Knitting Socks On A Standard Machine - I Gotta Thing For Socks, Red Ones Too!

I have a sock mania.  Not just any old sock but squishy comfortable socks.  The below machine knit socks in a hand dyed wool/nylon blend are just that.

Warm, Red Squishy Machine Knit Socks

The only socks I wear at home are the ones that come off of my machine.  Haven't tried them yet?  They are so easy once you do it a few times; a pair can be off the machine in about 40 minutes (without rushing).

Now to graft the toes...

Yarn Weights

I just received an email form a new machine knitter asking about yarn weights and what is the best for her machine.

When I started machine knitting I had the same questions; do I use a 2 or a 3? Then with the fractions, example: 6/12 and etc. There is also the weights used in the U.K., example: 4-ply and use three ends, you get the idea. It can be a bit confusing.

Since I am here in the USA, here is a link to Angelika's website, she explains the US weights and also has the Yarn Council of America yarn weight symbols and what machine they work best on.

Angelika's Yarn Store

Christmas Wishes

May all your dreams come true...always.

From one machine knitter to another, Merry Christmas!

Tom

Machine Knitted Gun Mitten

After lots of charting and many "piles" of disasters for my attempts at making a Gun Mitten - SUCCESS!


If you know anything about me you'll know I avoid seams at any cost.  Not that I don't know how or that I can't do so (evenly and invisibly), I can.  Just not fond of back and forth seaming even though my belief is not to use a linker or sewing machine; cut and sew, no.  My feeling is knit, shape and seam with the yarn used on the project but, minimize seams if possible.


So, with that in mind I wanted a Gun Mitten without seams around the mitten and fingers.  This one is exactly that, only one seam in the cuff.

The entire Gun Mitten is made with a ribber and knit circular; actually pretty easy if you have done socks the double bed/circular method.


With a worsted weight yarn my gauge was 4 st to 1" and 6 rows to the 1" - My Brother bulky was set at T2.75 for the 1x1 ribbing and 4.75 for the Gun Mitten.  I kept the weight fairly light (1 large + 1 small ribber weight on a "7" ), although circular needs a lot of weight I am trying to avoid the stress on the needles and needle bed.


As this was a "special request" from someone (who does not hunt or shoot guns) the ribbing was extra long at 40 rows.  This would be ideal for a hunter, they actually feel great on!

Is Your Electronic Machine Protected?

I have not been able to blog the past two weeks due to a hideous cold/flu that got me. Feeling so much better now so, I am back.

Machine Knitting Monthly has my contact details listed in the "Knitting Buddies" column and I receive lots of email from knitters all over the world. It is amazing that so many machine knitters who own an electronic/computerized knitting machine do not have them plugged into a surge protector! It is an inexpensive item that can protect your valuable investment from power surges. I strongly suggest you plug into one. Another good idea is to simply unplug your machine when not in use.

Hoping by the end of the day to post my pattern and photos of a Gun Mitten I have designed for machine knitters, this is a quick and very nice gift idea for the guy(s) in your life.

Ella's place: Fular Tubular "Santa's Chimney" :D

Ella's place: Fular Tubular "Santa's Chimney" :D