Machine knitters weave 50 years of history

The Kyabram Machine Knitters Club has been meeting monthly for the past 50 years – exchanging secrets and advice on crafting knitwear with a specialised knitting machine.

Glenda Langley, with nearly 45 years of membership, now leads as the president of the Kyabram Machine Knitters Club.

Mrs Langley spoke at the gathering about the club’s beginnings and her own experiences within the club.

“Kyabram Machine Knitters began 50 years ago in Kyabram by Betty Evans… Betty owned a sewing and knitting shop on Allan St... The group began when everyone who bought machines needed help in getting started in knitting,” Mrs Langley said.

“I joined the group when I was about 20 years old… I have learnt so much and would not be able to knit what I do today if it wasn’t for them.

“Our club has kept going, and although we only have a small group of members, we all enjoy getting together once a month, helping each other with knitting problems and learning new techniques.”

Also in attendance was Susan Varapodio, who has remarkably made over 8,000 knitted pieces over the past 38 years of membership in the club.

“I bought a knitting machine when I was younger, and then I met a few other people who had machines as I got older, and I decided that with having three children, hand-knitting was just too slow – so that’s my history with the club,” Mrs Varapodio said.

“With that little machine, you can do so many different things – it’s just such an interesting hobby, and I love all the things you get to create; there’s just so much variety,” she said.

Celebrations will proceed next weekend with the club attending a knitting machine retreat in Ballarat and continuing to learn the hidden trade of machine knitting.

If you are interested in learning more about the intricacies of machine knitting, please contact Glenda Langley on 0413 666 526.