Using a garter bar

Can anyone help? I’m sure there must be an easy way but I don’t know who to ask.

Many thanks
Alice

If it’s any help you’re not alone and there’s actually a ‘knack’ in removing this bar. Do make a mark on the side of the comb you should use first to remove the stitches which is the side that has the little grooves. Also make sure that you pull all the stitches you’ve lifted off firmly on to the bar so that they’re in a completely straight line.

1. Remove the yarn from the carriage and turn the comb so the grooves now face the machine. (Some knitters find it helpful to put a claw weight on both ends of the work.)

2. Bring out any needle on the machine and examine the needle hook. Look at the stitch now on the garter bar and note that a strand of yarn lies over the groove. The hook of the needles is going to grab this strand of yarn as the garter bar is laid on top of the needles. Return the needle you were examining to non-working position.

3. Lay the garter bar on top of the needles with the left end stitch exactly over the left end needle. Be firm in your movements. Get this stitch right and all the others will also be ‘grabbed’.

4. Carefully pull the garter bar towards you a little and slightly tilt it upwards. Peer over to see if all the stitches have been ‘caught’. If not you can tilt the comb back ease off the comb and start again.

5. Assuming the garter bar has all the stitches on it now comes the vital bit. Keeping a firm grip on the bar tilt it slightly towards you. The bar gets caught in the hooks of the needles because you take the bar downwards without tilting it so the hooks catch in the holes of the garter bar. In one movement tilt the comb towards you and downwards. This must be done firmly and not too slowly. Some knitters find it best to hold the base of the bar with the fingers and place their thumbs on top of the bar to control the movement more easily. It’s no more than a gentle rotation of the wrist and gentle pull downwards. Once you do this successfully with the medium sized bar you can do it with the large one. Practice to get the knack and you’ll soon perfect the technique.

Best wishes
Anne

Anne
2008-11-24 10:35:39
Have a look at you tube there are demos on there as to how to use a garter bar
Hilda b
Hilda
2011-05-04 11:27:27