What Is Machine Knitting? How Do I Get Started?
Machine Knitting has certainly begun to make a comeback in recent years. It offers the capabilities to knit a garment or accessory much faster than traditional hand knitting. This machine has great history and uses. Continue reading below to learn more about machine knitting and how to get started in the craft.
What is Machine Knitting?
Machine knitting utilizes a machine to knit garments and accessories. The machine part of machine knitting, called a knitting frame, has been around since 1589 when it was invented by William Lee. This machine was invented in England.
- The only thing you need to do is decide what you want to make
- The knitting mill remains securely in position while knitting
- It’s perfect for scarves, hats, leg warmers, skirts, cardigans, toys, home decor items
- It can also be used to knit flat panels
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- Sentro knitting machine with 48 needles for knitting, you can really knit what you want and have fun while developing your hand-eye coordination
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- Great for beginners with or without experience, you can easily knit your favorite items, such as hats, scarves, socks and present them to your parents and friends.
- Easy to use: Create flat or round needles in seconds with manual crank operation. Just screw the yarn into the spindle and turn the crank to knit.
- What you can get: crochet needle, 2 hand needles, thread stand, wool thread (4 bundles of wool, 2 large 2 small), instruction manual, screwdriver, accessory kit (4 suckers, 4 screws, 1 non-slip pad)
- 48 Needles knitting machine with row counter, and it has plain / tube weave conversion key, easy to convert by one button
- This knitting machine can use yarns below 5mm without causing jamming, so you have more choices to weave more styles
- Great Knitting Machine for kids to play, which will cultivate their interests, hand-eye coordination and manipulative ability,etc.
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- Package Include: 1 * knitting machine, 3 * Hand needle, 1 * Crochet, 1 * instruction manual, 1 * screwdriver, 4 * Yarn, 1 * Wire frame
- Easy to use: Create a flat or round stitch in seconds with hand crank operation. Just thread the yarn into the spindles and turn the crank to knit your very own masterpieces.
- Find a weaving fun knitting machine with 40 needles and is a very practical toy! You can really weave what you want!
- Made of high quality plastic, no smell and safe, solid and durable, long time service life. Adults can complete the gift with their children and experience the fun of weaving.
- Create a flat or round stitch in seconds with hand crank operation, Just thread the yarn into the spindles and turn the crank to knit your own cool fashion accessories like hats, scarves, gloves, socks, leg warmers and clothes!
- 100% Satisfaction: Any further question about it, please feel free to contact us.
- The addi-Express Professional features 22 needles
- Circular knitted items - Ø 10 to 15 cm (4" to 6")
- Plain knitted items - 15 to 20 cm (6" to 8") wide
- You can use nearly all kinds of yarns, recommended yarn thickness 3.5 - 8
- Designed and manufactured in Germany to exacting standards and using finest materials available
The knitting frame for machine knitting sparked the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. William Lee never received monetary gain for his invention, however. His patent was denied by Queen Elizabeth I in England, and King Henry IV died before granting a patent in France. A patent was granted by Oliver Cromwell after William Lee had already died.
Machine knitting and hand knitting are both crafts. Both require use of the hands, no matter whether you are simply using your hands or a machine. Machine knitting is quicker in the actual knitting phase, but it still requires extensive planning.
Machine knitting requires that you measure out the yarn needed and the pattern. It requires that you determine rows by utilizing math based on the pattern. Finally, it requires creativity as the machine will not automatically make the pattern for you.
Knitting machines only knit certain fabrics quickly. These are jersey and rib fabrics. Intarsia still requires manual dexterity throughout the knitting process. Some stitches require some manual dexterity as well, including the garter stitch.
Each knitting machine has a lock, or carriage, on its center that is threaded with the yarn required. The needles are spread throughout the machine in various slots. The machines do require knitters to cast on, bind off, increase and decrease.
Read: How Much Does It Cost To Knit A Sweater?
Each knitter is required to still pull yarn through created loops. The difference is that the machine will hold stitches that are added as the carriage passes. This is only for certain stitches, however, as others require manual dexterity.
There are certain techniques that must be learnt in order to create more complex knit pieces that utilize texture and various colors. Different needles are required for different textures. Needles are changed out by hand or be programming done on the machine, depending on how advanced of a machine is utilized.
Many individuals are becoming more exited and curious about machine knitting. This includes individuals who may have previously only hand knitted. It is important to learn more about this technique in order to best get started and have great results.
How Does Machine Knitting Work?
In hand knitting, it is known that you begin by casting on all stitches to begin the process of knitting between two needles. A machine works similarly in that casting on, the knitting process and binding off are all required. It is done a little differently, however.
There are many parts to the machine. Despite this, however, there are two primary parts. These parts are called the needle bed and the knit carriage.
Needle Bed
The needle bed holds up to two hundred needles at a time. It also has the capacity to hold the needles in four differing positions including the non-working, the working, the upper working and the hold positions. Each needle will appear like a latch hook.
Knit Carriage
The knit carriage, or otherwise called the lock as aforementioned, is either made from metal or plastic. It contains switches for various commands and a handle. It is also where yarn is threaded through.
There are various steps associated with knitting via a machine. All of the steps require utilization of the needle bed and the knit carriage. The steps are listed below.
Casting On
When casting on, each needle will have a stitch added onto it just as with one of the hand knitting needles. The knit carriage will run over each needle. This will allow yarn to go through the loops created through casting on for the process of knitting to begin.
Knit Stitching New Rows
When hand stitching, new rows are created by switching needles and going back and forth with purling. When going to the end of one row with a machine, you simple run the knit carriage the other way. The stitch will be repeated until you are satisfied or need to shape.
Finishing and Shaping
The longest part of machine knitting is the finishing. All shaping must be done by the knitter in manually changing or programming an increase or decrease in needles in the needle bed. Casting on will have to be repeated to make certain shapes with a specific number of needles in working position in the needle bed.
Binding Off
You can bind off your finished piece in many methods. You can either cast off with needle setting and the knit carriage or can scrap waste yarn. If you choose the latter option, stitches will not unravel or come undone.
It is important to note that knitting with a machine requires special tools. The tension mast holds threaded yarn before it enters the knit carriage to keep yarn tense whereas the gate post help needles to stay in place and thread correctly.
A row counter keeps track of the rows knitted so far so you can keep up with your pattern, and extension rails allow a place for the knit carriage to rest in between stitches. Finally, there are specialized tools such as claw weights, crochet hooks and tapestry needles for specialized projects.
What Do I Need to Get Started?
Machine knitting is an excellent option for those who have a more difficult time hand knitting or who are slower hand knitters. It is important to note, however, that machines do take time to learn and do take some manual dexterity as well. There are various choices to make when considering purchasing a machine and getting started.
Types and Brands
The two most popular types of machines are the Passap machine and the Japanese machine. The Passap brand is no longer in production, but the models are still able to be found online or through a private seller. Brother is a very popular brand that utilizes the Passap styling.
The primary brand for Japanese machines is the Silver-Reed. They have differences in switch placements and lever placements. Obtaining a brand new machine of either variety will be expensive, though you can often find used machines in good condition for fair pricing.
Gauge Style
Choosing the gauge style of your machine is another difficult but important choice to make. This refers to how far apart the needles are spaced as well as the size of the needles. There are machines with standard gauges that have 4.5mm needles and 200 in all, bulky gauge machines with 114 needles in all that are 9mm in size, fine gauge machines and mid-gauge machines.
Capabilities for Patterns
Machines for knitting have simple technologies for stitch patterns or offer far more advanced patterning abilities. There are machines in which the knitter manually creates the pattern and machines in which you can program the pattern you want with a punchcard. The latter type aligns the needles into the exact positions they need to be in order to accomplish the task and require far less labor.
How Can I Learn?
There are many methods in learning to machine knit. There are online courses and community events that can be attended. Some of these are free or inexpensive, while others do cost some money. Learning to machine knit can provide beautiful results, however, and it is important to remember that learning takes practice and patience.
Online Courses
There are many online courses that are available for viewing to assist you in learning to machine knit. These courses vary from offering the most advanced patterning needs to learning the basics. There are various websites such as Bluprint (formerly Craftsy) offering online courses.
Free Online Tutorials
There are also many tutorials that are available online for free to following along with when first beginning this craft. Most of these are free, and offer very specific ideas and instructions. You can find ten online videos and tutorials here.
Blogs
With a simple internet search, you are sure to find hundreds of blogs dedicated to this craft of knitting with a machine. These blogs may offer free downloads for patterns. Some may also have step by step instructions for specific patterns you are interested in or even on the basics of machine knitting.
Websites
There are also entire websites dedicated to the art of learning to machine knit. These websites combine online tutorials and blog posts to assist you in learning specific and basic techniques. One website is actually called Learn Machine Knitting.
Community Events
Finally, depending on your community, some community members who have experience in this craft may offer community classes for learning the craft. These community classes could also be in the form of knitting clubs that are dedicated to utilizing a machine. It is. always possible to learn from individuals who are more experienced in the craft.
What Types of Projects Can I Do with This?
Any pattern that is utilized for hand knitting can be utilized for knitting via a machine. Be sure to prepare your yarn to feed into the machine and have the right number of stitches programmed or stitched in the needle bed. Make sure you have all tools necessary as well such as a crochet hook if you are making a project that requires one.
Beginner Projects
When first starting out in this craft, it is important to try to focus on projects that will be easiest for you to complete and that will require the most basic stitch pattern. Some example projects could include things as simple as a dish cloth or a small baby blanket. You could basically create anything that is in a basic square or rectangle shape easily when beginning this craft.
Common Projects
Once you become a little bit more comfortable in utilizing the machine, you can move on to some slightly more complicated projects. These projects require a more complicated stitch pattern, but all of these projects are still relatively common. Some examples include socks, winter hats, scarves, skirts and large, afghan blankets.
Professional Projects
Finally, after you have been practicing knitting with a machine for quite some time, it is appropriate to move on to more advanced patterns and projects. These advanced patterns and projects may require more specific stitches and delicate shaping.
Examples include sweaters, pocket slippers, gloves and mittens, infinity scarves that are multiple colors, reversible winter hats, cowls and more complicated scarves with details such as fringing.
Final Thoughts
Utilizing a machine for knitting is truly making a comeback and offers a quicker and exciting method when wanting to try new methods of knitting. This machine is great for individuals who get frustrated with hand knitting or who take a long time to hand knit.
It does require a learning curve, but there are plenty of resources available to assist you in learning the ins and outs of knitting with a machine with hopes that one day you can make the most complicated of patterns.
