2012

SK155

Hi
Just got an SK155 and can’t find anything relating to the (R) on the tension dial. I’m probably missing something obvious. Also does anyone have any tips for a good tension for handknitting double knitting wool. How low can I go on the dial and is 0 no tension the lowest you can go? Glad I found this site as there’s not a lot for machine knitters out there now.

Hi Jax

I did a search on google for sk155 user manual and found a manual to download.

The R is for when the ribber is attached if you have one. The 0 is the tightest tension unless you can move the dial a couple of clicks beyond it.

As this is a chunky machine try tension 3 or 4 for DK yarn. Remove your sample from the machine and tug it lengthways to close the stitches. If you think it is too loose tighten the tension a little (lower number on dial). If you experiment with tensions you will find out what is suitable. When the tension is too tight there will probably be missed stitches and the knitting will be very stiff.

All machines vary slightly from one another so it is best if you keep a personal record of yarns and suitable tensions. You will soon get to know what tension to try for a particular yarn and make slight adjustments as necessary.

I hope this helps to answer your query.
Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-10-20 18:00:21
Thank you Sue for your help. Apparently you can no longer get a ribber for the SK155 but I don’t mind I will quite enjoy knitting the ribs by hand.
Slow process getting comfortable with my new machine not helped by lack of patterns out there. I would love to do more baby things with double knitting so will keep experimenting and keep a log as suggested.
jax
2012-11-05 10:03:04
Hi again

Do you buy Machine Knitting Monthly?

Every month Anne publishes baby patterns using DK or Chunky yarn – I’m sure you would find them useful. Don’t worry if the pattern does not specifically mention your machine; if it’s for DK you can use the tension which suits your machine and use the measurements from your tension swatch to work out how many stitches and rows you need for the size you want to knit as given on the pattern diagrams. If your figures come out close to one of the sets of instructions in the pattern you can follow these to knit the garment.

Enjoy your knitting.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-11-05 13:10:37
Hi Jax

I did a search on google for sk155 user manual and found a manual to download.

The R is for when the ribber is attached if you have one. The 0 is the tightest tension unless you can move the dial a couple of clicks beyond it.

As this is a chunky machine try tension 3 or 4 for DK yarn. Remove your sample from the machine and tug it lengthways to close the stitches. If you think it is too loose tighten the tension a little (lower number on dial). If you experiment with tensions you will find out what is suitable. When the tension is too tight there will probably be missed stitches and the knitting will be very stiff.

All machines vary slightly from one another so it is best if you keep a personal record of yarns and suitable tensions. You will soon get to know what tension to try for a particular yarn and make slight adjustments as necessary.

I hope this helps to answer your query.
Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-10-20 18:00:21
Thank you Sue for your help. Apparently you can no longer get a ribber for the SK155 but I don’t mind I will quite enjoy knitting the ribs by hand.
Slow process getting comfortable with my new machine not helped by lack of patterns out there. I would love to do more baby things with double knitting so will keep experimenting and keep a log as suggested.
jax
2012-11-05 10:03:04
Hi again

Do you buy Machine Knitting Monthly?

Every month Anne publishes baby patterns using DK or Chunky yarn – I’m sure you would find them useful. Don’t worry if the pattern does not specifically mention your machine; if it’s for DK you can use the tension which suits your machine and use the measurements from your tension swatch to work out how many stitches and rows you need for the size you want to knit as given on the pattern diagrams. If your figures come out close to one of the sets of instructions in the pattern you can follow these to knit the garment.

Enjoy your knitting.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-11-05 13:10:37

Chunky ribber needle problem

When moving needles into position to cast on, they slip down to the base of the ribber bed. Is there something I must tighten to keep the needles in place in the needle bed?

Hi Yolande

It sounds as though your sponge bar needs replacing. Use the latch tool to push it out of the needle bed and pull it right out. Check the condition of the foam it should be well above the metal of the bar and spring back into shape when pressed. If it is squashed or degraded you will either need to replace the foam or the whole bar. There is a company which makes suitable replacement foam for various machines and they advertise on ebay. Alternatively check Trading Post on this website.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-10-09 19:20:58
Hi Yolande

It sounds as though your sponge bar needs replacing. Use the latch tool to push it out of the needle bed and pull it right out. Check the condition of the foam it should be well above the metal of the bar and spring back into shape when pressed. If it is squashed or degraded you will either need to replace the foam or the whole bar. There is a company which makes suitable replacement foam for various machines and they advertise on ebay. Alternatively check Trading Post on this website.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-10-09 19:20:58

Brother KH811

Only a few needles are catching the yarn on the cast on row, I’ve tried varying the yarn tension. The needles look okay and I’ve cleaned and oiled the machine. The sponge of the sponge bar looks in bad condition so I didn’t contiue to remove it. Could this be the problem? If so what can I do about it? If not, any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi Pam

Sorry to hear you are having problems. The state of the sponge bar does affect the machine’s ability to knit properly.

The foam probably needs replacing. Brother sponge bars seem to be difficult to source but try Trading Post on the web page or look on ebay. There is a company making replacement foam strips for various sponge bars. They make foam to the same specifications as the original.

If the yarn continues to get caught on the gate pegs try tightening the tension slightly on the upper tension unit and don’t take the carriage too far past the knitting – just far enough to hear a click.

Hope this helps and you are soon knitting again.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-10-09 19:30:52
Hi Pam

Sorry to hear you are having problems. The state of the sponge bar does affect the machine’s ability to knit properly.

The foam probably needs replacing. Brother sponge bars seem to be difficult to source but try Trading Post on the web page or look on ebay. There is a company making replacement foam strips for various sponge bars. They make foam to the same specifications as the original.

If the yarn continues to get caught on the gate pegs try tightening the tension slightly on the upper tension unit and don’t take the carriage too far past the knitting – just far enough to hear a click.

Hope this helps and you are soon knitting again.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-10-09 19:30:52

Carriage on main bed hard to push

I’ve just got my machine out of the loft after 20 years. I’ve replaced the sponge bar but I’m having problems with one of the wheels. The main carriage is very stiff to push and the wheel is not spinning as well as the other. I’ve oiled it but it’s still hard to push along the needlebed. Can you help? Many thanks, Lynda

Hi Lynda

Welcome back to machine knitting.

There may be some fibres caught under the wheel. Try removing it and clearing away any fluff oil it lightly and replace it.

Make sure you seat the carriage correctly on the needle bed and that the fabric presser is positioned properly on the carriage.

Hope this helps.
Regards
Sue

Sue P
2012-10-09 19:11:51
Hi Lynda

Welcome back to machine knitting.

There may be some fibres caught under the wheel. Try removing it and clearing away any fluff oil it lightly and replace it.

Make sure you seat the carriage correctly on the needle bed and that the fabric presser is positioned properly on the carriage.

Hope this helps.
Regards
Sue

Sue P
2012-10-09 19:11:51

All the latest looks

From talking to you I know that those returning to the craft or who haven’t knitted for a while often need help, but where do you turn? Electronic machines are lovely and many knitters would like to try one or look at up-to-date accessories without the pressure of having to buy, so I decided to organise a get-together.

My idea was to invite machine knitters, who would like help and guidance, to an event – but outside of a ‘selling’ environment. As I don’t have suitable premises, I chatted with Carol Hocknell at Metropolitan to see if we could host a joint venture at her shop. It’s in a convenient location in the centre of the country and hosts a number of workshops throughout the year as well as Dream Week. The good news is that our first At Home will take place on 7th October. Opening on the Sunday exclusively for this special event, we’ll bring together some well-known names and enjoy a relaxed camaraderie.

Full details are on page 00 and you’ll notice that numbers will be strictly limited. This is to allow sufficient time and space to chat personally to everyone and enjoy individual demonstrations or join in a small group. Entry is therefore by pre-booking only and you won’t be able to buy a ticket at the door. It’s not a knitting exhibition and the shop will only be open for knitters taking part in our At Home. Metropolitan is one of the largest machine knitting shops in the country, so we’ll have all the machines, accessories and yarn at our disposal. If you wish, you can knit yourself to get the feel of a machine or accessory you’ve not used for a while.

I’ve listened to many of you who are unhappy to be excluded from many machine knitting events because you’ve other commitments on Saturday, so I’ve chosen a Sunday for our first At Home. We’ll welcome you with tea or coffee and biscuits then prepare lunch whilst you’re browsing and chatting, looking and learning. At the end of the day, we’ll all enjoy a cream tea before setting off home. Weeks of preparation still lie ahead, but Carol and I are sure we can give you a very special day out, which you’ll always remember. If you only dream of using your machine and accessories to their full capability, then make a date to unlock your potential and please join us on 7th October.

NEXT ISSUE
October 2012
Subscription copies sent out
Thursday 6th September
On sale
Thursday 13th September
Ask your newsagent to
Reserve a copy : see page 61

Is it possible to download copies of your magazines online rather than order physical copies?
heatherhaze
2012-07-23 16:43:49
Hi Heather

Thanks for writing and we don’t have an electronic version of the magazine. However it can now be found on EBSCOhost databases.

Best wishes Anne

Anne
2012-07-23 16:46:45
Hi Anne
I recently bought a Passap Duomatic 80 knitting machine and have been having terrible trouble getting it to knit. It will do the first row but then the needles jam on the return or it doesn’t knit properly. Yes I have used the rack correctly so any advice would be appreciated to save my sanity.
Kind regards Lynn
Lynn53
2012-10-20 14:37:05
Hi Lynn

Sorry to hear you are experiencing problems. Are you trying a full needle rib racking cast on?

When starting with a racking cast on don’t set the stitch size too low. The following is a guide for the stitch sizes I use for three thicknesses of yarn often used on the Duomatic:-

4 ply coned yarn: s.s 4/4
3 ply coned yarn: s.s 3.2/3.2
2.30’s coned yarn: s.s 2.3/2.3

When using 2/30’s or similar fine yarn tighten the tension unit on the yarn mast.

If you use hand knitting yarns; which is not recommended; you will probably have to use a bigger stitch size as they have a tighter twist.

Use Orange Strippers and make sure you rack a complete turn after the initial row so that the needles are not opposite one another.
Make sure the locks are set to N/N and leave the stitch size as it is.
Watch the end needles to make sure they knit properly or the stitches may bunch up at the ends of the knitting and cause a jam. After a few rows this should not be a problem.

Hope this helps solve your problem.

Kind regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-09-03 14:15:09

All the latest looks

From talking to you I know that those returning to the craft or who haven’t knitted for a while often need help, but where do you turn? Electronic machines are lovely and many knitters would like to try one or look at up-to-date accessories without the pressure of having to buy, so I decided to organise a get-together.

My idea was to invite machine knitters, who would like help and guidance, to an event – but outside of a ‘selling’ environment. As I don’t have suitable premises, I chatted with Carol Hocknell at Metropolitan to see if we could host a joint venture at her shop. It’s in a convenient location in the centre of the country and hosts a number of workshops throughout the year as well as Dream Week. The good news is that our first At Home will take place on 7th October. Opening on the Sunday exclusively for this special event, we’ll bring together some well-known names and enjoy a relaxed camaraderie.

Full details are on page 00 and you’ll notice that numbers will be strictly limited. This is to allow sufficient time and space to chat personally to everyone and enjoy individual demonstrations or join in a small group. Entry is therefore by pre-booking only and you won’t be able to buy a ticket at the door. It’s not a knitting exhibition and the shop will only be open for knitters taking part in our At Home. Metropolitan is one of the largest machine knitting shops in the country, so we’ll have all the machines, accessories and yarn at our disposal. If you wish, you can knit yourself to get the feel of a machine or accessory you’ve not used for a while.

I’ve listened to many of you who are unhappy to be excluded from many machine knitting events because you’ve other commitments on Saturday, so I’ve chosen a Sunday for our first At Home. We’ll welcome you with tea or coffee and biscuits then prepare lunch whilst you’re browsing and chatting, looking and learning. At the end of the day, we’ll all enjoy a cream tea before setting off home. Weeks of preparation still lie ahead, but Carol and I are sure we can give you a very special day out, which you’ll always remember. If you only dream of using your machine and accessories to their full capability, then make a date to unlock your potential and please join us on 7th October.

NEXT ISSUE
October 2012
Subscription copies sent out
Thursday 6th September
On sale
Thursday 13th September
Ask your newsagent to
Reserve a copy : see page 61

Is it possible to download copies of your magazines online rather than order physical copies?
heatherhaze
2012-07-23 16:43:49
Hi Heather

Thanks for writing and we don’t have an electronic version of the magazine. However it can now be found on EBSCOhost databases.

Best wishes Anne

Anne
2012-07-23 16:46:45
Hi Anne
I recently bought a Passap Duomatic 80 knitting machine and have been having terrible trouble getting it to knit. It will do the first row but then the needles jam on the return or it doesn’t knit properly. Yes I have used the rack correctly so any advice would be appreciated to save my sanity.
Kind regards Lynn
Lynn53
2012-10-20 14:37:05
Hi Lynn

Sorry to hear you are experiencing problems. Are you trying a full needle rib racking cast on?

When starting with a racking cast on don’t set the stitch size too low. The following is a guide for the stitch sizes I use for three thicknesses of yarn often used on the Duomatic:-

4 ply coned yarn: s.s 4/4
3 ply coned yarn: s.s 3.2/3.2
2.30’s coned yarn: s.s 2.3/2.3

When using 2/30’s or similar fine yarn tighten the tension unit on the yarn mast.

If you use hand knitting yarns; which is not recommended; you will probably have to use a bigger stitch size as they have a tighter twist.

Use Orange Strippers and make sure you rack a complete turn after the initial row so that the needles are not opposite one another.
Make sure the locks are set to N/N and leave the stitch size as it is.
Watch the end needles to make sure they knit properly or the stitches may bunch up at the ends of the knitting and cause a jam. After a few rows this should not be a problem.

Hope this helps solve your problem.

Kind regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-09-03 14:15:09

Where do I start?

Hi
I live in North Devon and have always wanted a knitting machine because I’ve always loved hand knitting. Where do I start to find a machine that I would be able to understand how to use when the only tuition I can see appears to be in the North.
Thanks for any help.

Hi Peter

Is there a machine knitting group near you? Check the Guild of Machine Knitters website.

You will find that all knitting machines come with a manual which explains the basics: what the tools are called and what they are used for casting on and off increasing and decreasing buttonholes etc. Some machines are very basic and do not have automatic patterning others use punchcards and there is also quite a range of electronic machines.

If you buy a used machine make sure it has the manual with it. You can also use the manual to check that the machine is complete and has all the tools that it came with when new.

Silver are the only machines still being manufactured; they advertise in MKM. The website “Scan the Cat” has lots of information on Brother machines and “The Knitting Machine Museum” has useful information on all the different makes of machines. A search for “machine knitting” on the Internet will produce lots of useful information and there are quite a few demonstration clips on u-tube.

Metropolitan Machine Knitting have comprehensive correspondence courses both for single bed Japanese machines – Brother Silver/Knitmaster and Toyota and for these machines with a ribber attachment – and Passap/Pfaff. They also have separate courses for Silver electronic and Brother electronic.

Check the adverts in MKM for places that sell used machines; I’m sure they would be happy to give you advice if you contact them.

I hope you find what you are looking for and enjoy learning how to use it.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-08-21 11:14:42
Another great source is utube Diana Sulivan has some excellent tutorials.
Karen Freeborn
2012-09-11 19:19:54
Hi Peter
If you decide to purchase a punchcard machine I can offer to help you use it. I have a Knitmaster 360 which is the same as the Silver Reed machines. I can also help you on a Brother machine and my phone number is 01237-431959. Hope this is a help to you.
Joy
dingdongdell
2013-10-02 08:48:56

No instructions

Hi
I’ve just got a Simpleframe but unfortunately there are no instructions. Can anyone help me to use it?
Thanks.

I have some instructions and a few patterns . Send me an email at
Lindawer@facebook.com and I’ll send you a list of what I have.

Linda

Lindawer
2012-10-20 14:41:05

Club

Hi
Does anyone know of a machine knitting club or meeting which takes place near Nottingham or Mansfield in the UK? I’m now retired and would like to join such a group.
Thanks.

Hi

Have you checked the list of clubs on this website?

Also the Guild of Machine Knitters website lists clubs and their contact details. They have details for Mapperley Ollerton and Worksop. Perhaps one of those would be close to you?

Kind regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-08-23 15:13:12

Silver Reed PC10 HELP

Hi
I’ve just bought a secondhand Silver Reed SK840 with the PC10 pattern controller, which myself and daughters have tried to get to work, but we’re having no luck recalling any of the 100 inbuilt patterns – or anything else. I think that maybe it’s a faulty unit, but with no manual to test this I don’t know for sure. Having spent the week online and phoning around I’m no nearer getting a solution to my dilemma. Can anyone out there please HELP!
Many thanks

Hi
I have one of these and Metropolitan supplied a laminated sheet with all the instructions on it. They are based in Nantwich Cheshire and are really helpful.
Alternatively if you email me at marydonovan@btinternet.com I will try to help.
Best wishes Mary
knitting nurse
2012-09-21 14:31:46