Having good lighting is essential for machine knitters. Here is an INEXPENSIVE lighting solution for knitting machines. It's quick and easy. Materials needed:
Subscribers, check out the video, "Knitting Machine Lighting Fixture" showing the assembly and my dimensions for inspiration to build your own.  |   |
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Let there be light!
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Gimp / Boucle / Slub / Knop yarn construction
Using textured yarn is a great way to add interest to your knitting, by letting the yarn do all the work.
The terms gimp, knop, boucle, and slub refer to spinning multiple plies, where one of the plies is held more loosely as the yarn is spun, forming loops or gimps. The yarn is often held together with a "binder" especially if one of the plies is a roving.
If you are interested in watching how hand spinners create this yarn, search spinning boucle yarn on YouTube.
Here is an excellent reference with clear images describing these types of fancy yarns.
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http://textileapex.blogspot.com/2014/10/fancy-yarn-structures.html
Yarns of this style in the Knit it Now store:
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Yeoman Poodle
The terms gimp, knop, boucle, and slub refer to spinning multiple plies, where one of the plies is held more loosely as the yarn is spun, forming loops or gimps. The yarn is often held together with a "binder" especially if one of the plies is a roving.
If you are interested in watching how hand spinners create this yarn, search spinning boucle yarn on YouTube.
Here is an excellent reference with clear images describing these types of fancy yarns.
http://textileapex.blogspot.com/2014/10/fancy-yarn-structures.html
Yarns of this style in the Knit it Now store:
 Yeoman Grigna |
Yeoman Poodle
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No Cost Tool for machine knitters
No-cost tool Take a stiff business card or an old credit card and cut it to make a latch opener.Open all the latches before re-hanging stitches. Slip the angled edge of the tool under the latches to close them. Use the straight edge to slip under the latches and close them.. Closing the latches will make knitting easier any time you have more than 1 stitch on a needle. There is less chance that the latch will catch causing a jam or mis-formed stitches.
 
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A Year of Machine Knit Pillows - October
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Happy Halloween! This skull has been on my "to do" list for too long. If you are lucky enough to have an intarsia carriage, it's a pretty straightforward project. I used my LK-150 and have no carriage, so I used what I call a "hybrid" knitting method. For the fiddly detail areas like the bones and teeth, I hand knit each stitch (on the machine) the bone color yarn, put those needles in hold and then knit the black background with the carriage. Because this is a pillow, I didn't worry about long floats.  |  |
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Shipping costs
We appreciate your orders!
Shipping costs are very difficult to estimate online. We ship product from a number of different warehouses and make every effort to keep shipping reasonable for you.
If at any time the shipping cost seems too high, please use the "On Account" payment method (don't pay for your order) and add a note to your order for us to manually estimate the shipping.
We will get back to you ASAP with your quote.
Orders outside the US are handled this way as well, so we can accurately quote shipping costs.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity for the sale!
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DAK videos ... at your fingertips
Are you new to DAK8 or stumped by something? Included with your software are an excellent series of tutorials by Karen Kuranda. There are 2 ways to access them:
From within DesignaKnit - click "Help" then "Tutorial"
From Knit it Now - Click "Learn" - "Learning Library" -
scroll to find the DesignaKnit videos
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4 Ways to Estimate Yarn Requirements
One of the most often asked questions is "How Much Yarn do I need?" If you substitute yarn or create your own sweater designs (or variations), learning how to estimate the yardage needed is critical to success.
Here are 4 suggestions.
1. Calculate based on a swatch using math.Measure and weigh your swatch. Use math to estimate the amount of "yardage" needed for your pattern pieces.  |  |
 | 2. Calculate based on a swatch using the Knit it Now ToolEnter your numbers and let Knit it Now do the math!   |
3. Compare yardage estimates from a similar knitting pattern.Check magazines and your pattern library to "guestimate" yarn needed. Rely on your previous experience with machine knitting yarn. |
 | 4. Use the "Knitter's Handy Guide to Yarn Requirements"This is an inexpensive "must have" resource for all knitters |
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Exploring a new-to-me Toyota 858 knitting machine - Episode 1
Do you have more than one knitting machine? They seem to multiply like rabbits! One of the biggest mistakes many knitters make is trying to master multiple machines. They confuse and frustrate themselves by all the buttons, levers and terminology between the different brands. | One of the biggest mistakes many knitters make is trying to master multiple machines. They confuse and frustrate themselves by all the buttons, levers and terminology between the different brands. |
This machine is a standard 4.5 mm machine with a punchcard mechanism. On opening it up, things look pretty straight forward ... 2 parts to the knitting carriage, tension mast, tools, clamps, side rails for the lace carriage ... check, check, check ... this machine is pristine! I checked off the parts list and everything seems to be here, including the cast on combs in good condition. Can't wait to get knitting!
|  Another mystery ... the manual calls this the "Selector Lever". |
| I unlocked the carriage, look how clean this is! It was obviously given a lot of TLC. |  |
This is a 12 stitch punchcard machine, I was given some blank cards, but ... it appears neither of them fit. I'll have to do some research and find the right cards.
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 | Sadly, on closer inspection, the needles are rusted ... no point in going any further. |
Overall this machine is in excellent shape. there are a few things that I need to do before I can start to play.
- Replace the spongebar
- Find the original punchcards
- Clean up or replace the needles
Sorry, little machine I need to pack you back up for another day ...
Stay tuned ... I'm determined to use this machine!
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Want to substitute yarn? No Problem!
So many knitting patterns (both hand and machine) are written for yarn that is no longer available. Here are some suggestions for successfully substituting yarn.
- For coned yarn, use the Knit it Now Vintage Yarn index. The index is stuffed full of yardage and fiber content information. PLUS suggestions for replacements.
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- Use the Knit it Now Gauge Conversion Tool. Simply enter the pattern gauge and your gauge to find the conversion ratio. Multiply the pattern instructions by the ratio to create a custom pattern based on your gauge.
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- Use the Knit it Now Basics patterns. Identify the basic sweater shape used for your pattern. Create a custom pattern based on your gauge. Incorporate the "designer" touches from your printed knitting pattern .... with no math!
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Color Play - a Confession
A confession ... I'm not very good with color. I'm a "plain jane" knitter. If it's not a single color, I tend to choose 3 shades of blue to be safe.
With that being said, our most recent pillow project (Make it Your Way Diagonal Pillow) cried for some color. I went to my stash and found a few cones of Yeoman Tibet. But what colors worked?
Many years ago, at a seminar, I remember the demonstrator (I think it was Michael Becker) suggested the following method to choose colors.
Random 4 row stripes .... so many possibilities!
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Here's the pillow
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check out the weekend project
With that being said, our most recent pillow project (Make it Your Way Diagonal Pillow) cried for some color. I went to my stash and found a few cones of Yeoman Tibet. But what colors worked?
Many years ago, at a seminar, I remember the demonstrator (I think it was Michael Becker) suggested the following method to choose colors.
 | Yeoman Tibet - 3 ply - Wool, Silk and Nylon |
| Playing it safe .... BORING! |  |
 | Add the rust color .... getting interesting.... |
| Oops ... the lilac just doesn't do it! |  |
 | Hmmmm .... looking good! |
Here's the pillow
check out the weekend project
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Happy Holidays from Knit it Now
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Mitten Magic
Can you knit swatches? Do you know how to set your machine to hold position (short rows?) Then you can knit mittens!
Not just for beginners, this book gives you the tools to get creative and knit not only functional mittens, but funky, fun designs.
The fill-in-the-blanks pattern allows you use any yarn and any techniques to create one-of-a-kind masterpiece mittens!
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BONUS:
- Block alphabet to work with duplicate stitch or fairisle
- Gauged knitters graph paper with full size mitten template to chart your own design (4-5-6-7 stitches to the inch gauge)
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What are Knit it Now Credits?
One of the many bonuses for subscribers are credits.
Credits can be used to purchase items created by Knit it Now.
- eBooks
- Home Study Courses
- Patterns (both traditional and dynamic)
- Stitch Pattern Bundles
To help your knitting budget, credits can also be purchased in lots of 25-45-65 for a discounted price.
They do not expire.
Remember these can only be used for items created by Knit it Now and are not applicable to subscriptions.
Subscribers:
Click "Account" to view your available credits.
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Dynamic Pattern and Home Study Course
Free For Subscribers
Here's an interesting, comfortable and fashionable shape that is perfect for knitting on the machine.
With a bit of shaping, pleats and strategic folds, take a simple rectangle and make a beautifully draped garment.
With the Knit it Now Dynamic pattern, you can use any yarn, any machine and any stitch pattern.
The start-to-finish Home Study Course takes the mystery out of construction.
Make it your own!
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Videos: Even better than ever!
Have you had trouble viewing some of our videos in the past?
 | For easy access on all the various devices and browsers available, we’ve moved all of our Learning Library videos to a new platform. This investment will not only make it easier for you to view our tutorials on more devices, it will allow us to do some exciting new things with the website. 5 1/2 years . . . we are still growing and improving to help you be a better machine knitter. |
This change impacts all knitters who enjoy the Knit it Now website. Subscribers, members, newbies and experienced knitters.
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Card Lock Lever - Design possibilities
Often you will see machine knitting patterns with the instruction: "Lock the card at row 5".
The pattern is referring to Knitmaster Card No 1. Most machines have a stitch pattern similar to this |  |
 | Here's the logic for punchcard machines.
Locked: (Circle) Punchcard will advance with the pass of the carriage Unlocked: (Triangle) Punchcard will not advance Check your manual for details about your machine. |
In our sample, the pattern is telling you to instruct your machine (with the punchcard) to select every other needle and continue to select the same needles EVERY row until you tell it to stop.
 | For this sample we used this card for 20 rows. Notice how the light and dark color stitches correspond to the punchcard design. We then "locked" the card and knit another 20 rows. In other words, we stopped the punchcard from advancing. Notice how repeating the current row creates vertical stripes. We then advanced the card 1 row, locked again and knit stripes on the opposite needles. We finished by unlocking the card and continued knitting in the card pattern. |
This technique opens a lot of possibilities. You aren't limited to fairisle. Put on your creative thinking cap and try it yourself!
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Tamm Yarn sale
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Choosing Yarn ... Tips from a Pro
Wool: Woolen yarns come from sheep. It is warm and hard wearing with a great deal of memory. Wool is the only fiber that retains warmth even when wet. However, with the invention of man-made fibers, we can now mix wool with rayon and other synthetics to give and even harder wearing fabric. Manufacturers have also found a method for treating wool and synthetic yarns to make them machine washable. Anti-tickle or Superwash Wool, for example, is effectively "plastic coated" to keep it from matting.
Mohair: Mohair is hair yarn that comes from angora goats. Although mohair goats are raised in Texas, most of the spinning, weaving and dying is done in Europe. Mohair dyes easily in brilliant colors and retains its color well.
Cashmere: Cashmere, also from a goat, is a product of Tibet and Northwetern China. The name comes from Kasmi where beautiful fine shawls have been amde for generations.
Alpaca: Alpaca comes from the Alpaca and Llama. These cousins to the Camel are found in South America. Huacauaand and Suni are the two distinct breeds of Llama, Suni providing the finest grade of yarn. This very soft yarn is wiry and very resilient. The clothing industry consumes most of the alpaca produced.
Vicuna: Vicuna is also from the camalid family. This is the best alpaca obtainable in the world. At one time only a native chief of a member of the roal family had the right to wear vicuna. The fiber is pluched during the three hottest months of the year and production si strictly controlled. These animals have proven very difficult to domesticate.
Angora: This is the fur of the angora rabbit. In France, angora has been raised and spun for over 150 years. Because of its profitability, Americans have begun production, especially in Colorado. This extremely soft and fluffy yarn has a tendency to shed, so it is often blended with other yarns such as wool, rayon, silk and cotton which help to hold the angora fibers together.
| Thickness and Weight: There are as many definitions for the category as there are countries manufacturing yarn. Generally accepted is the following: PLY: The "ply" of the yarn, e.g., 2 ply, 3 ply, 4 ply, etc, does not determine the weight or gauge of the yarn. Ply refers to the number of strands making up the piece of yarn. 3 ply= 3 strands plied or spun into one strand. Gauge: Gauge refers to the weight or thickness of yarn. The higher the gauge, the thinner the yarn. Gauge is determined by the length a standard amount of raw fiber can be spun to. eg: 1 lb or wool spun out to 12 times the standard length would be 12 gauge. If it was spun out to 24 times the standard length, it would be 24 gauge. The usual way of stating gauge is with a fraction. eg: 2/24 gauge means two strands of yarn spun together to give 24 gauge yarn. The Passap machine is generally comfortable with 8 to 14 gauge single yarn or multiples of finer yarn that approach this guideline. Heavier yarns can be knitted using special techniques. Many strands of fine yarn generally produce a softer/looser fabric than the equivalent gauge single strand yarn. |  |
Guidelines on Choosing Yarns and Stitch Sizes
Consider the garment. High twist yarns (smooth, shiny or hard) are usually better for skirts and draped garment such as dresses.
Sable Crepe, Wool Crepe Deluxe, Diamante are all good choices.
Woolen and high bulk yarns are generally better for sweaters, hats, etc., where the garment should retain some shape rather than "cling" to body curves.
ALWAYS try a test square to see how it knits.
- Change tensions
- Change needle setups
- Try different stitch patterns
- Experiment until the yarn knits smoothly and doesn't fall off the needles
ALWAYS KNIT A TEST SQUARE and measure the stitches and rows per 10cm or whatever method is appropriate for the charting device/method in use.
Pat Holbrook is a long-time machine knitter, instructor and store owner. Her website is http://cardiknits.com
Her article originally appeared in the "Pocket Yarn Buying Guide for Machine Knitters" book that is no longer in print.
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What's a Series?
Looking for more information on a specific topic? Check our "series".
The tutorials can be viewed sequentially or choose only the topic you need.
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Knit with 2 Carriages
Although this isn't a new idea, here's a celebrity knitter who really puts her machines to work! |  |
Uses:
- Blend variegated yarns to prevent pooling
- Mix mis-matched dye lots of yarn by knitting random rows of each yarn
- Stripes without switching yarns on both patterning and non-patterning machines
- Mix 'n match stitch patterns with sections of plain knitting without programming or punching a card
- What would you do with 2 carriages?
Visit Karen Allen's Studio
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