We're so pleased you're here, @Sandra Falinska and @Ruby Dack — we hope you settle in quickly and feel right at home. A couple of things to get you started: 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼 — introduce yourself in the community: Introduce Yourself 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘁 — when you're ready, head to the beginner module I've put together especially for new machine knitters: Begin Your Machine Knitting Journey And you won't be on your own — there are plenty of other newbie members in MkH who are right there alongside you. 🧶 You'll also find a 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 section in the Classroom if you'd like to get the lay of the land first — and if you ever have a question, there's a dedicated questions category in the community posts. Clear instructions on how to post are in the Start Here module, so you're never left guessing. Welcome aboard — and remember, the more you engage, the more MkH grows around your machine knitting journey. 🧶

We made it! However your week's gone — full-on, quiet, a bit of both — I hope you've got something nice planned for the next couple of days. I'd love to know: what's been the highlight of your week? Big or small, doesn't matter. And if this week's been more "just about survived it," that counts too — no judgement here, we've all had those weeks. A little shoutout to: @Debra Verrall did you finish that ton of work to before you went to bed? @Gayle Lunau Sherman how are you getting on with your sweater? Oh, and did you check out the beginners start here module? @Mirijam Pasquini did you resolve your foil problem? @Joy Green did you try out more lace patterns on your machine? @Glenna James how's your vintage pattern hunting going? You can always ask inside this community - pop a post and use the category questions. @Donna Mnisi have you checked out the classroom yet? The beginners start here is the best place to learn the basics. @Auli Takala what's on your knitting needles this week? I hope @June E Mackenzie is enjoying her holiday! @Jane Harbison how's your week gone? Any highlights for you? @Lindsay MacGregor I know you're having some time away at the moment, but I just wanted to check in with you and ask how your week's gone? It's not always about the knitting. @Suzanne Bell I know life is hectic for you at the moment, but just wanted to say hi and I hope you're week's getting a bit calmer for you. @Claire Amelia how's the chickens and the ducks after the sad event this week?

Hand knitters versus machine knitters — ever had to defend yourself? If you've told a hand knitter you use a machine, you may have got The Look. The slight pause. The 'oh, so it does it for you?' comment. Machine knitting has an image problem in some circles and most of us have a story about navigating that assumption. The irony being that machine knitting has its own enormous skill curve that takes years to master. Tell us your best 'defending the machine' story — and what you said that ended the conversation.

Welcome to the Hub, @Ann Yanes and @Glenna James ! It's wonderful to have you here. What I love most about this community is the variety of paths that bring people here. Different machines, and complete beginners all on different journeys — but always the same thread running through it all. A love of the craft and a want to keep growing. That's what we're built on. ❤️ So glad you found us, Ann and Glenna — looking forward to getting to know you!