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I N F O R M	NEWSLETTER
	HINTS AND TIPS
	BASIC KH970 HELP
F R E E	BROTHER COMPATIBILITY
	BASIC MACHINE HELP
	MACHINE PATTERNS
	PUNCH CARD DESIGNS
4 S A L E	YARN FOR SALE
	MACHINES AND ACCESSORIES
	DAISY PATTERNS
C O N T A C T	KNITTERS FOR HIRE
	KNITTERS WANTED
	PROD KNITTERS NICHE
	EMAIL DAISY KNITS

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA 55421                         By Lora Kinnan

SUMMER 2010

You can have a nicely printable newsletter, in PDF format, by clicking here.

GETTING TO IT

 If you could do a scientific study, you would probably find that knitters are some of the most compassionate, caring individuals around.  There has been an influx of calls and emails asking if everything is alright.  Thank you. Everything is OK and daughter is doing better too. The reason there hasn't been any newsletter since January is that I took a break.  I have been writing the Daisy Knits Newsletter every two months since 1987.  That's a lot of newsletters.  So I just took a little time away from writing. Didn't think anyone would notice.  Well, a lot of you did.  As one knitter put it,  "If you plan another break, tell us."   Okey Dokey.

The break was refreshing but now is a good time to get back at it.  It is a good time to knit too.  But then it is always a good time to knit. The summer months just call out for knitting with cotton.  And boy do we have the cotton.  The company that supplies our top notch cotton has made me an offer that would have been foolish to refuse. They had an overstock of a couple of colors and asked if Daisy Knits would like to buy the overstock at an even better price than usual.  We just had to say yes, to that kind of an offer. The overstock is here and  we are offering you the same savings AND hoping you say yes, too. There are 3 colors of the 10/2 cotton that are now just $4.00 per pound. They are: steel blue  pink/natural and peach/natural, The cones in these 3 colors come in weights of about 2 to 3 pounds each and with the discounted price we won't be able to wind them off smaller. So when ordering take that into account.

The other colors of our 10/2 cotton are still at the low price of just $8.00 per pound.  Here is a list of those colors. 

Plain colors: white, natural, Grey heather, slate, putty, tan, camel, acorn, fr brown, fig, chocolate, deep brown, daffodill, red, bordeaux, barberry, wine, burgundy, thistle, mulberry, pink, rose, eggplant2,  cape blue,  midnight, jazz blue, bright blue, arizona teal, MCBjade, dusty teal, emerald, hemlock, forest, fr green, spinach

Marls: silver/natural, lt brown/deep brown, mustard/country,                chambray/denim, denim/dk blue.

This is a good time to stock up for your fall craft sales.  Two things to remember: The more cotton you buy the cheaper per pound it is to ship.  Orders of over $100.00 get a 10% discount.  This of course doesn't include the colors that are already discounted to $4.00 per pound. If you personally don't need that much cotton it may be a good idea to get a group together and save on shipping that way.

THANK YOU

I would like to thank the Ruskin, Florida and surrounding area knitters for a wonderful time.  They invited me to be their instructor in January.  It was so much fun.  Sharing knitting techniques was fun and they taught me a thing or two about where to eat.  Thank you ladies.

COMING UP

There is a Machine Knitting Seminar in Monroe, Michigan, July 23 and 24, 2010.  If you are looking at a map, Monroe is just South of Detroit, Michigan and north of Toledo, Ohio.  The contact person is Cathy Reaume.  Deb Oswald and I will both be teaching there.  If your in the area and want to attend you can reach Cathy at reaume-cathy@att.net. 

NEW NEW NEW

Phyllis Waterhouse is a name that has been around the machine knitting world for a long time.  Phyllis has some wonderful stitch pattern design books that have become classics over the years.  Well, it is time to get excited once again as Phyllis has a new book out.  It has some beautiful Norwegian Designs in it that you won't want to miss. I had the privilege of knitting one of her sample sweaters.  Phyllis's designs have always beautiful and this one  was no exception.  If you would like to have a look at some of the designs that she has in the new book you can click here. Phyllis has the book for sale and you can purchase it directly from her by emailing her at phyllis5119@nwi.net

NEW KNITTERS

We have been gaining some new knitters here.  It seems that some of the younger folks are becoming interested in the machine knitting craft.  It is exciting to see some of the ideas that they have and the things that they want to create.  Some of them have graduated from designer programs at various colleges and have jumped in with both feet.  Maybe this craft will experience some revival. Thanks to all of you who recommend this shop. Thanks to all of you who promote machine knitting to the younger generation.  This craft is one that I still enjoy, even after 23 + years. It would be nice if it continued for 23 more.

MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

It is that time again.  Yes, the Minnesota great get together is just around the corner.  So, dust off those patterns and oil up that carriage and get knitting on your entries for the Minnesota State Fair. Delivery of articles for the fair is as follows.  The Creative Activities Building will be open to receive articles beginning Sunday, August 15, from 11:00am to 5:00pm.  Articles entered must be delivered to the Creative Activities Building by 12:00 noon, Wednesday, August 18.  The Creative Activities Building is located by Gate 5 or the Snelling Main gate on the Fair Grounds.   Daisy Knits has once again sponsored a $10.00 prize for each of the following machine knitting categories: Lot 304, Sweater, Adult pullover; Lot 305, Toy; Lot 309, Hat, scarf and mittens; and Lot 310, Not otherwise specified.  Here is a heads up.  The category of Lot 309  hat, scarf and mitten often has no entries.  This is a real deal for the beginning knitter.  Sometimes the only entry is then the winner of the $10.00 prize. If you would like more information on the Minnesota State Fair you can go to http://www.mnstatefair.org. If you would like a look at the Creative Activities Book you can fot to  http://www.mnstatefair.org/_assets/pdf/competition/CA10-pbWEB.pdf.

And just so you know...I do not and never have judged machine knitted items at the fair and because I am a published author and considered a professional I do not enter any machine knitted items. 

YARN FOR CHARITY

A local church group has donated some yarn. They asked if there was any one willing to make baby hats for them. The church group puts the hats together with some other baby supplies, and then sends the package out to those in need. So if you  can squeeze out some time to knit up a few hats...even 2 or 3 would be great. Just stop by the shop. The yarn and the pattern are here waiting for you and some baby will be very glad you did.

FUN PATTERN

Included in this newsletter is a pattern that is not for the feint of heart.  It is a combination lace and tuck pattern, written for the brother machines.  It is fun to do but needs undivided attention. You can try the scarf that is written or use the stitch pattern technique for a sweater.  The scarf will roll and it is meant to.  Let me know what you think if you choose to try it. Click here for a nice printable pattern.

DRESSY LACE TUCK SCARF

by Lora Kinnan

Machine: Brother or Knit King Standard bed

Yarn: Use any yarn that will work on your machine knit at a tension that works with the yarn

I used 1 strand of 10/2 cotton at tension 5.

Pattern: Enter the stitch pattern exactly as it is drawn on the next page. Or punch a card.

The pattern is 24 stitches by 36 rows. You can also hand pull the stitches if you like.

X = selected needle blank = unselected needle

If you enter it in designa knit, YOU MUST DO A HORIZONTAL FLIP and then download it to your machine.

If you are using a 970, the machine will continually tell you that you are using the wrong carriage unless you select the garter carriage when you go through the pattern selection steps.

Put your lace rails onto the machine.

Ewrap cast on from 24 Left to 24 right. Hang a cast on comb and at least 2 claw weights.

Knit 2 plain rows of knitting.

Set your RC to 000. Your main carriage has to be on the right. Set it to KCII (end needles do not select).

Lace carriage must be on the left and set to L.

You are using two carriages, both of which will engage the timing belt. Make sure those carriages are completely off the machine bed and on the lace extension rails when you finish with them so that you don’t break your timing belt.

Set row counter to 000 Hit start (if necessary) on your machine.

Row Count 000 - Start with the Lace Carriage (LC) on the left. Make 2 passes. Needles select on the first pass and transfer on the second pass. LC on left.

Row Count still reads 000. Main Carriage (MC) on right is set to KCII. Push in tuck buttons. Make 2 passes with the MC.

Row Count 002 - Use the LC and make 2 passes. Switch to the MC, knit 2 rows. Continue this process until the scarf is as long as you would like it to be.

I suggest your row counter read at least 500, but that will depend on the yarn you use and the tension you knit it at. Once the scarf is as long as you think you want it to be, Knit 2 rows of plain knitting and bind off. Steam. Decorate the end with fringe if you like. If not let it curl.

If you get distracted and forget what carriage you used last remember: If there are two needles next to each other that are back in the "B" position you use your lace carriage next. If there are two needles next to each other that are out in the selected "D" position, you used your main carriage next.

The best time to move your cast on comb and claw weights up is when the LC is on the left, the MC is on the right and all of the needles are selected to "D".

Lora Kinnan / Daisy Knits

http://daisyknits.com

Have Yarn will Travel

 

This is the PUNCHCARD or DIRECT ENTRY 24 X 36 PATTERN FOR MAKING THE SCARF. IF YOU ENTER THIS IN DESIGNAKNIT YOU MUST PERFORM A HORIZONTAL FLIP BEFORE DOWNLOADING. X is a selected needle. First row of the pattern is at the bottom.

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USED EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

KH940 ELECTRONIC MACHINE $650.00

KH930 ELECTRONIC MACHINE $485.00

KH910 CARRIAGE ONLY $200.00

KH890 STANDARD PUNCH CARD MACHINE$400.00

KH860 STANDARD PUNCH CARD MACHINE $ 255.00

KR850 STANDARD RIBBER $ 215.00

KG 95 GARTER CARRIAGE $345.00

KG88 GARTER CARRIAGE $225.00

KG GARTER CARRIAGE TURN AROUND CAMS $15.00 SET

KH260 BULKY PUNCH CARD MACHINE $550.00

KR260 BULKY RIBBER $299.00

KH260 BULKY CARRIAGE AND SINKER PLATE SET $299.00

KA2600 BULKY INTARSIA CARRIAGE $55.00

PRO551 PROFILE 551 STANDARD MACHINE $50.00

PRO558 PROFILE 558 STANDARD MACHINE $50.00

FB100 DISK DRIVE $225.00

KA8300 RIBBER TRANSFER CARRIAGE $ 55.00

KHC820A SINGLE BED COLOR CHANGER $ 65.00

KRC900 DOUBLE BED COLOR CHANGER $ 85.00

PPD 100 WITH ORIGINAL CARTRIDGE $50.00

KL116 KNIT LEADER $25.00

Studio/ SR

SK840 ELECTRONIC KNITTING MACHINE / CULY CORD

SJR70 STANDARD BED JACQUARD RIBBER

SILVER LINK 4 FOR DESIGNAKNIT W 9 PIN

CONNECTOR

ABOVE SOLD AS SET $2200.00

SK360 PUNCH CARD MACHINE $300.00

SRP50 RIBBER $199.00

AG1 INTARSIA CARRIAGE $ 45.00

AG20 INTARSIA CARRIAGE $ 45.00

AG30 INTARSIA CARRIAGE $ 45.00

KR3 KNIT RADAR $ 50.00

LC560 LACE CARRIAGE $ 255.00

RT1 TRANSFER CARRIAGE $ 75.00

SC1 LINKER $ 45.00

MOD 700 WITH BUILT IN KNIT RADAR $300.00

PS 150 PATTERN SELECTOR FOR MOD 150 CHUNKY MACHINE (includes pattern selector, needle selector, card snaps, book and needle number tape) $ $40.00

PS 150 Series 3 PATTERN DESIGN CARDS (#21-25) $5.00

STUDIO DE KNIT CARRIAGE $4.00

Any Machine

HOLE PUNCHER $ 18.00

STANDARD GARTER BAR $ 25.00

7 PRONG TRANSFER TOOL $ 15.00

READING MAGNIFIERS WITH LIGHT $10.00

CLAW WEIGHT HANGERS, SMALL, $2.00 EACH

CLAW WEIGHT HANGERS, LARGE, $5.00 EACH

GARTER CARRIAGE TURN AROUND CAMS $12.00 SET

RIBBER CAST ON COMB, 60 NEEDLE, $14.00

3 TRIANGLE WEIGHT HANGERS, WHITE PLASTIC, $25.00

3 TRIANGLE WEIGHT HANGERS, ALL METAL, $25.00

BLOCKING WIRE SET (IN CASE) $10.00

YARN SWIFT (UMBRELLA TYPE) $12.00

UNICORN TOOL $3.00

KNIT CALCULATOR $10.00

(needs batteries that can be purchased at Radio Shack for about $10.00).

Videos

Sweater Finishing by Leslye Solomon $15.00

Creative Knitting Today (Studio by White) $5.00

Studio Single Bed Accessories, Video Workbook $15.00

Hand Manipulated Stitches with Susan Guagliumi $20.00

Machine Knitting Techniques by Donna Seitzer $10.00

 

If you would like to be notified by email when the new newsletters are up on the web site, so that you can read them here or print them out, please email and let me know.