Machine Knitters, Some tips for Studio/Silver-Reed Machines

SIDE LEVER FUNCTION

Think of the those solid circles & triangles as you would traffic signs.

The side levers on the CARRIAGE of the Studio/Silver machines control the needle selection for patterning from the patterning device. One on each side for each direction of the carriage. i.e. right to left and left to right.

The circle: STOP

The triangle: GO with caution.

The LEADING edge of the carriage will KNIT the pattern, the TRAILING edges of the carriage will PROGRAM the patterning for the next row.

Triangle: GO, proceed patterning with caution. (select the patterning needles)
Solid circle: STOP i.e. as in “do not pattern” (do not select the needles with the patterning info)

The Punchcard patterning device

Triangle: GO with caution. The card will rotate.
Solid circle: Card will STOP and stay in one position.

PUNCHCARDS

Punchcards can be made using paper. Photocopy an original “blank” card onto a heavier stock paper than regular photocopy paper. (Although, photocopy paper will do, in a pinch.) Punch holes in the appropriate places and scissor the card to shape.

The paper ones will have enough longevity for a few uses, but if using for production knitting, I would continue to use the plastic OEM cards.

CLEANING ELECTRONIC CONNECTIONS

When an electronic knitting machine has not been used for some time, the electronic connections oxidize and need a quick clean.

An economical product is Rubbing Alcohol, 99% pure. This product can be purchased at any pharmacy, but many times you will have to ask for it and tell them the intended use.

Electronics cleaning spray can be purchased from any electronics/computer supply store. Hardware stores also carry it.

MISPATTERNING  causes on the Studio electronic knitting machines.

If, the carriage is missing stitches while patterning, the following may be one of the causes. The magnetic sensors have become dirty. Oil from our hands, the lubrication cloth etc,

Clean the sensors that are on rail, point cams. The ones used to set the width of the patterning. You will see something that looks like a flat grey metal imbedded in the plastic holder. Those bits.

Use isopropyl alcohol, the high % kind that you need to ask the pharmacist. ( minimal water in the mix.). It is often stored behind the counter in most drug stores.

Another Option, is an electronics cleaner used on plugs etc of electronics.

LACE CARRIAGE KNITTING

CASTING on method for a Lace project.

. START with the REGULAR carriage. Cast on as usual using waste yarn. ( I use the crochet cast on. Some folks like the double “E wrap” ) Knit some rows, maybe 15 or so. This is to give you some place to weight the work.

. Knit 1 row with ravel cord.

. Cast on again with your lace yarn. ( I Use a crochet cast on method. )Knit 1row.

. CHANGE to your LACE Carriage and proceed to program the drums of the Lace carriage with and lace punch card mechanism. Make sure that the carriage release is UP for a free pass.
A pass to the left and back to where your lace yarn awaits.

. Release the punchcard mechanism to rotate. The Triangle showing.

. Lace carriage with Yarn in feeder.

. Set DIAL to the appropriate setting.

. Reset the ROW counter.

. Proceed to knit.
. Ravel cord will be removed at the finish of the project. I remove after I block the item.
NOTE: The LACE carriage CANNOT knit stitches in “D” position.

PLASTIC BED KNITTING MACHINE LUBRICATION

Wax the BACK RAIL or oil, or use a bar of soap. It will make a big difference in how the carriage slides across the bed.
Some wax, soap or oil on BOTTOM OF CARRIAGE where the needles move through the guides.
Run the wax or soap over the NEEDLE BUTTS.

The yarn may be borderline too thick for the machine. OR, it may be too dry. Lightly spritz the yarn with water.

I have found the plastic bed machines to be noisy. Just the nature of the beast. 🙂 I like this machine, very portable from one work surface to another. My favorite is the Brother 350, hobby machine.

PATTERNING USING THE N1 cam on the STUDIO/SILVER REED ELECTRONIC MACHINES

Yes, EC1 and the Studio electronic machines will pattern without the N1 cam.

What happens is, that the patterning will start at the side edge ( where you have placed the Edge cams/pins) and NOT centre the pattern repeat on your bed.

Certain patterns, it will not matter; others it very much matters whether or not N1 cam is in place between Needle 1 /0 and when it is positioned on the needlebed at another point. I.e needle 20

The EC1 is a very versatile patterning device.

Mary Anne Cutler, Burlington, ON. Canada
http://www.cutlermac.wordpress.com