Having spent the last few weeks trying to master the Dubied, at last I feel that I now have some kind of rapport with the machine. After endlessly setting up sample after sample, only to knit a few rows before the yarns breaks yet again, I have become more sensitive to the exacting nature of this beast. Every time another sample drops to the floor, or ladders down to the cast-on, I understand a little bit more. Whether it's the tension springs that are too tight, the yarn feeders that snag the yarn or the weights that are to heavy....you have to love the Dubied to have the patience to carry on.

Choosing to work with only the finest of yarns, I have made life much more difficult for myself. The Escorial wool is too weak to use on its own and looks unattractive when combined with a polyester thread to improve dynamics. The silks are stronger but are a nightmare to handle with rough winter hands!

Today however, was a success and I have some beautiful samples, using, silk, lycra and 'tuck' stitch. Deciding on a colour palette at an early stage has been an advantage and I'm working with a red, crimson and black scheme, inspired by the theme of 'Remembrance' and the 'Poppy Drift' by Martin Waters that was installed in Holy Trinity Church, Hull, last November. This was particularly poignant to me as my birthday fell on 11.11.11,  Armistice Day.