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I always enjoy viewing the work of fellow machine knitters. The Finger Lakes Seminar in Cortland, NY presented a weekend of eye candy, techniques and ideas, contests. The knitters from the Silver Needles Machine Knit Club of the Finger Lakes hosted the 2 day event. Here are some photos of the works that were presented … Continue reading
This is a scarf starting with 3 stitches and then INCREASING, 1 stitch on 1 side only, on every 4th row…….this produces a straight edge on one side. Join the 2nd ball and on the same side, (the increased edge) DECREASE 1 stitch, every 4th row until 3 stitches remain. Cast off.
PATTERN is *knit 3 rows, purl 1 row* and repeat until one ball (50gm) is used.
TOOLS: 2 balls of 4 ply Kroy Sock yarn, 3.25 mm needles.
BLOCKING: Handwash and lay out to air dry. Slight steam to edge to finish.
A Knitting machine could be used with the use of a “garter bar” flipping to achieve the purl row. This is a good project to become familiar with the use of a garter bar.
I gather yarn leftovers from other projects. Mixing , matching, blending, combining together to form a new colour and textured yarn. Machine knitting type yarn on cones can be set on the floor near my Easy Chair and then just knit up together. I especially like to mix together and produce a heavier weight yarn that is too annoying to knit on the knitting machine, but works well for handknitting.
The yarns are a mix of acrylic and cotton. The finished item can be machine washed readily.
Stitches……I tend to knit a mindless type stitch. Garter stitch which produces a heavier fabric is nice for a floor mat, bathmat, rug type item.
The Needle size that I seem like, is a 7 or 8 mm with a LONG cord. The longer the better. 40″ or plus, if it can be found.
I Cast on as wide as I like and then knit straight up to the length as desired or run out of yarn. Adding an additional unusual colour can often give the project some pizzaz.
This video is in German, but the visuals are interesting. It’s about how multicoloured sock yarn is dyed by the big manufacturers.
If you are “hawk eyed” there is a quick glimpse of a Silver Reed knitting machine in the Design area.
This device on a domestic knitting machine is often overlooked. We hear of cleaning the needles, cleaning the bottom of the carriage and other bits.
The brushes on the knitting arm also collect lint and dust. It seems to build under the brush wheels, more so than the rubber ones. These brush wheels can be replaced if the bristles are too worn. The picture is of a Silver-Reed/Singer/Studio chunky machine.
Unscrew the the brush assembly, careful to not lose the screw. Lift of and inspect the buildup of felted lint.
Lift off the lint and give the actual brush a careful look. You will more than likely see yarn strands caught up in the bristles. I use needlenose plyers to gently pull out the strands and not pull out the bristles. Of course, you can order new brushes if they are too distorted. They can be purchased from you Silver-Reed dealer and are very inexpensive. The rubber wheels tend to become brittle over time and perhaps should also be replaced while they are available.
Susan Guagliumi has posted an excellent article about tension and the knitting machine on her web page.
This is a good review for all machine knitters.
This is a FREE pattern that can be found at the following sites.
http://slisen.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/chemo-kerchief.html
http://ravelry.com
These were knit on a standard gauge knitting machine. Tension 7 or 8
I keep a drawerful items for giving, when an appropriste need arises. This hat/kerchief can also be worn under a motorcycle helmet.
What to do with 100 gm of yarn that does not have enough yardage for a hat. Big holes help to get more useful benefit out of the yardage. Large hook, 10 mm. “How to”Crochet stitchs are usually pictured in the back of all magazines.
Sometimes, we have a particular look in mind and the yarn plays tricks. Initially, I thought the woven side would be the Public side, but when I was doing my finishing blocking, I realized that I rather liked the reverse.
Placing it on my coffee table, and trying on both sides for looks, I decided to use the backing side. It seemed to suit the location with a more conservative feel.
HOW TO……..machine knit on a Chunky Silver Reed SK890 or SK155
Material
Suri Silk yarn, 100gm
Wool solid colour, 100gm
Electronic Pattern #1, Punchcard #1 (1×1)
ox
xo
Dial tension 4
Cast-on 48 stitches. (24-0-24)
Knit weave technique, wool background yarn, the Suri Silk is the woven portion.
Size: 13″ x 36″ long
NOTE: I was told that this Suri silk yarn is handspun by women in India; that they gather the sweepings off the floor in the textile factory, take it home, spin it and sell it through a co-op.
Method:
Set up patterning device. Program it as per your machine manual instructions.
K2 row stockinette.
Begin to Knit weave, pull out needle to “D” position closest to carriage on “Every” Row.
Continue to knit weave using up all Suri Silk yarn.
K2 rows, Cast off.
Blocking:
Soak in a mild soap/shampoo solution. Rinse well. ( mine bled blue dye).
Wrap in a towel and squeeze to absorb some of the moisture.
Pin out to shape and Air dry. Project softens beautifully.
Finished
To fringe or not to fringe………
This yardage would also look nice as a Wall hanging or cut it in half, pick up open stitches on the cut ends and finish.
Yet Another Canadian Artisan
Mary Anne Cutler, 2016
http://www.cutlermac.wordpress.com
http:/www.usefulstuffforsale.wordpress.com
