Test Knitting Done!

It has been such fun to work with Mary Anne Oger doing some test knitting for her.

She sent me some great mercerized cotton yarn to work with.  This yarn knits beautifully.  Mary Anne said wait until I wash and dry it (yes machine wash and into the dryer), you are going to like it a lot.  Wow was she correct!  Soft and cuddly, stitch definition is terrific and really holds it shape!  This project is all stockinette stitch one needs to be careful as any error (yours or the machine) will show!

The yarn is Bonita by Knitcraft.  I've seen this yarn suggested by Mary Anne for projects in her magazine "Knitwords" years ago but never used it, I'm sorry I hadn't.  Now I hear they may stop producing it.  Mary Anne will have the pattern available for purchase on her blog very soon - click here.  There is a ladies version too so make one for each of you!

Here are a couple of photos of the test knitting project "Manfriend Hoodie":

Just Waiting On A Proper Zipper

Zipper On It's Way

Knit In Pocket

Mary Anne Has A Great Technique For Hood Casing!

Updates And A Great Looking Machine Knit Trim

Time seems to fly doesn't it?  I've been busy with my full time day job but still knitting away.  Just started a soft pink vest and knit a bit every night.  Was starting a lace scarf for a lady who seems to love and wears some type of one daily.  As you know lace is not always cooperative and the yarn has to be perfect (for what is in my mind)...so, that continues in between projects.

Rocking Horse Farm in St. Cloud Minnesota has asked me to teach at their September seminar.  I'm working through the topics  they want me to teach.  It will be fun, you can visit them here:  RHF

I gladly agreed to test knit a new pattern for Mary Anne Oger.  The yarn arrived yesterday and once she has time to finish the pattern (and send it off) I'll be creating sparks on the machine to get it done quickly.  If you would like to visit her website click on her name above.

Lastly, Diana Sullivan, in celebration of her more than 10,000 YouTube subscribers and over 3,000,000 views has posted a  beautiful tailored edge trim video on her blog & on YouTube.  I can see this trim on so many items.  Click here to check it out: Latch Tool Cast On Trim

Happy Easter

Finishing School A Resource For All Knitters

Machine knitting mentor Diana Sullivan has released her latest course "Knitters Finishing School" - it's been a while in the making.

I enjoyed lunch with Diana and her husband when she was here in Las Vegas.  We talked for hours and could have kept on going!  I remember us talking about this, I was excited this was in her "list of to do's" as I have received many questions on finishing.

Seeing she had released this I quickly ordered one.  It's a great reference tool for all knitters, beginners to experienced.

Take a look and learn from one of the best!

Click on the below link to take you to her blog and posting, you can order directly from this page:

Diana's Finishing School Course

Keep in mind you can knit really beautifully but if your finishing is not precise and professional your items will suffer.

A Returning Machine Knitter Who Is Awesome!

I received an email from Judy B. asking for some guidance with double bed knitting.  She was asking about double bed jacquard and yarn suggestions.  I have to agree with Judy, the different ways we have to select yarn weights can be confusing.  What was amazing to me is she stated "I am returning to MKg after many years. I am self taught which is probably why I'm struggling so now. "  Doesn't appear from her photos that she is struggling!  Judy, most of us are self taught that can be a good thing.

Judy was kind enough to send some pictures of her projects.  I  complimented her as the projects are awesome and asked if she minds me posting her pictures, she was kind enough to say yes. Judy also sent the links to some of the patterns she knit.  I see a Diana Sullivan Bunny in there!

Speaking of my friend Diana Sullivan, Judy used Diana's zig-zag scarf method for the blanket.  Judy stated:  "The zig zag blanket was done using Diana Sullivan's video for a ribbed zig-zag scarf.  The only change I made was to change racking directions every 10 rows rather than every 20 rows. I LOVE this pattern cuz once it's done, it's done - no need to add a binding/edging."

LINKS: 
The bonnet was from this link - must scroll down to "Lacy Baby Bonnet" by Lora Kinnan:
http://www.daisyknits.com/freemkpats.htm
The booties were from:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2006/04/18/favourite_tiny_baby_booties_mkp_feature.shtml

Beautiful

Nicely done!

Perfect

 As an added bonus she sent this link to eliminate floats in multi color work.  I do know of this technique and have used it with great success.  I do like the slide show with pictures (like some of my posts) and I know of the artist and her work.
http://www.slideshare.net/mobile/lornahamiltonbrown/ladderback-jacquard

Thank you for sharing with us Judy and send more of your photos.

Mitered V-Neckband Method

I received an email today asking about V-Neckbands so I thought let me do a quick photo tutorial and post it.  When adding a mitered neckband to a V Neck sweater or vest I find it very easy to do it this way.  Yes there are other ways to do it but with this being so simple why not?  After all knitting is supposed to be "enjoyable" not tedious!

This is not to offer you all the ways to obtain the amount of stitches needed for a band or how to attach the band, just the method for obtaining the center point of the V (the miter) without transferring all the stitches.  Keep in mind for best results you should only be increasing after knitting two rows of the 1x1 ribbing.  So if knitting a ten row band you would increase four times, a stitch on each end for a total of eight stitches increased. The live stitches (see photo) are used to attach the band to the neckline.

Take a look below.  Note:  I knitted a sample on the bulky (easier to demo) to photograph for you (light blue yarn photographs very well).

Started using 10L-9R in 1x1 ribbing, cast on & circular rows completed then I knitted 2 rows of ribbing.

Transferring MB heel stitch from 9R to RB needle 10R.

Transferring MB 10L to RB 11L, then K2R.

Transferring heel stitch of RB 10R to MB 11R.

Transferring RB 11L to MB 12L, K2R.  Continue increasing one stitch on each end knitting two rows in between the increases.

After last increases have been made K2R, transfer to MB and K1R at garment tension (garter row).  The side facing you is to be used as the public side of band.  

Note the increases on each side and garter row just below the dark WY.  Also, the transfer tool is placed in the edge to indicate where you would be mattress stitching the miter together, it's not the usual bar, more of a "loop and knot." 

If you have a Brother Ribbing Techniques Book, this method is detailed there but I find it easier to look at the photos.

Beautiful & Neat Ribber Cast On

This ribber cast on is similar to a more common one where you cast on on with WY and ravel cord then knit a zig zag row and drop the ribber stitches.  I've tried that one and thought the edge was a bit too loose.  This one I really like.

I am not the creator of this, a friend sent me some notes she made years ago.  We both had to try it out and I think it's terrific!  No bulky edge, no split "Y's" on the edge, it lays flat, nice stretch and so simple to do.

I took some photos today on the bulky so you can follow along.  I have a description under each step by step photo.  Give it a try.

Park MY in between beds on left side.  T0/0 cast on with ravel cord from right to left - hang ribber comb and weight as usual - remove ravel cord from ribber arm and replace with MY.

Set ribber carriage to hold.  On my Brother 260 it is the silver tabs down.

Place all ribber needles to E position (hold).

With MY knit one row left to right.  Only the main bed will knit, ribber will place yarn around needles in hold.

Take ribber carriage out of hold and set main bed to knit circular right to left and ribber carriage to knit circular left to right.  Knit one row right to left (ribber will not knit).

Knit second circular row left to right (only ribber bed will knit).

Set tension on both beds to your ribbing tension, set machine to knit rib (cancel any part buttons) and away you go!

Just off the cast on comb.

Ravel cord removed.  Look at the nice edge stitches!  Snug and flat.

Here is the swatch stretched out over the gate pegs.

Note:  To do this on 2x2 (2x1 arrangement), follow the steps for cast on and knitting first row left to right.  Before you take ribber out of hold and knit the first circular row, place all of the main bed needles that are out of work into B position.  Knit the first row right to left then drop the stitches on the needles you just put into work and place needles out of work.  Continue as above.

Easy Fingerless Mitts

A friend who is a machine knitter asked if I had a pattern for fingerless mitts, I did and off it went to her.  She was kind enough to test knit a pair and helped clear up my instructions.  When I make notes sometimes there are several versions and I sent her a little from this and a little from that.  She was kind enough to help me get it sorted out.  This is for the bulky machine, I use a 260E but this will work on any bulky.

Here are the instructions and step by step photos (at the bottom) to guide you through.  The thumb is short row increased onto the mitt.  My hand measures 8-1/2 inches around widest part of the palm.  You can add fair isle, intarsia and etc.

Bulky Fingerless Mitts

Worsted Yarn (No. 4 med)

RB T-3; MB T-5

32 stitches, H2 racking

MB 16L-16R

RB 15L-14R

Hand

T-0, H2 racking, Slider I

MB 16L-16R

RB 15L-14R, bring into work purl stitch 17L (for cast on only)

Cast on for rib in 2x2 (2x1); hang comb and weights

COL, T-1, Slider II, set part buttons for both carriages to knit selvage

Knit 3 circular rows

COR, H3 racking, T-3, Slider I, release part buttons

Transfer left end ribber stitch 17L to main bed needle L16 and return empty needle to A 

K26 rows rib

RC 26

P2 racking

Transfer RB stitches to MB to knit stockinette (or any pattern)

T-5

K to RC 32

Place marker on each end for thumb

K to RC 44

Place second marker on each end for thumb

K to RC 50

Transfer stitches for 1x1 rib, decreasing one stitch (or left two stitches remain on MB)

T-3

K in rib to RC 56

K1 row (R to L) at T10

RC 57, COL

Transfer ribber stitches to main bed

Loose chain bind off (loop through loop from R to L)

Thumb

Hang edge of thumb between markers - 8L-1L (for left side).  Then hang right side 1L to R7 (two stitches on 1L to prevent hole)

All needles in E position, start short row inc, wrap first needle ( 2R) as well as needle on carriage side.  Inc 2 sts each row (opp carriage), wrap needle on carriage side every row, on last row you will have 3 sts to increase.

K3R

Transfer stitches for 1x1 ribbing.

K4R

K1R right to left at T10, chain bind off.  Sew seams.

Note needle arrangement for 2x2 (2x1) and the left end needle on the ribber needed to cast on

Zig-zag row - note needle 17L on ribber

Have problems with a transfer needle?  Use the transfer tool instead!  Three  circular rows done, transferring needle 17 on ribber to main bed.

2x2 ribbing completed.

After transferring stitches to main bed for hand, knit stockinette.  Here I placed the first marker for thumb gore.

Second thumb marker added.   

All stockinette completed, transferring sts for 1x1 rib.

Hand done.  The red markers are the beginning of thumb gore.

With private side facing hang right side of mitt first on needles 8L-1L.

The ribbing facing you is the top of the mitt, the cuff is toward the back of the machine.  Hang left side of mitt on needles 1L-7R hanging the 8th stitch on needle 1L (prevents a hole forming).  Note two red markers are on same needle - (start of bottom thumb gore).

Needles 1L & 1R in FWP.

Yarn comes from carriage and over the needles in hold between needles 1 & 2R.

One row knit.  Wrap needle 2R with yarn tail.  Wrap needle 2L.

After short row increasing K3R.

Thumb stitches transferred for ribbing.

Thumb completed.

Tidy up your cast on by running a needle through the edge and pull stitched into alignment.  This makes the edge neat.

Seamed and ready to wear.

Download From Your Computer To Your KM

I've been a bit busy playing with img2trk which enables us to take any image and download into our knitting machines. The programs (there are 3 to use) work with the 930, 940 and 950i.    It's not "hacking" your knitting machine.  Your computer will take the place of a PPD all in just a few minutes not hours (entering one stitch at a time).

It's really very simple to do, no really!  You need a cable (I bought mine online) that has the same end as a PPD has on it's cable (FTDI pin plug), the other end is a USB.  You download the software (3 minutes at most) and you are ready.

Once you open the program you simply select your image and in seconds your knitting chart appears.  You plug into the knitting machine, turn it on and enter the pattern just as you would from a PPD, that's it.  The program gives you the option to play with stitches and rows (pixels) and allows you to program up to 6 colors.  The below image is a picture of my best friend "Mikey" and was 131 rows in the one track.  If images are larger it will automatically create the different tracks.  My studio is next to my office where I have my mac.  I needed 35 feet of usb cable.  I purchased 5, 10' cables ($7) and simply plugged one into the other.

Think of the possibilities!

Mikey's Picture

My Mikey In Knit!

Beautiful Button Holes In A Stockinette Band

Nyann is once again showing us her excellent and refined skills.  Watch as she knits a stockinette  button hole band and how nicely she exectutes the button hole finishing.

She finished the button holes in white nylon so you can follow her steps.  At the end she shows you the sweater completed.  Easy huh!