Using a knitting machine needs some preparation. You can not start knitting instantly as you do in hand knitting. You may be more comfortable in handling your knitting needle and yarn. A knitting machine is just a different way to manipulate the yarn, not necessarily the best method.
It is really a benefit when you are making a bunch of projects, hats for charity, Etsy store, or for gifting someone.
Here I have described how you can set up a knitting machine and start knitting.
Screw the Legs
On the bottom of an automated loom knitting machine, there are its legs. The legs are the only thing that you have to assemble to get started. This is self-explanatory. There is a center hole on the bottom. You have to screw the legs into place and your machine will be then ready to go. Work on a table that is flat.
Mount the Machine on the Table with Clamps
Now you have to mount this on the table. You will get two clamps with this product. You will also get another little box which is stoppers. The stoppers allow you to go back and forth on the panels. If you want a certain size, you just need to put a stopper down on the top of the machine.
Put the Lever down
Now it is ready to go. You can work either in the round or back and forth. Here I’m showing you knitting in the round.
Now you will find a red switch for selecting plain knitting or circular knitting. If the little red switch is up the machine will do plain knitting, which is knitting a panel knitted back and forth. And if you want to do circular knitting, put the lever down. Then turn the crank/handle once.
Shut the Little Door
When you are casting on, the little door that holds the yarn in place should be closed. If it is open, your knitting needles will start hitting it, which can damage both your needles and this little door. Before turning the handle, make sure that the door is not open.
Cast on
You can choose a worsted weight yarn for this machine. Grab your yarn. Start by leaving a portion in the middle that will later be long enough to finish the project.
Start with the first black needle. There are two more black needles. The other two black needles should be on your left-hand side. The black ones indicate the beginning and the stopping point.
Take your yarn and loop it in front of that black needle. Then start turning the crank slightly. Then go behind the next one, then in front of the one after that. The yarn put in the center should be left hanging there as you go behind and in front of that black needle. Thus, you will alter back and forth. Another thing you should check is that these catch the little hooks.
Continue this process and keep turning the handle slowly to avoid any mistakes in this process. There is no need to rush. Do it slowly. This part is a kind of foundation for the entire project. So, take your time.
From here start turning the crank. And you will feel comfortable doing the process pretty slow. As you get going, you can speed up later. You have to literally just cranking it out. So, continue the process until you meet the black needles.
You can put the yarn on the floor and pull it out of the middle. Don’t pull this too tight or too loose. When you reach the black needle again, your yarn should be in front of the needle. If it is not, you should check whether you have made an error somewhere or not, either went in the back twice or went in the front twice. If there is any repeat, take your finger and do it manually.
When you are back to the black one, Go around the last white one. Then put the yarn through the threader (little gate). Push to open the little gate. Now you have to put the yarn in it and pull it down through the little pull. You can either go halfway or through the entire thread. It depends on the yarn you are using.
Then close the little door. Now you are going to start turning your handle away from you. The yarn can be a little bit tight or a little bit sticky as it goes along. Once you have your first row done, it goes very smoothly. Now all your job is to turn the handle and turn it away from you.
With your other hand hold the yarn, it will help you control it a little bit.
There is a little counter. And the counter keeps track of how many rounds you have done. Just hold it down for about two or three seconds and it will start.
Gradually you can develop a faster motion.
Changing Yarn Color
Pull the remaining yarn in the middle of the machine. Grab a new yarn and put some of it in there and put the remaining unto the little carriage. Make sure that the carriage is closed. This time you have to make sure that one needle is catching one yarn and the next needle is catching the new yarn.
Take the two yarn and tie a knot then let these hang down in the end.
Now, again use one hand to hold your yarn and use another to turn the crank continuously.
Binding off
Now you have to cast off or bind off. Take the end of your yarn. You will get a nice plastic needle with your machine. You can use it here.
You can also use your regular tapestry needle. Run the yarn through the needle. Now take off the stitches from the actual piece and start binding off. All you are doing is weaving the yarn in. You have to scoop from front to back. You have to do it all the way around. This will finish it off.
You can see that it is starting to come off. For a more finished edging, you can use waste yarn.
Take the Clamps off and Store the Machine
Now take the little plants off with which the machine is held in place.
Store it in a safe place if you do not need it now. When you will work again, you have to just mount the machine with the clamps once again and you’ll be ready to go.
Final Words
When you need big panels to make sweaters or anything like that, where lots of stockinette stitch is needed, you will notice the difference. That’s how you’ll finish holiday projects. Making big panels requires lots of stockinette stitching, which is challenging to do by hand knitting. We hope that this extended write-up will quench your queries and help you do well with the knitting machine.
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