The link below will take you to my Blogger page ‘Creative Machine Knitting‘, which I will eventually be migrating to WordPress. That is once I have mastered WordPress beyond the basics, and finished writing my latest knitting book, and completed a research project into interactive textiles to mediate understanding of Scabies – so follow the link as it might be a long wait!
Visit – A Guide to Creative Machine Knitting
Meanwhile I would like to introduce my latest book, ‘Translating between Hand and Machine Knitting’, published by Crowood Press in September 2018. This book is lavishly illustrated with over 300 illustrations and clear step-by-step instructions on knitting techniques, stitch structures and fabric constructions.
Unlike many other knitting books, this one explains why knit stitches behave in certain ways, and how to achieve effects using combinations of stitches. Each stitch construction is analysed and explained with diagrams and examples, for example tuck stitch (in hand knitting this is known as broiche stitch) is clearly illustrated so that the route of the yarn is tracked, and effects on vertically and horizontally adjoining stitches can be seen. Fabrics made with this stitch in both hand and machine knitting are illustrated, explained and compared and contrasted in both methods of knitting. The most suitable method is highlighted and pros and cons of methods discussed.
I am proud to say that my book has been written with the primary aim to enable the reader to take control of their knitting and create exactly what they want in both knitted textiles and knitted garment shapes.
It will take pride of place on any knitter’s book shelf, sitting next to The Knitting Book and Knit Step-by-Step.
‘Translating between Hand and Machine Knitting’ – what is in the book?
Knitting is an enduringly popular and creative craft, but many associate the techniques primarily with hand knitting, believing machine knitting to require arcane knowledge. However, machine knitting is formed from the same stitch structures and is equally versatile. Translating between Hand and Machine Knitting rediscovers the potential of domestic machine knitting to open up new possibilities for dedicated knitters, offering an equally creative yet timesaving method of crafting new designs. With over 500 images, this comprehensive guide offers detailed step-by-step explanations of techniques in hand and machine knitting, whilst also offering inspiration and design advice.
Topics covered include:
- Illustrated step-by-step instructions of hand and machine knitting techniques
- Qualities and behaviours of fibres and yarns and their suitability for knitting
- Equipment requirements and advice
- Basic stitches and stitch constructions of hand and machine knitting
- Combining stitches to make surface texture and colour patterns
- Shaping and knitting 3D shapes
- Calculating garment shape and size from tension swatches’
Read more about ‘Translating between Hand and Machine Knitting’
Before you read on, don’t forget to visit: A Guide to Creative Machine Knitting
The Knitmaster/Silver Reed SC3 Linker – what can go wrong? Well I managed to get this one working again – this may be your problem too?
I have had one of these linker accessories for years, and did, at one time, use it. However, it got put away and forgotten about, as is so often the case. It was only recently, whilst writing my latest book , Translating Between Hand and Machine Knitting, and knitting lots of samples on domestic machines that I thought, “that would save me some time!’, and it proved the perfect time to resurrect it.
Of course I had to practise, but still something wasn’t right, stitches were dropping and catching and it was driving me mad. It was jamming as well, which was purely a mechanical problem due to disuse. My son, who is very handy had a look at it, and sorted out the jamming, but it still wasn’t working properly! So it went back in the box whilst I fumed.
Then I got my second wind and decided it wasn’t going to beat me.
Careful looking – and dismantling it so I could see the action properly led me to realise that a little thin metal bar was not doing its job, so that the stitches weren’t being held down and clearing when they should.
I’ve added a few pics here to show what I found, and how I fixed the SC3 so it links a bind off beautifully now!
This is the little metal bar that was not moving.
It should flick up and down, and hold the old stitch in place whilst the next one is picked off the needle bed by the facing needle on the SC3, as shown in the photo below, taken once I freed the jam.
The culprit, that was stopping the bar moving, was a white plastic cog with prongs on it. Judicious use of gentle force, machine oil and patience freed the cog, which then activated the up and down flick of the bar, and hey presto!
The cog is shown below. The linker is turned upside down.
So if your linker is dropping stitches, have a look and make sure the old stitches are being held in place whilst the needle on the linker works.
Transferring a stitch on a knitting machine to make a lace hole, or when shaping.
Vikki Haffenden 