During my Sunday browsing on the internet I came across, again, the most wonderful site to search for many MK related items. 

http://needlesofsteel.org.uk/ 

It has free machine knitting patterns, copies of the punchcards which came with various machines, MK videos, BOOK REVIEWS, where to get manuals, software, ....you name it and you can probably find the link to where to get it!!   I even saw downloads of how to adjust your ribber (brother standard and bulky and the SR ribber).  I even found a listing of where to get machine knitting yarn. 

Check it out. Bookmark the link for your future reference....this site is well organized and the people contributing are knowledgeable. 

6.5 mm garter bar has sold

Leslie has sold the garter bar.

Midgauge 6.5 mm garter bar for sale

One more smallish piece of equipment has come to my attention.  Leslie has a midgauge garter bar (6.5 mm....the one which fits Silver Reed machines) she bought by accident.  Contact me at fmcelroy@aol.com   or Leslie (you know her from TMK meetings) for price.
Thanks.

Edith's machines are sold

Back in November, Edith contacted me about selling her machines (Passap and Brother 940). They have been sold to a local lady who is quite happy with them.

We hope Lisa has such good luck with her Toyota, which I listed in December.

I have knitted a couple of scarves for the Special Olympics. I used the bulky machine and a fisherman's rib stitch. They were fun and easy.

I have knitted some preemie hats (fisherman's rib again...it is my favorite easy but impressive stitch). These were done using Tamm 3 ply on the standard machine. I am working on the booties to match right now.

Hat Contest 2011

Here are my 100 hats (on a bed with toys because I forgot to remove the toys!)

Linda Williams of Country Knitting of Maine News&Views magazine has been having a hat contest each year, with the hats sent in to be donated to charity (homeless, schoolkids, etc.). For the last couple of years she has also sponsored a "Hat Challenge" to knit 100 hats and send them in with the Hat Contest hats.  I have sent in 100 hats last year and again this year.  Kathryn Doubrley first issued the 100 Hat Challenge, promising a free pattern to whoever sent in 100 hats.  Cathie Sanders  joined her in promising a free pattern to whoever sent in 100 hats.  Linda joined them in promising a prize for 100 hats. ....So I figured I couldn't lose....just send in 100 hats and be guaranteed a prize!! Three prizes, to be exact.

So I cranked up my knitting machine (machines to be exact) and got started. When I traveled, I used my trusty hand knitting needles to keep up the momentum. I tried out hat patterns from the internet and from various patterns I had bought over the years. I tried different color combinations and different techniques. I used the standard knitting machine, the Passap, the midgauge machine and the bulky. To make sure the hats were usable, I tried each one on on my head....if it were a bit tight (but DID go on my head) I figured it would fit someone....if it were a bit loose, it would still fit someone.  These hats were for school children and for adults, mostly.

I selected my best hats from the 100 to enter in the contest with the big prizes. I was very lucky and I did win some big prizes!

My first place hat won 6 months of Machine Knitting Monthly

My second place winner, most unusual technique, won  a gift certificate to Knit it Now

My third place prize winning hat won a big box of yarn from Peter Patchis

No, I did not enter all of the 100 hats into the contest. I chose what I considered the best of the bunch (maybe about 10 or so hats). Hey, the more I entered in the contest, the greater my chance of winning!

This was a lot of fun...some personal pressure to finish 100 hats and on time...and I do plan to try again next year for 100 more hats!  I hope many of you will join me in making and donating hats next year.

More Toyota photos

Someday I will learn how to manage this blog....I promise!

Toyota knitting machine for sale

Another person has contacted me about selling a machine locally.
The photos are in another post from today.
Here is what Lisa said:

My mother purchased this knitting machine, but recently passed away and I don't have a need/use for it. It is a Toyota KS787 model, and comes with a ribber, stand, lace carriage, other miscellaneous attachments, and some patterns. It has been used only half-a-dozen times.

Lisa lives in Hillsborough, NC. She is asking $500 for the Toyota KS787 , ribber, stand, lace carriage, and other miscellaneous attachments. She will include some patterns too.

The 787 is a punchcard machine and from what I can find on the internet a very sturdy, reliable machine.

If you are interested contact me, Rita, at    fmcelroy@aol.com and I will put you in contact with Lisa.