Dear Anne and anyone with database skills. Would it be possible to sell indexes of the patterns created over the years for |MKM, as I have so many magazines in my collection it takes me a week to find the one I want. If somebody who has the time, patience and resources to create some I would gladly pay for them as I suspect would many other subscribers to this magazine. My magazine collection goes way back to the 1980s but I’m not sure if it is possible to catalogue all the magazines but since MKM became electronic and web friendly that might be possible? Anybody able to help me?
Sponge Bars
Hi
I have found a better alternative to sponge on the sponge bars. I have replaced the sponge with a row of 12 conical springs, the type found in AAA battery packs purchased from Maplins Electronics. A battery pack costs 89p and has four springs. Remove the springs are attach to the sponge bar then cove with a length of metal tape, the type found in retractable tape measures. The smaller type are usually 1 metre long and the same width as the sponge bar. Purchased from our local hardware store these are £1.29 for a twin pack.
When the tape is cut from the holder remember to put Sellotape over each end, they are very sharp. You just have to remember when inserting the sponge bar it has to be inserted upside down so that the springs are facing away from the needles. I use this method in both the main bed and the ribber attachment. The bar works perfectly and I have been using it for over a year now and the springs are still in perfect condition. Up until I created this method the sponge bar was the absolute bain of my life, very hard to find, expensive and messy to replace on a DIY basis. I hope this helps.
Arts Alive – Melissa Warren knitting courses
Brother KH881
Hi
I’m unable to move the knit carriage across the needle bed without it jamming and there are loose needles.I bought my Brother KH881 knitting machine about 15 years ago, but I never managed to get the machine to knit and put it away. Recently I decided to set-up the knitting machine and to try to learn to machine knit. I’ve cleaned and oiled the knitting machine and I’ve replaced the needle retaining bar.
I’ve followed the instructions from the machine knitting manual in an attempt to plain knit. The knit carriage jams against the needles in B position, they’re very loose once extended beyond B position and in holding position don’t lie straight
on the needle bed.
Could this be the K carriage itself that’s faulty? Could it be the fact that the knitting machine has always been faulty?
Could you please advise further.
Many thanks from Lilian Guyers in Skelmersdale
Hi Lilian
It’s good that you have cleaned your machine and replaced the needle retaining bar. From what you have described I think you may have put the bar back in under the needles instead of over them.
Take the bar out again and then replace it foam side down whilst using the straight edge of the 1×1 needle selector to hold the needles down against the numbered strip.
Hopefully this will solve your problem.
Kind regards
Sue.
It’s good that you have cleaned your machine and replaced the needle retaining bar. From what you have described I think you may have put the bar back in under the needles instead of over them.
Take the bar out again and then replace it foam side down whilst using the straight edge of the 1×1 needle selector to hold the needles down against the numbered strip.
Hopefully this will solve your problem.
Kind regards
Sue.
Sue P
2011-09-16 17:15:30
Hi Lilian
It’s good that you have cleaned your machine and replaced the needle retaining bar. From what you have described I think you may have put the bar back in under the needles instead of over them.
Take the bar out again and then replace it foam side down whilst using the straight edge of the 1×1 needle selector to hold the needles down against the numbered strip.
Hopefully this will solve your problem.
Kind regards
Sue.
It’s good that you have cleaned your machine and replaced the needle retaining bar. From what you have described I think you may have put the bar back in under the needles instead of over them.
Take the bar out again and then replace it foam side down whilst using the straight edge of the 1×1 needle selector to hold the needles down against the numbered strip.
Hopefully this will solve your problem.
Kind regards
Sue.
Sue P
2011-09-16 17:15:30
Ayr Machine Knitting Club
We start back after the summer break on Tuesday 6th September for show and tell, demonstrations and anything related to machine knitting. We’re a friendly group with a wealth of knowledge and experience in machine knitting and look forward to welcoming you to our club. Meetings are held at Kyle Academy, Ayr and please e-mail Maggie at mlhmb@btinternet.com for further information.
Tip for making an easy gauge swatch
I used to have trouble when I made my gauge swatch counting the number of rows and stitches, especially if I used a furry or bouclé yarn. To solve this problem I cast on at least 20 more stitches and knit about 10 to 15 rows. At this point I tie on a brightly coloured contrast yarn on the stitches just prior to my gauge stitches. For example, if the gauge is 20 stitches and 30 rows to 4 inches I put the yarn on the 9th row and the 9th stitch and the 21st stitch (this is based on knitting 40 stitches for the whole piece). I then knit the 30 rows and place the marker again on the 31st row and the 9th and 21st stitch. I knit a few more rows, take the piece off the machine and stretch it a bit and let it settle. It’s absolutely essential to let it settle for a few hours and overnight is best if you can wait that long. When I measure the piece I just measure inside the coloured scrap pieces and adjust from there and this method has never let me down.
Hope it helps someone and good luck with your knitting.
Ronny
Help, please
Hi
I need a knitting club and help with a Silver Reed carriage please. Does anybody know whether an SRP60 carriage will work on the needlebed of an SRP50?
Also, does anybody know of a machine knitting club in the Leeds, West Yorkshire area? Thank you for any help and an excellent machine knitting magazine.
Christine Murphy
Knitmaster 560 lace knitter
Hi
I need help with my Knitmaster 560 lace knitter. I’ve not used this for many years and have set it all up ready to go, but it jams at the beginning of the first row of pattern. Suggestions please or the contact details for a Hertfordshire knitting club.
Many thanks
Maggie
I used to own a 580 and now have the 840. To be honest I always found the lace carriage very heavy on both these knitting machines. However have you oiled the carriage? Have you checked that all the needles are ‘lace’ needles and not some ring-ins from an earlier knitting machine? Have you tried starting from the other side?
Sorry I can’t be more constructive but the best of luck!
Sorry I can’t be more constructive but the best of luck!
ozmartian
2011-09-30 20:23:27
Yateley MKC
Although our numbers are low, we’ve recruited several enthusiastic new members over the last year. As funds are diminishing we run the meetings among ourselves with only one speaker a year. We’ve been doing ‘Back to Basics’, as we believe that we all need this from time to time however long we’ve been knitting and it’s proving very popular. We’ve a monthly competition with everyone voting for their favourite (with tiddlywinks!) and points are awarded towards a yearly winner. We also have a charity night and a Christmas meal.
If anyone is interested in joining us on the second Wednesday of the month (except August) from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm in Room D1.6 at Yateley School, please contact me on 01252-660250 or e-mail sandracornwall@ntlworld.com. I’d also like to mention that Jenny Barker and I have started knitting classes as these seem to be very thin on the ground. We have our own building and can offer group or individual tuition. Great magazine so keep up the good work. Best wishes from Sandra Cornwall
Lucky Strike
I always read my MKM from cover to cover, but I don’t have room to store the issues, so I just take out the patterns and articles that interest me and have built up quite a comprehensive file now. Keeping like with like, it’s very easy when I want to find a particular item. I keep them together under headings such as punchcards, edgings, scarves, baby, child, adult and the funny odd things that crop up from time to time. Thus I’m very grateful that the magazine has given me all this information and also keeps me up-to-date with the goings on in the machine knitting world. Thank you once again and yours sincerely, Chris Tanner
Amy