Lesson 4: Getting Started
Stuff You Should Know
Tension
We'll talk more about tension when we cover swatching, but for now, be aware of the tension setting on your machine in relation to the yarn you are using.
If stitches don't form correctly and seem really small, chances are the tension is too tight. Loosen up and try again
If stitches seem irregular, or the work drops off the machine, double check that they yarn is positioned correctly in the tension dial on the yarn mast.
If stitches don't form correctly and seem really small, chances are the tension is too tight. Loosen up and try again
If stitches seem irregular, or the work drops off the machine, double check that they yarn is positioned correctly in the tension dial on the yarn mast.
Master your Row Counter
Machine knitters MUST count rows. We cannot measure the length of our knitting as it hangs on the machine.
Because the stitches are stretched between the needles and we hang weights as we are knitting, the fabric is distorted at first. (We'll talk more about this in the swatching section)
Your row counter makes easy work of keeping track of rows for you.
Because the stitches are stretched between the needles and we hang weights as we are knitting, the fabric is distorted at first. (We'll talk more about this in the swatching section)
Your row counter makes easy work of keeping track of rows for you.
If you start your knitting at Row Counter (RC) 000 AND your carriage is on the right, it's easier to keep track of your rows. If the row on the counter is an EVEN number the carriage should be on the right.
Knitting Fell off the machine @%^$!
One of the most frustrating things for ALL machine knitters is the knitting falling off the machine. It WILL happen to you
If there is no yarn in the carriage (for a number of reasons) the knitting will fall off the machine:
If there is no yarn in the carriage (for a number of reasons) the knitting will fall off the machine:
- You run out of yarn and don't notice
Keep an eye on your yarn. You'll need AT LEAST 3x the length to complete a row. Stop; at the end of a row and start a new end of yarn. Leave the tails at the edge of the knitting to work in later. - The yarn breaks
- The yarn isn't seated correctly in the carriage yarn feeder
- The patterning levers are set incorrectly for the needle positions.
For now, just keep checking that your carriage is set for plain knitting
Loops or sloppy edges
Taking the carriage too far past the edge of the knitting can cause loops.
Not taking it far enough can cause the knitting to fall off the machine.
If you rip out a row, or there's a lot of slack in the working yarn, pull down on the yarn behind the mast and re-engage the tension spring
Not taking it far enough can cause the knitting to fall off the machine.
If you rip out a row, or there's a lot of slack in the working yarn, pull down on the yarn behind the mast and re-engage the tension spring
Knots in the yarn
The tension guide can help when you have loose tangles coming from your ball or cone.
But knots in the yarn can get caught in the tension dial on the mast. They can also get caught in the carriage mechanism. The only way to prevent this is to re-wind your yarn, watching for knots as you are winding.
Unlike hand knitting, we can't feel a knot before it's knit and they are just a fact of life for machine knitters.
But knots in the yarn can get caught in the tension dial on the mast. They can also get caught in the carriage mechanism. The only way to prevent this is to re-wind your yarn, watching for knots as you are winding.
Unlike hand knitting, we can't feel a knot before it's knit and they are just a fact of life for machine knitters.
The tension guide can help when you have loose tangles coming from your ball or cone.
Starting a new yarn
We don't want to put knots in our knitting and then expect them to travel through the tension mast and the carriage.
If you are running out of yarn or you want to change colors:
If you are running out of yarn or you want to change colors:
- At the edge of your knitting, remove the working yarn from the tension assembly and the carriage
- Thread up the new end or color
- Hold both ends in your hand or with a clip
- Start knitting with the new strand
- Work in the ends when you finish knitting
