I think this would be a win win, for us MKers because we might learn how reorganize our stuff and for MKM, because that’s the only media who’d address this issue.
Other mags focus on crafting space, but MKers have never been included.
Letters
Knit Guy in the USA
HI I live in the US and love my knitting machines. I am disabled and had a kidney transplant in 2009. I also had a lung collapse in Dec of this last year and have a lot of back problems. If it wasn’t for my knitting machines I think I would go bonkers sitting here at home day after day. I love the MKM magazine and look forward to it every month. The only thing I wish is that it had a web edition. The cost of the magazine is very reasonable but the cost of shipping it to the US makes it very expensive. It cost almost 120.00 American. If there was a web edition I could just download what I like. I would also like to see a web edition of back issues. I want a lot of the back issues but the cost makes them out of my budget. Does any one else feel this way? I have knitted quite a few of the patterns from the magazine and they always turn out beautiful.
Thanks, Ronny
I absolutely agree with you. I too would like to see the magazine in a digital format. I’m willing to pay a yearly subscription.
Nana’s Creations
2011-08-03 15:33:14
Basic set of Mylar sheets for a Knitmaster 560
Hi
I’ve purchased a Knitmaster 560 but I don’t have the original set of Mylar sheets. I’ve tried knitting with the lace carriage but I’m having problems and I’m not sure if it’s the pattern card I’m using. Could anyone please help?
Cheers
Maureen
Hi Maureen
I don’t know if this will be of use to you but there is a set of Mylar sheets for the Knitmaster 580 on eBay at the moment. Item Number 230623359927.
Regards
Sue.
I don’t know if this will be of use to you but there is a set of Mylar sheets for the Knitmaster 580 on eBay at the moment. Item Number 230623359927.
Regards
Sue.
Sue P
2011-06-11 15:44:41
Yarn gets caught
I’ve tried setting the upper tension tighter and looser, cleaning the brushes, using thinner yarns, changing the brushes to rubber wheels and I’ve checked to make sure none of the gate pegs are bent. I’ve resorted to hand pulling the yarn every single time I move the carriage from right to left to prevent the long loops. Does anyone have a suggestions as to how to fix the problem?
Thanks
Nancy Basler
Hi Nancy
I have experienced this problem when I had a Brother machine and to a lesser extent on my Toyota. First check that the right sinker plate is adjusted properly – there are screws underneath to alter its alignment.
I have experienced this problem when I had a Brother machine and to a lesser extent on my Toyota. First check that the right sinker plate is adjusted properly – there are screws underneath to alter its alignment.
One knitter solved it by removing the brush on the side that was forming loops. That seems a bit drastic but as you have tried just about everything else you might find that this works for you too.
Hope you manage to overcome this annoying problem.
Regards
Sue.
Sue P
2011-05-04 18:46:56
Hi Sue
Thanks for your advice regarding the yarn getting caught on the gate pegs. I looked carefully at the sinker plate and saw some screws but am not sure how to adjust them. I have carefully watched the carriage as it moves from left to right and can see no difference from one side to the other but am not positive what exactly I should be looking for. Do you have any advice on how to adjust the sinker plate? Thanks again
Nancy
Thanks for your advice regarding the yarn getting caught on the gate pegs. I looked carefully at the sinker plate and saw some screws but am not sure how to adjust them. I have carefully watched the carriage as it moves from left to right and can see no difference from one side to the other but am not positive what exactly I should be looking for. Do you have any advice on how to adjust the sinker plate? Thanks again
Nancy
Nancy Fancy
2011-05-16 21:37:10
Hi Nancy
If you look up from underneath the carriage the sinker plates on each side should be the same distance from the gate pegs. You would only need to make an adjustment if they were out of line.
If you do need to re-adjust it loosen the screws a little – enough to be able to move the sinker plate. Move it a little and re-tighten the screws. The sinker plates are usually flush with the front of the sinker plate assembly and parallel to it.
I have just thought of something else. Does your take up spring have enough ‘spring’ in it? They can lose their spring as they get old and this could cause problems. They are easy to replace if this is the problem.
Regards
Sue.
If you look up from underneath the carriage the sinker plates on each side should be the same distance from the gate pegs. You would only need to make an adjustment if they were out of line.
If you do need to re-adjust it loosen the screws a little – enough to be able to move the sinker plate. Move it a little and re-tighten the screws. The sinker plates are usually flush with the front of the sinker plate assembly and parallel to it.
I have just thought of something else. Does your take up spring have enough ‘spring’ in it? They can lose their spring as they get old and this could cause problems. They are easy to replace if this is the problem.
Regards
Sue.
Sue P
2011-05-17 16:11:51
Knitting Machine Accessories
Please does anybody know where I can obtain an instruction manual or book on how to use the Knit Radar? I’m also looking for the stitch scales for the Knitmaster 360 machine. Does anybody know where I can obtain them? I saw one advertised on this site but there’s no way of knowing whether it will be suitable for my machine. I’ll be grateful if anybody can help.
Thanks, Fred
Hi Fred If you google knitting machine + manuals there are some out there. Good luck!
Regards
Hilda
P.S. Is it a half size radar ?
Hilda
2011-05-04 11:27:27
Hello Fred
As long as the stitch scales are for Knitmaster/Silver Reed they should be compatible with your machine.
Such items are often available on eBay or try the advertisers in MKM.
Hope you manage to find what you are looking for.
Regards
Sue.
Sue P
2011-04-20 15:13:42
How to make an i-cord on an SK860
I’ve been unable to set the carriage so that it knits in one direction only. The only option I’ve discovered is to slide the release lever each time I want to return to the knit row. This seems to be a clumsy way to achieve one directional knitting. Can anyone help please and thanks in anticipation.
Hi Veridian
I don’t know if this will help or not – it depends if your carriage is similar to the older Knitmaster machines. Mary Weaver gives the settings for cord knitting in her Technology and Patterns. For Knitmaster the Left Side Lever is set to the Circle mark and the Right Side Lever is set to the Triangle with the carriage set to Slip. I hope this helps a bit Regards Sue.
I don’t know if this will help or not – it depends if your carriage is similar to the older Knitmaster machines. Mary Weaver gives the settings for cord knitting in her Technology and Patterns. For Knitmaster the Left Side Lever is set to the Circle mark and the Right Side Lever is set to the Triangle with the carriage set to Slip. I hope this helps a bit Regards Sue.
Sue P
2016-01-27 19:43:29
Hi
I’m sending this confirmation for the benefit of other people who may also read this several years after the original posting – as I did. I tried this technique on my Knitmaster 155 Chunky and it worked fine. The only thing is that you need to completely remove any punchcard in the reader first so that it doesn’t pick up any settings. I forgot the first time and a 1×1 card picked up alternate stitches on the slip row and knitted them! Kind regards Lyn
I’m sending this confirmation for the benefit of other people who may also read this several years after the original posting – as I did. I tried this technique on my Knitmaster 155 Chunky and it worked fine. The only thing is that you need to completely remove any punchcard in the reader first so that it doesn’t pick up any settings. I forgot the first time and a 1×1 card picked up alternate stitches on the slip row and knitted them! Kind regards Lyn
Moogie1947
2016-01-27 19:42:44
Organized knitting space
I’m sure I’m not alone in working in the guest room, squeezing in a few knitters, sewing and serging (overlocking) equipment, yarn, threads and accessories. I’d also like some information on how to start and operate a home based machine knitting business, cottage industry and or work as a non-profitable organisation. Any help would be great and thanks for listening!
Petra
PetraKnits in Vancouver, WA, USA
Hi Petra
Here’s just a thought for you. I had my knitting machine and attachments in our sun room taking up lots of space. My husband converted part of our attic into a room for me specifically for my knitting and sewing machine. I now have my own room with TV heater and lots of space. It didn’t cost a great deal but he was able to do it himself. I too would be interested to hear from anybody with ideas on starting a home based knitting business. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Mary
Here’s just a thought for you. I had my knitting machine and attachments in our sun room taking up lots of space. My husband converted part of our attic into a room for me specifically for my knitting and sewing machine. I now have my own room with TV heater and lots of space. It didn’t cost a great deal but he was able to do it himself. I too would be interested to hear from anybody with ideas on starting a home based knitting business. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Mary
scary007
2011-03-31 18:14:27
Hi
I had a double garage made for my studio where I have my wool carders and stock supply for the markets I attend. I have several knitting machines but as yet have to update my skills with them. As they say Rome wasn’t built in a day’. I eventually hope to use some of my hand spun yarns on them. I started with markets but have now extended to an on-line shop. I still need to get out there for advertising.
Cheers Colleen
Colleen’s Crafts
www.colleenscraftsstore.com
http://craftycolleen.blogspot.com
I had a double garage made for my studio where I have my wool carders and stock supply for the markets I attend. I have several knitting machines but as yet have to update my skills with them. As they say Rome wasn’t built in a day’. I eventually hope to use some of my hand spun yarns on them. I started with markets but have now extended to an on-line shop. I still need to get out there for advertising.
Cheers Colleen
Colleen’s Crafts
www.colleenscraftsstore.com
http://craftycolleen.blogspot.com
collarn
2011-03-31 18:13:11
Hi Petra
It sounds like you’re well on your way to using the guest room. If you like working in that room then don’t use it as a guest room – keep it for your work room! If you still have a bed in there then remove it to make more room for floor to ceiling shelving for your stash paint the walls plain white and have extra lighting installed. I too was in the guest room when I started out. I simply told people they could no longer stay over and that was it. I worked in that room for two years before getting my studio. My studio is in our mill it’s a room off to the side and has wonderful cedar walls so while I’m working in there I’m breathing in all the wonderful cedar aroma! I then changed the room back into a guest room now everyone’s happy.
All the best to you!
Qiviut-queen
It sounds like you’re well on your way to using the guest room. If you like working in that room then don’t use it as a guest room – keep it for your work room! If you still have a bed in there then remove it to make more room for floor to ceiling shelving for your stash paint the walls plain white and have extra lighting installed. I too was in the guest room when I started out. I simply told people they could no longer stay over and that was it. I worked in that room for two years before getting my studio. My studio is in our mill it’s a room off to the side and has wonderful cedar walls so while I’m working in there I’m breathing in all the wonderful cedar aroma! I then changed the room back into a guest room now everyone’s happy.
All the best to you!
Qiviut-queen
qiviut-queen
2011-07-04 19:46:54
Hello all
I agree with Petra that many of us knit out of a guest room. Sadly I don’t have a garage or sufficient attic space to move out of my guest room. I would love to see some ideas on how others have organized this space to be suitable for both. My room is a meagre 12′ x 15′ and needs to accommodate a queen size bed desk small sewing table and bulky knitting machine along with the yarn and bag storage. The closet is small. HELP!
Thanks Phyllis
I agree with Petra that many of us knit out of a guest room. Sadly I don’t have a garage or sufficient attic space to move out of my guest room. I would love to see some ideas on how others have organized this space to be suitable for both. My room is a meagre 12′ x 15′ and needs to accommodate a queen size bed desk small sewing table and bulky knitting machine along with the yarn and bag storage. The closet is small. HELP!
Thanks Phyllis
phyl1knit2
2011-07-04 19:46:54
Hi all !
Thanks for sharing! I’m there with you and it’s great for the ones who have been able to expand their creative space in their home. Like Sally says we’re not all so fortunate and have to make do with sometimes untenable situations to pursue our beloved craft.
We should unite and pressure MKM to bring out a series of articles on how to use our space creatively. I think this would be a win win for us because we might learn how to reorganize our stuff and various machines and for MKM because not only is it one of the few knitting machine magazines left but also it would be the only magazine to address this issue. Other mags focus on crafting space but to my knowledge machine knitters have never been included.
All the best Petra
PetraKnits
2011-07-04 19:46:54
email and url addresses
In one of the knitting yahoo groups to which I belong I read the frustration (and second it heartily) about not being able to order from Nina Miklin because no e-mail and/or a direct link to order on-line is provided. Her books are popular in our circles and we’d love to be able to order them on-line. Can anyone help?
Help, new to machine knitting
Unfortunately it didn’t come with any patterns or punchcards. As I’m new to machine knitting I would be very grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction as I’m struggling to find any 18 stitch patterns or punchcards.
Thanks
Try ebay.
oggi47
2011-03-15 11:09:45
Hi
There are some sets of the original punchcards for this machine on eBay.com. The item No. is 370385415929 they are in Australia and the seller ships worldwide.
Hope this helps
Sue
There are some sets of the original punchcards for this machine on eBay.com. The item No. is 370385415929 they are in Australia and the seller ships worldwide.
Hope this helps
Sue
Sue P
2011-03-15 11:09:45
Hi
There are some punchcards – new – on eBay UK item No. 150577901013.
Regards Sue.
There are some punchcards – new – on eBay UK item No. 150577901013.
Regards Sue.
Sue P
2011-03-21 20:53:20
FC6 Fair Isle carriage wanted
Many thanks.
Barbara
Barbara If you have not yet located an FC6 carriage I have a friend who has a brand new one and looking to sell.
Donna
Donna L
2013-08-09 15:10:47
Looking for FC6 as well. Donna does your friend still have hers for sale?
Hatgirl
2013-08-09 15:11:09
I would love to purchase a FC6 Fairisle Carriage for my LK150. If you have one available or know of one available for sale please contact me. Thank you so much!
Regards Nancy
npenn135
2013-08-09 15:10:33
Happy knitting!
Jo