Where do I start?

Hi
I live in North Devon and have always wanted a knitting machine because I’ve always loved hand knitting. Where do I start to find a machine that I would be able to understand how to use when the only tuition I can see appears to be in the North.
Thanks for any help.

Hi Peter

Is there a machine knitting group near you? Check the Guild of Machine Knitters website.

You will find that all knitting machines come with a manual which explains the basics: what the tools are called and what they are used for casting on and off increasing and decreasing buttonholes etc. Some machines are very basic and do not have automatic patterning others use punchcards and there is also quite a range of electronic machines.

If you buy a used machine make sure it has the manual with it. You can also use the manual to check that the machine is complete and has all the tools that it came with when new.

Silver are the only machines still being manufactured; they advertise in MKM. The website “Scan the Cat” has lots of information on Brother machines and “The Knitting Machine Museum” has useful information on all the different makes of machines. A search for “machine knitting” on the Internet will produce lots of useful information and there are quite a few demonstration clips on u-tube.

Metropolitan Machine Knitting have comprehensive correspondence courses both for single bed Japanese machines – Brother Silver/Knitmaster and Toyota and for these machines with a ribber attachment – and Passap/Pfaff. They also have separate courses for Silver electronic and Brother electronic.

Check the adverts in MKM for places that sell used machines; I’m sure they would be happy to give you advice if you contact them.

I hope you find what you are looking for and enjoy learning how to use it.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-08-21 11:14:42
Another great source is utube Diana Sulivan has some excellent tutorials.
Karen Freeborn
2012-09-11 19:19:54
Hi Peter
If you decide to purchase a punchcard machine I can offer to help you use it. I have a Knitmaster 360 which is the same as the Silver Reed machines. I can also help you on a Brother machine and my phone number is 01237-431959. Hope this is a help to you.
Joy
dingdongdell
2013-10-02 08:48:56

No instructions

Hi
I’ve just got a Simpleframe but unfortunately there are no instructions. Can anyone help me to use it?
Thanks.

I have some instructions and a few patterns . Send me an email at
Lindawer@facebook.com and I’ll send you a list of what I have.

Linda

Lindawer
2012-10-20 14:41:05

Club

Hi
Does anyone know of a machine knitting club or meeting which takes place near Nottingham or Mansfield in the UK? I’m now retired and would like to join such a group.
Thanks.

Hi

Have you checked the list of clubs on this website?

Also the Guild of Machine Knitters website lists clubs and their contact details. They have details for Mapperley Ollerton and Worksop. Perhaps one of those would be close to you?

Kind regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-08-23 15:13:12

Silver Reed PC10 HELP

Hi
I’ve just bought a secondhand Silver Reed SK840 with the PC10 pattern controller, which myself and daughters have tried to get to work, but we’re having no luck recalling any of the 100 inbuilt patterns – or anything else. I think that maybe it’s a faulty unit, but with no manual to test this I don’t know for sure. Having spent the week online and phoning around I’m no nearer getting a solution to my dilemma. Can anyone out there please HELP!
Many thanks

Hi
I have one of these and Metropolitan supplied a laminated sheet with all the instructions on it. They are based in Nantwich Cheshire and are really helpful.
Alternatively if you email me at marydonovan@btinternet.com I will try to help.
Best wishes Mary
knitting nurse
2012-09-21 14:31:46

Ribber wire

As a returning knitter I struggled with my ribber for months and followed advice to change the retaining bar. I had real difficulty hanging the ribber wire and frequently snagged my cast on row. I found a sturdier ribber wire and this has really solved the problem, it’s much easier to insert and I’m pleased with the way the machine knits.

Distorted rib stitches

Although my gate pegs and needles appear fine, I frequently get one or two distorted columns of stitches in otherwise perfect rib. Any suggestions as to the cause? I’m using oiled pure wool, so should I take all the needles out of the machine and clean them?

Hi

If you haven’t cleaned the needles for a while it may be a good idea to do so.

Also check that all the latches are working smoothly and try loosening the stitch size slightly. Oiled wool is quite stiff compared to waxed yarns and doesn’t like too tight a tension.

Hope this helps
Regards Sue.

Sue P
2012-07-18 19:25:10
Thanks for your time and assistance. I cleaned my ribber and was surprised to find how much fluff was inside it. I realise I need to use a lower tension than manuals would indicate.
Tanna
2012-07-23 16:43:49

Looking for an Instruction Manual

I am a crochet and knitaholic and teach at a number of neighbourhood houses around my local area. Unfortunately I’ve developed deQuervains syndrome in both hands and after surgery have found it increasingly difficult to hand knit. So one of my lovely daughters (No 3 of 5) bought me a knitting machine, so I am starting on my machine knitting adventure. I’m new to machine knitting having just acquired a Singer Cardmatic 312 and unfortunately it came without any manuals. Hours on the net have led me to the conclusion that Singer and Silver may be interchangeable. I found a Manual for the Silver K105 and the machine and parts look identical. Can anyone give me an answer? Many thanks from Australia.

Hi

If you go to: http://www.aboutknittingmachines.com/SilverReedManuals.php you will find at the bottom of the page a downloadable manual for the Singer Cardmatic 313.

These machines are the same as Knitmaster/Silver Reed machines and have the same patterning mechanism.

I hope you find this useful and you soon are able to get knitting.

Kind regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-07-18 10:56:48
Many thanks for you help but the machine that I have is a electronic and has a PC10 controller. I have been given a copy from a nice lady who runs courses on knitting at http://metropolitanmachineknitting.co.uk/
She’s been so helpful I dashed home with my copy and tried them out – it’s so simple when you have instructions.

Kind regards

Astrid

Astrids63
2012-07-23 16:43:49
Hi Astrid

I’m so pleased to hear you found the right manual.

Regards
Sue.

Sue P
2012-07-23 16:50:45

Chunky Knitter Model 155

Hi
I bought this machine about 20 years ago and have never used it. I’d like to get started so I set up the machine and I’m just so intimated that I haven’t been able to get past doing anything else. Can I use regular patterns to make a simple sweater? I’m not sure where to start so please help! I’m an intermediate (but slow) knitter and can read patterns fairly well.
Thanks for any help.

Hi
First don’t be afraid! Chunky machines are great to get started on. Is there a club near you? I would try Google or go to your local library to find one otherwise there are on-line courses as well as courses you can actively go on. I’ve just returned from Hereford with Amy Twigger Holroyd who has beginners’ classes on the Knitmaster Chunky 155. You could also try YouTube. Just put in ‘beginner machine knitting’ and select from the short videos. Some are better than others. Good luck stick with it it’s a great hobby. If you’re near Hertfordshire I could maybe help.
Best wishes
kazbill
2012-09-21 14:29:58
Hi
You don’t say the area you have come from but I’ve just bought a 155 and I’m willing to help if you live in the Lincolnshire area.
rosiewright
2012-09-21 14:29:58
Hi
First don’t be afraid! Chunky machines are great to get started on. Is there a club near you? I would try Google or go to your local library to find one otherwise there are on-line courses as well as courses you can actively go on. I’ve just returned from Hereford with Amy Twigger Holroyd who has beginners’ classes on the Knitmaster Chunky 155. You could also try YouTube. Just put in ‘beginner machine knitting’ and select from the short videos. Some are better than others. Good luck stick with it it’s a great hobby. If you’re near Hertfordshire I could maybe help.
Best wishes
kazbill
2012-09-21 14:29:58
Hi
You don’t say the area you have come from but I’ve just bought a 155 and I’m willing to help if you live in the Lincolnshire area.
rosiewright
2012-09-21 14:29:58

T-shirt or Polo shirt knitting pattern

Hello Anne
Thanks for this lovely knitting magazine. Please could you include a T-shirt with collar or a polo shirt knitting pattern for ages from newborn to adult for both men and women in the magazine? As summer is fast approaching, not everyone would love a cardigan, but as we know T-shirts are always popular so a knitted T-shirt would be cute.
Thanks, Anino

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