Does anyone know if it is possible to use double knitting yarn on a Toyota 901 please? I’m finding it difficult to get 4-ply in the yarn I would like.
I tried using DK and it worked but the fabric was a little on the stiff side. Just to complicate matters my machine broke down. I’m happy to say all is well now but I’m on catchup. Playing with DK is going to have to wait at least until after Christmas. I’ve managed to acquire a Brother 230 from a friend but it’s not quite a complete machine. It needs the tensioner and rods (whiskers I call them) and a few other bits and pieces to at least get the main bed going again. It has a ribber but one of the back plates is missing for some strange reason and the coupling between the main bed carriage and the ribber is also missing. I remain hopeful that I’ll be able to find these eventually.
Sorry to hear there are parts missing from the 230. Did you know that there are a lot of machine-knitting related things on Ebay UK? You should be able to find what you are looking for there.
If the DK is too thick to knit using every needle have you tried using alternate needles and a tighter tension? That usually works and gives a good feel to the fabric. You have to give the knitting a good tug to close up the stitches.
Hope you are successful.
Regards
Sue.
Thanks for your comments. The Toyota is now fully operational and whizzing along happily. I keep a close eye on eBay and have found items for both machines. Just took delivery of an intarsia carriage for the Toyota today – something else to learn. I’ve got most of the parts to get the Brother 230 working now also from eBay except for the tension unit. However I downloaded an instruction manual for it and had a close look at the tension unit on there. There’s no adjustment with it simply a square block with two eyes on it where you thread the yarn through. It would seem the tension for that machine is on the carriage itself so I would probably be able to use the Toyota’s tension unit there at it’s widest setting to just really guide the yarn.
At the moment I’m making (or trying to) a sweater in Fisherman’s rib on the Toyota. I’m having problems with the raglan shaping. First time I’ve tried it using the ribber. The instructions on the pattern weren’t too clear and I got it wrong (thank goodness for wool winders) so I’m trying different ways of tackling this. The instructions in the Toyota manual are easier but doesn’t give such a neat finish as the other one would. It’s just trial and error and eventually I should get it right.
It’s certainly a lot of fun and it keeps me busy.
Best wishes Fiona
Sounds as if you are getting on really well!
I have a KH260 which is a chunky Brother machine with punchcard and its tension mast is the same as for most machines. You will probably find the Toyota one works OK.
If you are knitting Fisherman’s rib on a 1×1 setting the easiest decrease is to transfer the outside stitch on to the next needle on the opposite bed. Then join the raglan seams with backstitch. When sewn neatly this gives a good straight seam line.
It sure is a lot of fun and every garment we make is unique!
Kind regards
Sue.
Yes you can use DK on your machine. Page 11 in the handbook has a useful guide to yarns and tensions. You can match a strand of your yarn with the thickness of those shown in the photo to get an idea of the tension to use.
Kind regards Sue