In PKMJ 39 Alice reviewed ‘KnitPad’, a Windows program written by Doug Webb, which contains all the Passap stitch patterns for both the E6000 and the Deco. The Deco patterns are stored in a section of the program called KnitPick which opens in KnitPad. Although the 3 and 4 colour patterns are in a format which the E6000 can read, it would not be too difficult to re-configure them as a punchcard. I have been looking for templates for the Deco patterns numbered from 21-100 for quite a while, without success, so when I saw this information I thought I’d see if it was still available. The original Website is no longer accessable but a search on Google for ‘doug webb knitpad’ took me to: www.janthevillageweaver.com from where I was able to download the KnitPad program. Not only does this program have all the Passap stitch patterns stored in grid form with the facility to print copies but there is also a section where one can design one’s own stitch patterns and save them. The grid provided has a total size of 179 stitches by 200 rows but for designing 40 stitch punchcards you can place a marker on the 40th column and work within that boundary. I can see this simple program being most useful and thought I would share this information as I’m sure other readers will find it useful too.
Regards
Sue Pritchard
Matt
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Lindawer@facebook.com and I’ll send you a list of what I have.
Linda
Lindawer
2012-10-20 14:41:05
Looking for an Instruction Manual
I am a crochet and knitaholic and teach at a number of neighbourhood houses around my local area. Unfortunately I’ve developed deQuervains syndrome in both hands and after surgery have found it increasingly difficult to hand knit. So one of my lovely daughters (No 3 of 5) bought me a knitting machine, so I am starting on my machine knitting adventure. I’m new to machine knitting having just acquired a Singer Cardmatic 312 and unfortunately it came without any manuals. Hours on the net have led me to the conclusion that Singer and Silver may be interchangeable. I found a Manual for the Silver K105 and the machine and parts look identical. Can anyone give me an answer? Many thanks from Australia.
Hi
If you go to: http://www.aboutknittingmachines.com/SilverReedManuals.php you will find at the bottom of the page a downloadable manual for the Singer Cardmatic 313.
These machines are the same as Knitmaster/Silver Reed machines and have the same patterning mechanism.
I hope you find this useful and you soon are able to get knitting.
Kind regards
Sue.
Sue P
2012-07-18 10:56:48
Many thanks for you help but the machine that I have is a electronic and has a PC10 controller. I have been given a copy from a nice lady who runs courses on knitting at http://metropolitanmachineknitting.co.uk/
She’s been so helpful I dashed home with my copy and tried them out – it’s so simple when you have instructions.
She’s been so helpful I dashed home with my copy and tried them out – it’s so simple when you have instructions.
Kind regards
Astrid
Astrids63
2012-07-23 16:43:49
Hi Astrid
I’m so pleased to hear you found the right manual.
Regards
Sue.
Sue P
2012-07-23 16:50:45
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Toyota 901 needles
Hi
I have a Toyota 901 and have discovered that you can no longer get needles
for this machine. Is there another type of needle that I can use instead?
Thanks, Rachel
Hi Rachel
It’s worth checking the listings on ebay as needles are sometimes advertised.
I don’t know if it’s possible to use other needles – each make and model seem to have their own.
Regards
Sue
Sue P
2012-05-02 16:00:27
Hi Rachel
There are some needles on ebay now.
Sue.
There are some needles on ebay now.
Sue.
Sue P
2012-05-13 19:52:52
Hi Sue
Thank you. You have been very helpful.
Rachel
Thank you. You have been very helpful.
Rachel
Rachel O
2012-05-22 12:26:04
New to machine knitting
I’m on the cusp of buying a knitting machine, I’m probably going to get the Silver Reed SK280. I have never even seen a knitting machine in real life before, so it’s a leap into the unknown for me. I hand knit a lot and I’m at the stage where I want to focus more on designing than spending hours knitting up stockinette in garments. Don’t get me wrong, I know hand knitting is a different craft from machine knitting and I’ll always have some project or other on my needles, but I want to venture into machine knitting. I came across your magazine recently and I wanted to pluck up the courage to say hi and introduce myself. It’s frustrating not being able to read the patterns in your magazine yet, the abbreviations are so different from hand knitting, but I know I’ll learn as I go along. It’s nice to meet you! I hope to meet some new and interesting people along my journey into machine knitting!
Best wishes, Valerie
Hi Valerie
Welcome to Machine Knitting and here are a few suggestions to help you on your way.
Welcome to Machine Knitting and here are a few suggestions to help you on your way.
Once you get your machine read the manual carefully and learn what all the bits and pieces are. You may have to go through everything several times before you feel happy. Practice using the tools without any knitting on the machine.
Buy yourself a cone of good quality 4-ply; cones are specially made to run smoothly through the machine and the yarn has a different twist than hand knitting yarn. I have tried winding balls of hand knitting yarn to use on my machine and it isn’t very successful. So to avoid aggravation it’s best to start off with a cone of yarn in a colour you like.
Now work your way through the manual. It will show you how to thread the yarn cast on and knit and cast off. It will also explain how to get the correct tension to produce a neat piece of knitting.
The important thing is to get to know your machine and build up your confidence so start with the basics and gradually progress on to the more difficult techniques.
Hope this has given you a few pointers – be warned – machine knitting is addictive!
Regards Sue
Sue P
2012-07-04 17:55:52
Hi
I have two machines – a Silver Reed 860 and the 280 which I enjoy using as I previously started with basics and worked my way up. I’m on holiday at the moment and machine knitting is so addictive that I can’t wait to get back to the machines. I love MKM and wait for it to drop through the letterbox. Sometimes I wonder how I have time to go to work!
Bye Rosie
I have two machines – a Silver Reed 860 and the 280 which I enjoy using as I previously started with basics and worked my way up. I’m on holiday at the moment and machine knitting is so addictive that I can’t wait to get back to the machines. I love MKM and wait for it to drop through the letterbox. Sometimes I wonder how I have time to go to work!
Bye Rosie
rosiewright
2012-07-04 17:56:19
Hi Valerie
I had three knitting machines in the 80s and early 90s and I sold two and kept one in the loft until three months ago! I feel like a beginner again but you will find lots of help on-line. There are some tutorials on YouTube which are really helpful. Good luck and happy knitting. Karen
I had three knitting machines in the 80s and early 90s and I sold two and kept one in the loft until three months ago! I feel like a beginner again but you will find lots of help on-line. There are some tutorials on YouTube which are really helpful. Good luck and happy knitting. Karen
kazbill
2012-07-04 17:57:39
Tension Rod
Hi
I have to pull the yarn tight at the back of the tension rod every time I knit a row otherwise I end up with the yarn looping at the edges. I have checked the guide pin and plates and cannot see anything wrong with them. I have checked and double checked that the yarn is threaded correctly. Does anyone have any ideas?
Many thanks
Hi Fran
Sorry to hear you are having problems it’s frustrating to have to keep pulling down on the yarn but sometimes it is the only solution.
Is your tension suitable for the yarn you are using? I take it that you have tried tightening the disc tension. Make sure the yarn is on the inside of the pin between the discs.
Have you checked behind the plates in the tension discs? Fibres can build up behind them and cause problems.
Are you using a very fine yarn? Sometimes it helps to loop it right round the tension disc instead of just between the discs.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Sue.
Sue P
2012-03-09 17:24:34
Hi
I used to teach machine knitting at college. One of the ways of getting rid of looped yarn was to tape a plastic piece of tubing to the table under the yarn tension unit. Thread the yarn through the plastic piping and then through the yarn tension unit – and voila!
I used to teach machine knitting at college. One of the ways of getting rid of looped yarn was to tape a plastic piece of tubing to the table under the yarn tension unit. Thread the yarn through the plastic piping and then through the yarn tension unit – and voila!
Another golden oldie was to use a tiered vegetable rack. Place the first cone on the bottom rack the second cone on the next rack up and so on. Thread the yarn through the centre of the cone above before threading through the yarn tension unit. This is great for multi-coloured cones and gives a better random appearance as it ‘twists’ the yarn as it feeds through the unit. I know that you’ve sorted your problem but it might be of some use to other members.
Vincentwood
2012-03-28 17:47:23
Hi Sue – thank you for your comments. Hubby got his screwdriver out and cleared out all the fluff that had gathered behind the spring – I was rather surprised how much there was as I have barely used the machine. Anyhow after trying again I noticed that it was not the tension rod but the ribber arm which ‘looped’ the yarn just before taking the carriage across. Fortunately I have two standard gauge ribbers and swapped the ribber arm – perfect! I think the other ribber arm may need some new brushes!!!Thank you for your comments though because I will make sure the tension spring is cleaned on a regular basis now. Best wishes – Fran
Fran
2012-03-16 16:23:33
Knitmaster 700K radar stitch cards
I recently bought a Knitmaster 700K with a built in Knit Radar but the stitch scales that came with the machine are the wrong ones and should be H4-H14 approximately 13½ inches long according to the manual. I have tried all the companies and eBay without success and without the scales I can’t use the Knit Radar. Does anyone have a set please?
Have you tried Metropolitan they stock most things.
ghowes
2012-08-02 17:05:29
Have you tried Metropolitan they stock most things.
ghowes
2012-08-02 17:05:29
Jane
Hi
I’m looking for needle retaining bars for the Knitmaster 360 and the Knitmaster ribber SRP-50, also needles for both. I live in Gravesend, Kent.
Hello Auntie Jane
Check out Trading Post on this website. Silver Reed/Knitmaster accessories are available.
Regards
Sue.
Sue P
2012-02-28 18:45:28
Hello Auntie Jane
Check out Trading Post on this website. Silver Reed/Knitmaster accessories are available.
Regards
Sue.
Sue P
2012-02-28 18:45:28
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.