KL116 Knit Leader instructions

Chunky KH 260 Brother machine with Knit Leader KL116
Tension square knitted 20 stitches wide by 30 rows long. I used two strands of DK Shamal together on Tension 5.
Stitches using a centimetre ruler it measured 12 cm. (I tried using the blue ruler but it came out to silly numbers (17.5) and all the tension squares I knitted came out wrong so I used a CM ruler.) Read 12 on the CM ruler so I read off 12 on the tube and put the card into the machine for the stitches = (Card 12) 126 – 128.
Rows Measured with the blue ruler it came to 23 so as I was told that on a chunky machine you have to halve that number I put 11.5 into the machine. I was also told that both trippers have to be down so that it trips the sheet twice on each row and to leave the feeding lever plugged into the left hand side NOT to move the feeding lever to the right hand side and lift one tripper as this wouldn’t work properly? I drew a six inch square onto the Knit Leader and knitted it up – the stitches came out correct but I cannot get the rows right. Can someone please write down what to do from START ( tension square) to FINISH knitting a 6 inch square on the Knit Leader – step by step – as I’m getting so disheartened. I love this machine and am so desperate to get going. I have knitted a jumper from a magazine but I want to do my own thing and the Knit Leader seemed the way to go. Please help!

Hi Silverleat

Firstly a note about the Blue Ruler. You cannot use it with the Knitleader. It is useful for finding how many stitches and rows measure 10cm (4″) if you want to work out your garment mathematically.

For detailed instructions on knitting a tension swatch see page 46 in the KH260 manual. Cast on over 40 needles knit several rows in main yarn and 2 rows contrast yarn. Now knit 15 rows using main yarn and the stitch you will use for your garment. Using a loop of contrast yarn knit needle 11 each side of centre 0 by hand then knit a further 15 rows. This gives 30 rows in main yarn. Now knit 2 rows contrast and several rows main yarn. Remove from machine. Roll the piece of knitting and give it a tug lengthwise to close the stitches.

Let it rest for at least a couple of hours and preferably overnight.

Now it is ready to be measured in millimetres. By the figure you give it will be 120 mm for 20 stitches. You should have a set of chunky stitch rules with your machine. Find number 11 it has orange ends and numbering and at one end you will see 120-122 printed on it. Put it into the Knitleader with this side showing. For the rows measure between the contrast rows in mm; this will give the measurement of 30 rows.
Set the Knitleader according to this measurement. Your KL book will explain in detail.

Both trippers on the main carriage have to be in working position.

When you feed the sheet into the Knitleader the stitch scale will indicate how many stitches to cast on for 6″ using scale 11 this will be 24 sts.

Now if you knit your trial piece it should come out the correct size. By the reading of 23 on the blue ruler you will have to knit about 34 or 35 rows for 6″.

I do hope this helps you to use your Knitleader.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-01-06 00:42:46
Hi Silverleat

Firstly a note about the Blue Ruler. You cannot use it with the Knitleader. It is useful for finding how many stitches and rows measure 10cm (4″) if you want to work out your garment mathematically.

For detailed instructions on knitting a tension swatch see page 46 in the KH260 manual. Cast on over 40 needles knit several rows in main yarn and 2 rows contrast yarn. Now knit 15 rows using main yarn and the stitch you will use for your garment. Using a loop of contrast yarn knit needle 11 each side of centre 0 by hand then knit a further 15 rows. This gives 30 rows in main yarn. Now knit 2 rows contrast and several rows main yarn. Remove from machine. Roll the piece of knitting and give it a tug lengthwise to close the stitches.

Let it rest for at least a couple of hours and preferably overnight.

Now it is ready to be measured in millimetres. By the figure you give it will be 120 mm for 20 stitches. You should have a set of chunky stitch rules with your machine. Find number 11 it has orange ends and numbering and at one end you will see 120-122 printed on it. Put it into the Knitleader with this side showing. For the rows measure between the contrast rows in mm; this will give the measurement of 30 rows.
Set the Knitleader according to this measurement. Your KL book will explain in detail.

Both trippers on the main carriage have to be in working position.

When you feed the sheet into the Knitleader the stitch scale will indicate how many stitches to cast on for 6″ using scale 11 this will be 24 sts.

Now if you knit your trial piece it should come out the correct size. By the reading of 23 on the blue ruler you will have to knit about 34 or 35 rows for 6″.

I do hope this helps you to use your Knitleader.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-01-06 00:42:46