Sponge Bar Replacement & KRC1000 Set-up/In Action

One of my favorite machine knitters (Nyann Goro in Japan) who knits beautiful items also does YouTube videos.  There is no narrative on her HD videos, the way she films them you don't need narration.

Below is one of her recent video's on how she replaces a tired and worn out sponge bar.  Not sure I would leave the original nylon ribbon in but it seems to work for her.

And another of her great videos, this one on installing and using the Brother KRC1000.  I could not embed the video, just click on this link:

Brother KRC1000

What Have I been Up To...

Hi and hope you had great holiday's, Happy 2014!  All was quiet here in Las Vegas and luckily the weather has been fantastic.

Here are a few recent projects...

I whipped up this pullover simple cable sweater on request, used Tamm Bebe.

Then did matching fingerless mitts, used my own pattern for these Men's medium (kept it basic but could have done cable or other stitch pattern).  The thumb gore is knit "set in" style after the body of the mitt is made.  So easy!

This past weekend I made a few pair of socks, this pair is a bit "crazy" made in some Hobby Lobby "Walk Away" sock yarn I had in my stash (from a long ago sale).  Ribbing is 2x2 in a 2x1 needle arrangement.

This vest I made out of another stash coned yarn, an acrylic from  Caron (yes it's been in my stash a while) "Heirloom".

The vest was worn once and when washed it ended up with a pair of black jeans which bled all over the vest, staining it.  I tried everything I had in the house to get out the stains, no luck.  Then, I remembered I had purchased laundry "sheets" not that long ago that had remarkable claims on their efficiency.  I took the stained, damp vest and tossed it into a basin of cool water.  Threw in two of the laundry sheets and within 5 minutes the dye was gone!  Close call indeed...

I've lots of projects in mind for 2014 and more yarn just arrived (I really have too much).  With that in mind, I encourage all machine knitters to "just knit" - live outside the box a bit and don't worry if you make a mistake.  It's only knitting.  You can rewind the yarn and start over.  Don't fret if you end up with a row or two more/less (no one will know), don't worry if the carriage is on the wrong side, so what if you have one less stitch than you should at the end; it's only knitting and it really does not matter.

If you haven't the courage or expertise to knit something intricate, just do it.  When you are finished you will have the skills and a whole new level of courage.  Think of your family recipes that are a handful of this and a dash of that, why not do that in your knitting?  Being self taught, I've made my mistakes but I truly learned from those and they have made me a good knitter.

What matters is for you to enjoy your knitting and produce beautiful items that you and others will cherish.

Wishing you a peaceful new year!

Wil's Sweater

About a month or so ago, "Wil" emailed me this:

"I'm Wil, from St. Louis, MO. I happen to stumble upon your website when googling men's sweater patterns. As the subject line states, I am a beginner, I inherited a plastic bed singer knitting machine (9mm-90 needles) from a friend and am trying to teach myself how to machine knit."

I asked him to do a gauge swatch, he did.  I wrote a pattern for him based on his style and measurements and look at how he's doing, VERY good indeed!

Wil's First Machine Knit Sweater

I just suggested another project to him, I hope he'll do it!

Ear Muffs, Norwegian Style

Late last evening, I was surfing through some of my favorite knitting machine blogs.  I went over to Rett Og Vrang a great blog with ingenious designs by Synnove who lives lives in Norway.

We have been in touch over the years and it is always nice to see what she is up to.  Her latest is "Choices of Life" an ear muff design.  It sort of reminded me of the ear flap hats I made a  couple of years ago.  Always wanting to support my fellow machine knitters, I purchased the pattern (an instant download & only a few dollars).  When I opened the pattern is was all in Norwegian, of course it would be.  So, no worries I will translate it online.  It was actually funny what translator did to the pattern.  I emailed Synnove and she too had a good laugh.

Knowing I could replicate it I sat down this afternoon and made the below (nice model huh?) using my own method.  Pretty close to Synnove's don't you think?

Please stop by and visit Synnove and her great blog, she is very talented and a nice lady!

Here is her blog and posting (and pattern) I am referring to:

Rett Og Vrang

Blue Sweater Vest Completed

Yes, I do love sweater vests.  They are perfect in the cooler months here in Las Vegas.  A sweater vest is enough to keep you warm early in the morning but not too warm to wear when the sun warms it up!

This was done using the Knit Leader, I used Tamm Trenzi with an unknown cone of light blue acrylic for the edge trim.  Edge trim (light blue) was only the three circular cast on rows.  It didn't take long at all, I timed myself (I've been asked how long it takes), it was a little more than two hours on the machine then the seaming.

The color is a bit light in the first picture.

Neck Overlap Band - I Like Them As They Are Not Common

Arm Hole

Back Of Neck & Waist Band, Both Knit in 2X2 rib, Using A 2x1 Needle Arrangement

Lynne's Lace Scarf Pattern

Lynne, author of the blog "Machine Knitting Fun" (who I follow), sent me the below link to a lace pattern scarf she had made.

Click on this link:

Lynne's Favorite Pattern Of 2010

Here is a picture of the design:

Lynne stated she did not design the pattern but, had posted it for all to use and love.

Great and easy technique especially for those without a lace carriage.

Go ahead and click the link above to see the pattern, some photos and surf through her great and energetic blog.

Thanks for sharing Lynne!

Leaves Begin To Fall, Answering Winter's Call; Mikey Get's A New Sweater!

Yes, it's Autumn in Las Vegas but, it gets cold at night in December, January & February; usually around 38 to 40 degrees.

So, all other projects on hold and made a new sweater for my best friend, Mikey.  Mikey is a Tibetan Terrier/Sheltie mix and he outgrew the other sweaters I made for him.  I wanted him to pose for a picture but tonight he just wanted to play ball.

The fit is perfect in every way.  Done with some leftover Star 4-ply acrylic using Stitchworld pattern #'s 475 & 532 (rib).  This is knit from the back up with the legs done by rehanging the leg openings.

Mikey's New Sweater

Now, if I can get him to pose I'll add a picture.

Tamm Spirit - Sweater Vest

Finished this and thought of posting a few pictures.  Every picture the blue (denim) is a bit different.  This was the yarn CLICK

Knit with the Knit Leader and GC, it fits perfectly.  The last picture is something my grandparents would have done.  My Grandfather was a tailor to the Hollywood Stars, my Grandmother owned her own dress manufacturing company.  Both always told me, clean finished seams are important; how true!

 Side View Neckline

Arm Bands

Full Neckline

Inside Out - Finishing

Eliminating Heel Holes In Double Bed Machine Knit Socks

I have been emailing a friend my instructions for double bed machine knit socks.  Well, you know how it goes, back and forth emails and I probably just confused her more (when I explained my techniques).  My goal here is to not stretch or over extend the end stitches you are transferring to both beds.

Being such a wonderful lady I promised her I would sit down, knit a sock and take pictures of my technique for eliminating the heel hole often a result of the double bed & short rows.  Thought I would share with all of you as well.

There are quite a few photos, my explanations under each.  Click the email button on the top right of the blog if you have any questions, I would be happy to help!

Ankle Done, Time To Start The Heel

Open Beds, Allow End RB Needles To Pull Up

Attach & Thread Up MB Sinker Plate (mine is on the left)

Set Machine To Hold & Begin Short Rows Until All
Decreases Are Done

Short Row Increase Manually Wrapping Each Needle

Last Two Needles In Hold (carriage on left)

Wrap Left Needle & Knit To Right

Pull The End Left Needle Out To Hold Again, Wrap Right End Needle,
Knit to Left

Now You Have This

Picking Up The Inside Of Loop On Previous Row 

Turn Stitch & Place On Left Most Ribber Needle

Manually Knit The Left Most Main Bed Needle It Will Look Like This,
Repeat On Right Side

Ribber Bed Right Most Stitch, Pick Up Purl Bump, Slide Onto Transfer Tool, Hang Transfer Tool On Main Bed, Repeat On Left Side

It Will Look Like This

Close Beds, Transfer Rib Bed Stitches To End Main Bed Needles;
Continue Knitting Sock

Completed, No Holes

I have no idea what brand of sock yarn this is (I had it marked wool/nylon), I do notice the yarn fuzz that accumulated on the ribber from just this pair of socks.

Brother Transfer Carriage

Today I had lunch with two very nice machine knitters who I met as a result of MKM and this blog.

It was a quick 2 hours and didn't even touch on all the things we wanted to.  To have fellow machine knitters here in Las Vegas who actually got together was amazing!

They are planning on making high end sweaters out of the most gorgeous yarns.  The thought of transferring all those ribbed stitches manually made me immediately think "transfer carriage."

They have not used one in a long while and not with good luck when they did; I thought to offer my little bit of advice.  The easiest fixes for a transfer carriage to operate as it should are:

• Take all the weights off; leave ribber comb on
• Slide your pitch button to H
• Manually transfer at least two sts to MB on each end
• Double check all needles on MB are in B position
• Double check the diagram on the transfer carriage and follow it from top down (for the RB needle set up you are transferring)
• Don't press down on the carriage and slowly move from right to left

Brother Transfer Carriage

Have one of these?  Take it out and give it a try, you'll be so glad you did!