 | "Sensuous, flattering, with a hint of eccentricity" The House of Lavene as done it again! Here is a swing-y, flattering, fun coat with designer accents. it is knit side to side on the standard machine (no ribber). Short row godets add flair. Simple stitch patterning and choice of yarn add interest.   |
↧
House of Lavene has done it again!
↧
Extra Light for Finishing
| Extra light for your hand finishing, sewing, hand knitting and crochet. Wear this lightweight, battery operated light like a necklace and have an excellent light source anywhere! Great for hand manipulation on the machine too! We don't often recommend gadgets, but I was able to work thread crochet on an airplane recently . . . made the trip go by faster! |
↧
↧
We have Raglans!
| Raglan sweater Dynamic Patterns have been on the Knit it Now "To Do" list since we created our first Dynamic Pattern. Imagine ... knit a man's, misses or kids raglan sleeve sweater using any machine, any yarn and any stitch pattern .... with NO MATH! These are great "basics" - comfortable, flattering and easy to knit. They provide you with a blank canvas for your creativity! PLUS these are our most detailed patterns ever! Our newest patterns include row by row charts that help you shape the raglan seams and necklines at the same time.  |  |
↧
Lesson Learned - Raglan Seams
As always, I was in a hurry to start and finish a sweater. I was testing our newest raglan basics patterns. Planning a crochet finish on all the edges, I decided to save time and work a simple edge stitch decrease for the raglan seam shaping. I just used a single prong transfer tool and moved the outside stitch to it's neighbor, decreasing a stitch. What happens when you don't leave a seaming stitch on the edge? It's impossible to seam!
|  Try seaming this ugly edge neatly ... |
  | If only I'd used a 2 prong tool .... it would have been just as fast, but by doubling up the 2nd stitch from the edge, I'd have a seaming stitch... and a much prettier seam. |
| For more decorative seam options, look for our newest book "Decorative Raglan Seams for Machine Knitters". |  | 22 pages full of inspiration to make your seams the focus of your raglan sweater. |
↧
A Year of Machine Knit Pillows - June
Tucked Blocks Pillow
June's Weekend Pillow Project combines stripes of color to the texture of tuck. The Knit it Now Dynamic Pattern lets you use ANY YARN and ANY MACHINE!
↧
↧
For Sale: Knitwords Magazines - complete set
↧
No Limit Basics Patterns
 | Subscribers: - Use the Knit it Now Basics as often as you like! - Resize your favorite designs - Change the gauge as needed |
Knit it Now is a work in progress ... at one time we offered limited number of patterns and "builds" for our Basics Patterns. To end the confusion and to encourage you to use our patterns, we now offer subscribers the Basics Collection with NO LIMITS.
More styles are planned ... stay tuned!
↧
Do I have enough yarn?
You have some yarn in your stash and you found the perfect pattern. Determine if you have enough your BEFORE you start knitting with the Knit it Now Yarn Estimator.
|   | |
 | ||
↧
Corrugated Rib on the Knitting Machine
|
Hand knitters work a 2 color ribbing alternating the colors in the knit and purl stitches. Often used with stranded (fairisle) knitting, the results are beautiful! Because of the nature of our knitting machines, we can't work this exactly like hand knitters, but take a look at our newest tutorial "Corrugated Rib on the Knitting Machine" With hand manipulation and a basic understanding of your machine, you can incorporate this technique in your next project. |  |
↧
↧
Mini Hung Hem
 | Most machine knitters are familiar with hung hems. They are an attractive, neat alternative to ribbing for the hems and cuffs of sweaters. We recently used a 3 row hem to start a 2 color vertical striped cuff. It gave us a neat, firm edge that helped tame the curl. | |
This can also be used as a soft edge for lace fabrics. | ||
Mini Hung Hem:
 |   |
↧
Having trouble with some of our tutorials?
Technology ... arghhhhh!
We recently updated some of our older tutorials to be viewable with the latest browsers and devices (who knew 5 years ago that things would change so much?) Details here
The internet gremlins are at it again! The updated tutorials aren't playing in one of the latest versions of Chrome. We made another change on our servers and they are available again ... with one little tweek.
Here what I needed to do the following to get the tutorials working on my computer with Chrome. (Nothing major or permanent, just one small tweek)
If you are having trouble and are uncomfortable with this, please give us a call, we can walk you thru it. You can also use a different browser - Internet Explorer, Firefox etc ... There's more than one way to defeat an internet gremlin! |   |
↧
Vintage Knit King Promotional Video
Watch as Mariette Hartley talks about machine knitting in this promotional video from the '90's.
The fashions (and hairstyles) will make you smile!![]()
The audio is poor, but the images are priceless!
Do you know of other machine knitting advertising from "back in the day"?
The fashions (and hairstyles) will make you smile!
The audio is poor, but the images are priceless!
Do you know of other machine knitting advertising from "back in the day"?
↧
A Year of Machine Knit Pillows - August
August Pillows are bright and cheerful as the weather!
This is a quick-to-Knit project created from 2 rectangles ... 3 seams and you are done!
Use the included written pattern and DAK file ... or create your own!
![]()
![]()
This is a quick-to-Knit project created from 2 rectangles ... 3 seams and you are done!
Use the included written pattern and DAK file ... or create your own!
↧
↧
A Year of Machine Knit Pillows - September
September's Pillow technique includes a lot of inspiration for using cables and color.
This is a good introduction to Intarsia (knitting blocks of color on one row) plus cable practice.
![]()
This is a good introduction to Intarsia (knitting blocks of color on one row) plus cable practice.
 | SUBSCRIBERS: Look for the Weekend Project for this pillow. 4 tutorials plus the printed pattern.   |
↧
Ribber Clamps
A fellow knitter wasn't sure if she had the proper clamps for her machine.
Hopefully these photos will help.
TIP: Use a permanent marker and mark each of the clamps for your machine.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Hopefully these photos will help.
TIP: Use a permanent marker and mark each of the clamps for your machine.
Brother 260 ribber clamps
Brother 970 ribber clamps
Silver Reed LK-150 clamps
↧
Faux Seed Stitch on the Machine
Recently, a fellow knitter wanted to know how to work seed stitch on the machine. With a smile, my response was "very carefully"..... honestly, without a garter carriage, who wants to hand manipulate every other stitch, every row?
But, machine knitters can create a "faux" seed stitch using Tuck.
This is a one-row tuck. Because of the construction of the stitches, the purl bumps are distorted giving a hint of knit and purl stitches.
Don't forget! Tuck stitch knits much wider and quite a bit shorter than stockinette. If you are combining the 2 stitches, you'll need to take this into consideration.
Watch the Knit it Now Tutorial "Stitch Types and Yarn Usage" for more information.
![]()
These two swatches have the same number of stitches and rows![]()
It would be faster to hand knit!Hand Knitting Instructions |  |
But, machine knitters can create a "faux" seed stitch using Tuck.
This is a one-row tuck. Because of the construction of the stitches, the purl bumps are distorted giving a hint of knit and purl stitches.
  |
For programmable machines, set your machine to tuck the opposite needles, every other row. In other words, tuck on one row and knit 1 row plain. Tuck the opposite needles and knit 1 row plain. For manual machines, use the "hold" position.
|
 |  Unlike hand knitting, the purl bumps are on the purl side only, but the knit side of the fabric can be equally (or even more) interesting. This would be useful as an all-over stitch pattern for blankets or scarves. |
Don't forget! Tuck stitch knits much wider and quite a bit shorter than stockinette. If you are combining the 2 stitches, you'll need to take this into consideration.
Watch the Knit it Now Tutorial "Stitch Types and Yarn Usage" for more information.
These two swatches have the same number of stitches and rows
↧
Set In Sleeve
| A fellow knitter recently commented that her set in sleeve pattern looked "wonky". There were 74 rows in the armhole opening and 62 rows in the sleeve cap. She thought the sleeve cap was "too short". Taking a look at how a set in sleeve is inserted in the armhole, notice that the red line MUST be the same length as the green line. (This drawing isn't to scale, but you get the idea). If the sleeve cap had an equal number of rows, it would be too big for the armhole! When you work this seam, you are joining stitches to stitches at the underarm (blue line), rows to rows, then stitches to rows at the very top (Yellow section). |  |
Subscribers: There are 3 common reasons for set in sleeve failure ... learn to avoid them!
| PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! Here's a basic set in sleeve pattern that you can use with any yarn and any machine! (Even Hand knitting). Create mini or full size sleeves to perfect your shaping and seaming skills.  |  |
↧
↧
Production Knitters Needed
US Based Machine Knitters (Bulky or Standard) wanted for production of children's cotton sweaters, hats and blankets. Company in business over 20 years, weekly orders, weekly pay, year round work plus bonus'. Flexible schedule, all materials provided and shipping costs paid. If interested please contact mjkknits@nyc.rr.com
NOTE: Knit it Now has no affiliation with MJK Knits
↧
Prevent UFO's - Plan Ahead
"My sweater (sleeve, neck opening, ribbing) is too big!"
You find a pattern style you want to knit and it looks great on the model or in the drawing. You knit exactly to the pattern instructions and it comes out too large or small.
Don't let this happen to you!
| BEFORE you start to knit, examine the pattern schematic.
Does the pattern dimension match the dimension of your favorite sweater? If not, make adjustments BEFORE you start knitting! |  |
- Pencil and Paper Charting
This video will introduce you to the Knit it Now Taper Tool PLUS walk you through the pencil and paper calculation for lengthening or shortening a sleeve. - Magic Formula
If you are comfortable with math, learn how to accurately calculate the shaping instructions for any increased or decreased piece ... with no guesswork! - Tools
Forget the math! Use the Knit it Now Magic Formula Tools - Dynamic Patterns
Our dynamic patterns provide a quick link to a tool for re-calculating sleeve length. Just enter your desired length and follow the new instructions for perfection.
↧
Where's my Pattern?
Traditional or Dynamic, all patterns you have purchased are stored in your personal library.
| Click "KNIT" - then click "My Pattern Library" |  |
 | Click "Account" to find your Patterns as well as the details of your Knit it Now account, including purchases, subscription info and profile details. |
↧