FREE Pattern: April Shawlette

This Shawlette pattern is using 100 gm of yarn.

Red Heart Unforgetable acrylic yarn. The colouring is amazing.

How to………. April Shawlette

1ball (100 gm), Red Heart Unforgetable yarn. Tuck stitch patterning,

54 in/136 cm long.

9 mm Chunky knitting machine. I use a Studio SK 890 electronic with the EC1 for patterning.

Stock pattern stitch on OEM mylar using the EC1

METHOD:

Cast on 30-0-30

Dial tension setting 4

Knit one row,

Change dial to Tuck stitch

Knit in Tuck stitch until yarn is finished.

Allow enough yarn for the cast off. (4 x width measured over knitting on the needles)

Fold in half. Finish by sewing a small seam for the shoulder/ head opening. ( possibly 3 inches/7.7 cm ). Add 3 buttons for decor.

Feel free to make one of your own.

Mary Anne Cutler,

Yet Another Canadian Artisan, 2017

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A few Cuties

These were presented at Show &Tell at my local, Burlington Machine Knitters Guild.

These are “hat” kits that Rosanne knit up on her Chunky knitting machine. The heads are secured with a button type disk that was supplied in the kit.

Another item that drew attention was this shawl, that one of the members graciously modelled. It was also knit using a knitting machine.

Roving spun and Spring

The local temps here is Southern Ontario, Canada is still ranging in the low  -0 C, but we crave Spring. Hats made of Roving spun yarns is still appropriate. Patons yarn and others have made them available in our stores. I prefer the 100% wool, although synthetic yarns are also available.

Here are a couple of hats using the Roving spun yarns AND some photos of a local Spring Bulb Show.

SLIP Stitch…….grid type

I was aiming for a grid type stitch fabric with SLIP stitch on the Knitting Machine. This type of fabric can be produced most readily using a Knitting machine that has an automatic patterning system, no matter if Punch card, Electronic or Electronic connected to patterning software. The Manual knitting machines and the Plastic Hobby machines too, but require hand pulling of the needles, every row.

Here are a few samples to view and consider possibilities.

The place matt was using Caron Cake yarn, an acrylic yarn. I think it is “whimpy” and could an “iron-on” backing. The other was using a thinner Cotton yarn.

Most any card can be used for Slip Stitch; the bottom patterns would be more useful for a Grid.

The fabric produced can be used for placemats, cushion covers, chair covers, wall hangings. It also produces a fabric suitable for skirts and jackets.

Enjoy the discovery of various yarns and stitches on the Knitting Machine.

Wool Yarn 44 years and counting……never too old, well maybe……..

I am knitting with some donated vintage yarn. Being a “wool snob”, I thought I could make something. Why waste pure wool. To the touch, a little stiffish, but overall fine. I didn’t realize how old it was until I closely examined the label. 1973. In those days, not as much information was printed on the ball bands. The yardage, the suggested gauge, the needle sizing for our global community, all are recent additions. In addition there are now bands with a printed pattern on the inside of the band.

A winter hat evolved. A warm water soak with a dose of hair conditioner and a nice hat emerged. Surprisingly, it was not too dirty and minimal dye fading. I initially thought this yarn would be delegated to felted insoles!

Overall, a pleasant surprise.

Playing with Yarn….Red Heart Scrubby

I thought, I would give it a test ………washcloths, dishcloths, scrubby for pots and pans…..

In the end, I liked the Pot scrubbers best. Crochet and Chunky Knitting machine made ones.

For the Knitting machine Pot Scrubber, I followed Diana Sullivans’ Pot Scrubby You-tube tutorial.

I followed her pattern and tested on both the Mid-gauge and the Chunky knitting machines. The yarns do differ, the glitter ones and the non-glitter ones perform differently from each other on the knitting machines.

1 ball produced these. The torture test………removing debris on a glass surface cooking surface……. it performed well.

Crochet version

Shawl shape….suggestions

These shapes can be handknit, crochet or by knitting machine.

The common factor is to increase (add on) a few stitches (perhaps 5 stitches) at the side of the shawl and knit a number of rows 7 or 8, to where ever your yarns ends for the next increase.

PLEASE NOTE: The angle of the shawl changes with the number of stitches and rows between increases. A test swatch is recommended to achieve that angle that is desired.

Repeat this sequence for as long or wide of your desired shawl.

The decreases are worked the same way if you choose that shape.

Have fun with these shapes.

Machine Knitting Guild activities

Our local Machine Knitter Guild celebrated our Xmas Holiday meeting. We enjoyed a potluck meal and socializing.

Show and Tell, a bit of eye candy of the various stitches and yarns in the projects.

The group had a large project knitting challenge. Wonderful blanket type items were submitted. There was a random draw for cash prizes for those that submitted.

The Final entertainment was the Silent Auction of knitting related items. What a wonderful choice of items submitted by members of the group. The picture represents 1/2 of the items in the Auction. A small commission was donated to the Guild. It was great fun bidding up each other. Some of us seem to like the same goods. 😇

<<
that wasn't enough, there was a draw for the Christmas cactus and poinsettia table setting plants.

Everyone went home happy. Even the weather co-operated as many members drive over 1 hour to attend.<<<<<
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SPA Treatment for Knitting Machine Needles

Method as follows for VERY DIRTY NEEDLES

1. Remove the retainer bar from the metal knitting bed, then remove the needles.
2. Wash the needles in dish soap to remove oily residue, i.e Dawn. (Like the TV advertisement for the ducks/birds.)
3. If “rust” is noted, a soak in a strong black TEA solution will assist in removing the rust. Yes, the kind of tea that you drink.
4. Then, rinse and treat them to a Soak in isopropyl alchol and a bit of light oil in the solution. Gun oil is good. Hoppes is one brand. If purchasing the gun oil, buy the type that is suitable for plastics.
5. DRY well; perhaps a bit of exposure to heat on a tray in your oven to enhance complete drying.

Before reinstalling……

1. Inspect latches for free movement.
2. Inspect for Straight alignment of shafts and butts.
3. Replace as needed.

Further procedures may be needed before returning to the machine. Inspection of needlebed and perhaps more cleaning of the bed is required.

Please Note:

Storing any metal object in an atmospherically humid area will induce rust. Knitting machines should not be stored in non- climate controlled garages, humid basements, or leaky water prone sheds or attics. Known humid global locations are more conducive to “rust” formation. Breathable fabric covers go along way to contain dirt and dust buildup as well as a quick clean AFTER EVERY PROJECT.

Crochet hat, no crown

I didn’t write a pattern for this one, but many crocheters will be able to duplicate.

A combination of DOUBLE CROCHET stitches and SLIP stitch.

4.25 mm hook.

Yarn is Red Heart UNFORGETTABLE, an acrylic.