Tag: Knitted textiles

Reviews of Knit Step by Step and The Knitting Book

On By vikkihaffendenIn book, books, craft, creativity, hand knitting, Knitted textiles, knitting, knitting books, makingLeave a comment

I have been browsing YouTube to avoid the pile of tomatoes that need to be turned into sauce, don’t we all do this? It was nice to come across a review of one of my hand knitting books, Knit Step by Step. Watch from time 13:00 of the video review by Worsted Willow to see the review, but watch the whole video if you have time, it’s always great to hear about knitting books!

https://youtu.be/H6yRHt2Ums4?is=vIPWep5y05Z_ViMb

Cover of the 2020 editon of Knit Step by Step

I also found this review of the first edition of The Knitting Book by The Maker’s Wardrobe. The review is four years old, and the reviewer mentions that there are other editions now available. In fact there was a 2nd edition, with a smart blue cover and new content.

https://youtu.be/pf_3LHUyqp4?is=E08rh8fmP5aImIyy

The Knitting Book review starts at time 9.30 on The Maker’s Wardrobe video, but do watch the whole video all if you have time.

The Knitting Book by Vikki Haffenden and Frederika Patmore
The Knitting Book – the 1st edition
The 2nd edition of The Knitting Book

And in 2026 the 3rd Edition has been released with a nice updated, pink cover and even more new and revised content.

The 3rd edition of The Knitting Book

Having three editions tells me that this is a knitting books that will be on so many knitter’s shelves. Just knowing that warms my heart and connects me with you all.

Thank you to both Worsted Willow and The Maker’s Wardrobe for taking the time to evaluate my books and sharing their opinions with others to help them make choices.

If you are a machine knitter as well, please also check out my three machine knitting books:

Translating Between Hand and Machine Knitting
Single and Double Bed Machine Knitting; the Designer’s Guide
The Machine Knitter’s Guide to Partial Knitting; SeamlessPattern, Shape and Form
published September 2026

Imperia sock machine in action

On By vikkihaffendenIn Circular sock machines, craft, creativity, Knitted textiles, knitting, knitting machine, Machine knitting, makingLeave a comment

I restored this Imperia sock machine for the Stanmer Preservation Society in Sussex. It was a treat to find this video of me working on the machine at the Heritage Open Day at Stanmer Park in 2021. The event focused on the heritage crafts of spinning, weaving, knitting, linen and lace making. The Preservation Society had grown its own flax crop and were processing it from straw to yarn in preparation for weaving it into linen cloth.

Me enjoying a glitch-free session with the Imperia in the charming barn at Stanmer Park

I can’t believe that this was five years ago! I had my own machine then, an AKMC made by the Automatic Knitting Machine Co, and now I also have an Autoknitter. The AKMC, although a gorgeous and better made machine has more needles so I actually use it less because it comes up a bit wide in diameter for socks, whereas the Autoknitter has the perfect number of needles. Of the top of my head I seem to remember that the AKMC has 84 needles and the Autoknitter has 64 needles, but don’t hold me to that. I dearly wish I had the compound dial for the AKMC to make smaller diameter tubes.

Fortunately I have ribber dials for both machines which makes a difference. The AKMC knits great socks in rib.

A quick peak at my latest book

On By vikkihaffendenIn book, books, craft, Creative machine knitting, creativity, Flechage, Knitted textiles, knitting, knitting books, knitting machine, knitting patterns, Machine knitting, Machine knitting; knitmaster;silver reed; knitting, making, Short-row shaping, Short-rows, Textiles, UncategorizedLeave a comment

‘The Machine Knitter’s Guide to Partial Knitting: Seamless Pattern, Shape and Form’, is available to pre-order in the UK from Crowood Books, and online retailers. In the US it can be ordered from Blackwells.

Learn how to control short rows and create fab effects with this fascinating technique.

I’ve always been fascinated by short rows, or partial knitting as this technique is also called, so when the opportunity came to write a whole book about the technique I was super excited. The book opens with some interesting information about short rows to whet the appetite, the first chapter is about the absolute basics, so is ideal for people who have not worked with short rows before. The chapters progress through the different ways of using short rows; shown with examples, diagrams and written instructions. Some also have half scale sample patterns for practising the techniques which include more advanced uses, such as 3d shaping.. There are step-by-step instructions and each chapter builds on the knowledge of the previous chapter. The book ends with a chapter of patterns exemplifying the techniques covered throughout the book.

I so look forward to receiving my first copy!

Seeing up at Craft 4 Crafter’s show -updated

On By vikkihaffendenIn book, books, craft, Creative machine knitting, Devon, Knitted textiles, knitting, knitting books, knitting machine, Machine knitting, Machine knitting; knitmaster;silver reed; knitting, Textiles, the knitting bookLeave a comment

It’s been a busy day today setting up the Taunton Machine Knitting Club stand at Craft 4 Crafter’s exhibition in Exeter. The Club is pleased to have recently become a branch of The Knitting and Crochet Guild, making us part of the wider UK knitting community.

The display features work by most club members including lace, intarsia, knitweave and double jacquard. Throughout the three day exhibition members will be demonstrating different techniques such as cables, bobbles,  shaping and short row knitting.

The display is finally ready, and I am not  climbing a stepladder again today!

I will be giving a talk on Friday about my books, ‘The Knitting Book’, ‘Translating Between Hand and Machine Knitting’ and ‘Single and Double Bed Machine Knitting; the Designer’s Guide’.

The table will have to be large enough to fit four copies once my latest book, ‘The Machine Knitter’s Guide to Partial Knitting’ is published later this year.

Update

The show went really well. There was lots of interest in the club,  machine knitting in general and the Knitting and Crochet Guild.

The machines were a great draw
Yarn winding for those who bought yarn in hanks

What a lovely review of ‘Single and Double Bed Machine Knitting; the Designer’s Guide’

On By vikkihaffendenIn books, Creative machine knitting, knitting, knitting machine, knitting machine maitenance, Machine knitting, Machine knitting; knitmaster;silver reed; knitting, UncategorizedLeave a comment

November’s edition of Machine Knitting Monthly has a great review of ‘Single and Double Bed Machine Knitting; the Designer’s Guide’. Amongst other nice things, they mention the broad scope of the book’s contents. I deliberately wrote so that it is suitable for any machine owner from Brother to Passap with lots of hints and tips to work on different types of machines. Thank you Machine Knitting Monthly!

Read excerpts from the review here.

‘Single and Double Bed Machine Knitting; the Designer’s Guide’

On By vikkihaffendenIn books, clothing size, craft, Creative machine knitting, educational, Flechage, Knitted textiles, knitting, knitting machine, knitting machine maitenance, Machine knitting, Machine knitting; knitmaster;silver reed; knitting, making, Passap, Short-row shaping, Short-rows, Textiles, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The advance copy of my new book arrived today, and you can see some pages from the book here.

Meanwhile here is a quick look at the book.

I have made a more in depth video introduction to the book, and if you would like to watch this, please keep on scrolling down the page.

Proofreading ‘Single and Double Bed Machine Knitting; the Designer’s Guide’

On By vikkihaffendenIn book, books, craft, Creative machine knitting, creativity, Knitted textiles, knitting, Machine knitting, Machine knitting; knitmaster;silver reed; knitting, making, Textiles, Translating between hand and machine knitting1 Comment

I am now part way through proofreading my latest book. It’s a lot knottier checking double bed as well as single bed instructions!

The book covers, without stating the obvious, single and double bed machine knitting techniques and design. Brother,  Silver reed/Knitmaster are the main machines, but Passap machines are also included in some sections.

Step by step instructions are illustrated as well as explained in the text and at the end of each chapter there is a Design Studio exploring how to develop the techniques discussed in the first part of the chapter.

It’s got to be done before Christmas, so early mornings and late nights are the order of the day. I’m baking mince pies when taking a rest from the screen.

If you enjoyed Translating Between Hand and Machine Knitting, or are looking for the definitive book on machine knitting I think to will want this book.  You will be able to pre-order soon so keep an eye out.

‘Single and Double Bed Machine Knitting’; The Designer’s Guide‘ will be published in Spring 2023. Yippee.

Knitting and Wellness

On By vikkihaffendenIn book, craft, hand knitting, Knitted textiles, knitting, making, mindfulness, TextilesLeave a comment

Today met James McIntosh and Dr Thomas Ernst, inventors of the term ‘knititation’ and authors of Knit and Nibble. They had been invited to speak at the University of Brighton School of Art’s Centre for Arts and Wellbeing event, Knitting and Wellness.

When we first met, James told me that he had found The Knitting Book really helpful when he was teaching himself to knit – which was truly gratifying feedback. It’s nice to find out how people use and value my contribution to sharing knowledge.

James was first to speak, and he described his personal journey through depression and how knitting mindfully enabled his recovery and brought colour back into his life. Thomas discussed the science behind mindfulness and it’s aptness to knitting.

Nina Dodds, author of Invisible Jumpers, and I provided yarn and needles so that everyone who wanted to could knit during the event. We were gratified that everyone took up the opportunity!

This was my piece of knitting.

It was a great talk, entertaining and interesting. James and Thomas kindly gave me a copy of their book which I am reading this weekend.

At the end Thomas led a short mindfulness session, which was a new expressive for some of the audience. Hopefully we all left feeling refreshed.

Like James, and so many others, I find hand knitting keeps me calm; it’s repetitive movements bringing my attention back in a rythmic cycle. So now I’ve written this it’s time to take up my needles for a soothing session.

Long Buckby machine knitting club talk

On By vikkihaffendenIn craft, Creative machine knitting, creativity, Knitted textiles, knitting, knitting machine, knitwear, Machine knitting, Machine knitting; knitmaster;silver reed; knitting, making, Textiles, Translating between hand and machine knitting, yarn1 Comment

Today I had a lovely day with Long Buckby Machine Knitting Club. They had asked me to come and talk about my book Translating Between Hand and Machine Knitting and gave me a wonderfully friendly welcome. This meant talking about my experiences as a machine knitter was like sharing with friends.

I met so many interesting people who have interests in common and was pleased to see some younger faces on the audience.

Janet Collins, Chair of the Knitting and Crochet Guild was there and spoke to the meeting about the recent amalgamation of the Knitting and Crochet Guild and the Guild of Machine Knitters. She also gave an impassioned plea for members to encourage younger people to become members. She told me that if the Guild is not offering what young knitters want, the way forward is to find out what they do want and make this an aim, otherwise the Guild will dwindle. As there are 1,500 members this would be a real shame.

I’m now on my way home feeling a warm glow from the kind words and the opportunity to meet genie machine knitters with so many skills.