. Investigated new fabric shop in Breedon next door to wool shop (oh, so handy!)and got just over a metre of owl fabric (roll end) so may split into two and do one for Jessica for upcoming giant family hols in Poplperro.