Helpline

Double Bed Jacquard Help!

Firstly, many manuals say that I should be using approx tension 4 for 4ply. When I tried that it was almost impossible to pass the carriage from one side to the other. I cannot knit lower than tension 7 (which is still pretty tight) – am I doing something wrong?

Secondly, and most importantly, I am not happy with the way that the stitches line up. One of my patterns have a feature of alternate colour stitches in a row (i’ve attached an image of part of the design, as well as the final result). Once knitted the stitches of the same colour clump together, almost creating a line.

The same applies to the back… I have knitted this on birds-eye setting (lili) and again, they are almost lines.

If anyone can explain why this is happening I would be extremely grateful. I’ve read every manual and searched the web, without any luck!

Please help!

Zara

I think you have been given the wrong information. They must have meant single jacquard (Fair Isle) when they said 4-ply yarn was suitable. For Double Jacquard 2-ply thickness is best and 3-ply is reasonable – depending on the yarn.
A Bird’s eye pattern won’t work with the LILI setting. You might try a double length 1×1 but sorry I can’t remember what card number that is for Brother. Nancy
ozmartian
2010-06-04 09:52:33
I think you have been given the wrong information. They must have meant single jacquard (Fair Isle) when they said 4-ply yarn was suitable. For Double Jacquard 2-ply thickness is best and 3-ply is reasonable – depending on the yarn.
A Bird’s eye pattern won’t work with the LILI setting. You might try a double length 1×1 but sorry I can’t remember what card number that is for Brother. Nancy
ozmartian
2010-06-04 09:52:33

Pattern For Felted Bags

I have made a number of felted bags and i make 2 sides of a very simple rectangle in Dble Jacquard [for thickness] I start at the top with a Dbl Bed hem knit the length and take off on waste.Knit the 2nd side and cast off together Add a small rectangle for a pocket. sew halfway up the sides. Make 2 long tubes for handles and then put in WM on wool wash cycle. You just have to make sure to put something in the bag and handles so they do not felt together. You may have to repeat the wash or put in dryer to felt sufficiently. Look in handknitting or felting mags for inspiration Nancy
ozmartian
2010-06-03 19:39:09
I have made a number of felted bags and i make 2 sides of a very simple rectangle in Dble Jacquard [for thickness] I start at the top with a Dbl Bed hem knit the length and take off on waste.Knit the 2nd side and cast off together Add a small rectangle for a pocket. sew halfway up the sides. Make 2 long tubes for handles and then put in WM on wool wash cycle. You just have to make sure to put something in the bag and handles so they do not felt together. You may have to repeat the wash or put in dryer to felt sufficiently. Look in handknitting or felting mags for inspiration Nancy
ozmartian
2010-06-03 19:39:09

Holding Position in tuck rib

Has anyone got a diagram of this please? I am not sure how to cope with the tuck stitches when the needles are in holding position. This is for a lovely Nina Miklin cardigan. Many thanks Gilly

Hi Gill

There are a couple of things you can do.

On the row before you put the needles in holding position bring those needles which will be put to hold to upper working position so that they will knit their stitches. Then you will not be putting needles with multiple loops into holding position.

Alternatively you can transfer the stitches to the bed which is knitting stocking stitch and put those needles in holding position.

I hope this helps solve your problem

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2010-05-22 11:30:53
Hi Gill

There are a couple of things you can do.

On the row before you put the needles in holding position bring those needles which will be put to hold to upper working position so that they will knit their stitches. Then you will not be putting needles with multiple loops into holding position.

Alternatively you can transfer the stitches to the bed which is knitting stocking stitch and put those needles in holding position.

I hope this helps solve your problem

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2010-05-22 11:30:53

Which Machine?

Hi Bracken
Most people start knitting on a ‘standard gauge” machine; they are very versatile and can knit a very good range of yarns.
There are three main makes Brother Toyota and Silver Reed/Knitmaster. The only new ones being sold at the moment are Silver Reed. There are many second-hand machines available but rather than suggesting a particular make I would advise you to look for one that is in really good condition preferably one that has been serviced and has a new Needle-retaining Bar. The last thing you want to do is buy a machine that does not work properly and gives you problems before you begin. Make sure you get the Instruction Manual and check that all the original tools are present. There is a page or two in the manual which details what came with the machine when new. Whether you choose a punchcard model or an electronic is up to you; the basic techniques are the same on both. If possible have some lessons or do a correspondence course. Metropolitan Machine Knitting do a really good one for Japanese standard gauge machines.
Hope this helps a bit
Sue.
Sue P
2010-04-24 08:21:09

Bramwell 4 ply and tension square!

Hi Sue
Don’t waste time trying to match tensions exactly I don’t think it can be done! I have never been able to!.
Knit a sample using different stitch sizes and choose the one which feels right and looks right.
Using this stitch size knit your tension swatch remove from machine roll it up and gently stretch it lengthways and allow it to rest preferably overnight.
Now measure 40 sts and 60 rows. The Green Ruler is very useful here. Say you feel T 7 is right with 30s/35r to 10 cm.
From the measurements given on the pattern diagram you can work out how many sts to cast on and how many rows to knit how many sts to decrease etc. If you need to cast on for a width of say 44cm you would multiply 22 by 3 for the number of sts – 132. Say the length is 45cm you multiply 45 by 3.5 for the number of rows – this comes to 157.5 so you round it up to 158.
You may well find the numbers closely correspond to some of those written in the pattern in which case you can use the ones that match even if they are from different sizes.
Hope this helps you
Sue too.
Sue P
2010-04-16 08:31:12
Many thanks Sue will give this a try!
Susie
2010-04-22 19:41:16

Knitmaster Lace Carriage

Before I came to Australia (1992) it was brilliant but since 1992 I haven’t used it, it has remained tucked up in it’s little box, until recently when I got quite excited about it and decided to give it a go. (A granddaughter on the way!) I will attach two photos of just two of my many attempts with it to show the extra holes! I have a new needle retaining bar so that isn’t the problem. No matter how careful I am, checking and re-checking all the settings etc., the results are the same and extra stitches get thrown off resulting in an unwanted hole. The yarn I used was just a soft 4-ply acrylic. The extra holes aren’t usually in the same spot either, so I can’t blame a dodgy needle. If anyone out there can come up with a reason I will be eternally grateful.