Machine Knitting – Picking the Right Machine Knitting Equipment

You’ve been knitting by hand for years, and you think you’re ready to move on to machine knitting. Think again. Hand knitting and machine knitting are two totally different crafts. If it took you long hours of practice to perfect your manual skills, getting familiar with your knitting machine requires double the effort but the rewards are truly enormous. A stitch done by hand has an equivalent of an entire row when done with a knitting machine.

What type of knitting equipment do you need? It all depends on the yarn you prefer. There are three basic types of knitting machines: bulky or chunky machines, standard beds, and mid-gauge machines. They come in a wide array of styles ranging from plain looms to really complex computerized models.

Knitting machines can be mechanical or electronic. Mechanical knitting machines are sold with punch cards you can readily use or customize according to your preference. Electronic knitting machines offer more options, with many models providing up to 300 patterns you can mix and match, knit mirror-like, sew in reverse, or alter in dimensions.

If you wish to knit sweaters and afghan blankets, a bulky machine may be the right equipment for you. Bulky machines are built with heavy-duty needles that are placed 9mm apart and hooks and latches that are large enough to handle thick yarns. Silver Reed, Studio and Brother are familiar brands of bulky knitting machines.

Mid-gauge knitting machines stand right in the middle of the pack, with smaller hooks and latches compared to those fitted with bulky knitting machines but larger than those on standard beds. Mid-gauge knitting machines have needles located 6.5mm apart that can knit sport, baby, and worsted yarns, with a variety of techniques like slip, tuck, weaving, stockinet, ribbing, and plating. The downside to mid-gauge machines is that they do not have lace carriages or a collection of patterns.

Built with tiny hooks and latches and needles that are set 4.5mm apart, standard knitting machine beds can easily knit thin yarns. They also offer a myriad of stitch type options.

A typical electronic standard bed has over 650 patterns stored in its memory, with ample space for custom knitting machine patterns. A high-end model like the Brother KH970 has a built-in lace carriage and proprietary software that enable machine knitters to program one garment to various gauges, yarns, and stitch types.

Before seeking out knitting equipment, settle on the knitting yarn type you will be using, which special features you need, and how much money you are willing to fork out. Note that a row counter, strain mast, and ribber are must-haves in a knitting machine. With a bigger budget that can cover a first-class machine, you might want to consider advanced settings such as garter bars, lace carriages, punch cards, intarsia carriages, and automatic color changers.

A feature-rich knitting machine can go a long way to developing your skills. It can motivate you to work on more sophisticated projects as you discover what your machine can do.

Emily J Watson writes articles about knitting, knitting machine patterns and how to make money from your knitting. Visit her blog at http://www.machineknittingadvice.com for more essential advice, ideas and reviews on machine knitting.

Best Sites For Free Baby Knitting and Crochet Patterns

Baby and Children are usually the first patterns beginning knitters look for when starting to knit. Many knitters and crocheters, no matter how long they have knitted or crocheted, prefer babies and toddlers projects. There are so many sites for finding free baby knitting and crochet patterns on the Internet. Here are just a few of this writer’s favorites, those with knitting and crochet testers, the best free knitting and crochet patterns for children and babies.

Garn Studio allows the visitor to print free patterns in eleven different languages. There’s even a link for American English patterns and British English patterns. You’ll find many crochet and knitting patterns for children and babies: hats, sweaters, blankets. You’ll also see links for their yarn on the Garnstudio.com site at discounted prices, however, you can use your own yarn.

If you click on the resource link at the bottom of this article, you find hundreds of free patterns that will pique your interest. Under the image, Garnstudio specifies “gauge/tension, number of stitches per 10 cm/4″ or crochet hook. Suggested yarn may be replaced by yarn with a similar knitting tension.” So you don’t have to buy their yarn to download the pattern.

At AllAboutYou you will find free patterns from Debbie Bliss and Erika Knight, both noted children’s knitting and crochet designers, who create beautiful traditional patterns, with timeless style that can be passed down for generations. You will have such a hard time making a decision just which knitting or crochet pattern to tackle first… So many hats, sweaters, cardigans, vests, and blankets.

Knitty.com is an online magazine where designers post their patterns you may download for free. Have fun and start creating, knitting and crocheting for babies and children!

Sharon Watterson – author is a knitter, not an expert, who writes about the art of knitting and talented knitters and designers in the vast knitting community. She enjoys finding new patterns, new techniques, and always learning about new yarns. She writes online http://www.ehow.com/members/knittingscribe-articles.html as Knittingscribe and on Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-23677-Providence-Knitting-Examiner.html as Providence’s Knitting Examiner. She holds a BA in English. This article is copyrighted by Sharon Watterson.

Machine Knitting Tips & Tricks

With all the sophisticated controls, a knitting machine may look intimidating to a novice user. Hand knitters who are trying out their knitting machines for the first time can follow these tips and tricks to help them ease into the fun world of machine knitting.

Prevent your buttons from dropping from machine knitted garments by attaching them with a dental floss and/or fishing line rather than thread. You can hide the lines or floss by putting yarn over them. Dental floss and fishing lines are also superb for creating ravel cords.

When sewing in zippers, we usually use garment pins to hold them in place. But these pins are inconvenient when you are moving a fabric through the knitting machine. One alternative is to use fabric glue in place of pins. After the glue dries up entirely, start sewing the zip onto the fabric. Fabric might shrink when washed so treat it first before applying glue.

Fairisle is a common stitch done on a knitting machine. It is made up of two colors knitted on one row. Many knitting machines can handle single fairisle stitches rather easily, with advanced options for 3 to 4 more colors. In contrast, Intarsia is a stitch made up of unlimited colors knitted on one row. A special Intarsia carriage is usually used with knitting machines.

To make delicate picot edges on machine knitted garments, pull out alternating needles to the outermost point. Do an e-wrap cast. Move the machine knitting carriage to your right and do 10 rows. Move the carriage again to the right while working on the other alternating needles and do 12 rows. Hang the hem on every needle.

When measuring garment dimensions, you should not use a test swatch that you didn’t make on your knitting machine. For every machine knitted project you will make, you will need to knit a separate test swatch.

Find out if a yarn is man-made or naturally made of animal or plant through a bleach test. If you soak a piece of yarn in bleach, bubbles will form around an animal-type yarn and it will disintegrate in less than 60 minutes. If the yarn fades but does not dissolve, it is created from plant fiber. Man-made yarns can withstand bleach.

While working with irregular patterns, wrong estimates are a common error, leaving you with such a lot of spare yarn. Using the same stitch and yarn you’ll be applying on your project, create a trial piece of a hundred rows and a hundred stitches (width) on your knitting machine.

Arrange your swatches according to needle size, pattern, yarn type, and washing instructions. Keep them near your machine knitting work area as they can be useful for future reference.

Emily J Watson writes articles about knitting, knitting machines and how to make money from your knitting. Visit her blog at http://www.machineknittingadvice.com for more essential advice and reviews on machine knitting.

10 Warm Items To Knit With Knitting Patterns

If you’ve either recently started knitting or are about to take it up as a hobby, then you may want to make a number of items to keep you and your family warm during winter. If you’re looking for inspiration, you may want to consider using knitting patterns to help. Here are 10 things you make using knitting patterns.

1. Gloves – in these freezing conditions, our hands can feel the cold the most. Consider knitting a pair for yourself and everyone in your family.

2. Scarf – this is one of the easiest things to knit, but also one of the most appreciated. Why not experiment with colours or tailor the colours to the family member you’re knitting it for?

3. Jumper – staying warm is vital and one of the best ways to do that is to pack on the layers. However, a good jumper may mean not having to walk around the like Michelin man just to stay warm.

4. Socks – like our hands, feet can feel very cold when out and about during winter. Knitting a warm pair of socks will be a great addition to your wardrobe.

5. Blankets – whether it’s for curling up in front of the TV with or as an extra layer in bed, a blanket can come in very handy for the family.

6. Hats – the head is where you lose the heat, so make sure it’s well covered when you’re out and about with a wooly hat.

7. Mittens – little ones are particularly vulnerable to the cold, so make sure they’re wrapped up with some warm clothes and a pair of mittens knitted using knitting patterns.

8. Cardigans – back in fashion and highly practical, cardigans are great for people of all ages.

9. Baby shoes – why not step up your knitting ambitions by making a cute pair of baby shoes for your son or daughter.

10. Waistcoats – extra layers are always helpful for keeping out the cold, so why not consider making yourself a new waistcoat?

If you need help finding knitting patterns, a family magazine – either online or in print – will be able to help you. Not only that, but they’ll be full of other great tips, such as healthy family recipes, crafts and travel.

Candis is a family magazine that can help with all aspects of family health, hobbies and issues. Plus, they can even help you find cheap family holidays. Visit Candis.co.uk today for more details.

How to Use a Knitting Loom

Whether you’ve been knitting all of your life or you’ve never seen a knitting needle, everyone seems to be curious about knitting looms. How do they work? What are they? For a start, instead of using traditional straight or circular knitting needles to turn yarn into fabric, a knitting loom uses pegs. Knitting looms come in different shapes and sizes, some are round others are straight, but all of them accomplish the same thing: you can knit garments with pegs versus needles, which results in less strain for your hands. Many knitters with arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome have switched over to loom knitting for this reason alone. It’s also fairly simple to learn, making loom knitting a great way to introduce children to your beloved hobby.

With loom knitting, you can create a variety of different stitches depending on how your wrap the yarn around the pegs. The gauge is determined by the thickness of the pegs and the distance between them. What’s most intriguing about these tools is that they can be used to create round garments like hats or socks, but they can also be used for flat projects like afghans and scarves.

Other types of knitting looms:

Rake Knitting Loom: This knitting loom comes in either wood or plastic and is rectangular in shape. This type of loom can only be used to make flat garments. Projects made with this knitting loom will have a right and a wrong side, and usually require the help of a knitting tool or crochet hook to complete a project.

Afghan: These looms comes in three main shapes: oval-shaped, S-shaped and figure-eight shaped. You can purchase both single or double raked versions, just like knitting boards. If you buy a smaller afghan knitting loom, you can create perfect squares which can be sewn together later to make an afghan.

Knitting Board: Knitting boards are made up of two parallel rakes that are connected to one another. Knitting boards can be used to create fabric that’s finished on both sides, meaning the purl side (wrong side) will be hidden between the two knitted sheets. Gauge on knitting boards can be adjusted by altering the width between the rakes. The distance between each of the pegs also affects the gauge.

Each knitting loom works a little differently, but they are generally pretty easy to pick up.

Happy (loom) knitting!

Caitlin Kavanaugh is an Editor for http://www.FaveCrafts.com – a popular online resource for all things crafting, from crafting with kids and Christmas crafts to free crochet patterns and free knitting patterns.

Knitting Blanket Patterns – How to Make a Baby Blanket in a Few Easy Steps

One of the things that we all like to do, and truly there’s nothing better than to twist up on the lounger under a wonderful warm cuddly blanket, and what better technique to get your blanket than to make it yourself. This could be a project that could be a bit beyond most learners, but once the fundamentals of knitting are mastered, the creation of your own knitted blanket should be a breeze.

A Web search for Knitting Blanket Patterns will exhibit many sites where patterns can be purchased, some easy, and some with a little higher level of complexity. This is the very first thing you must do when hunting for your dream project.

There are some smaller projects a learner could commence with, and one of these is the tested Baby Blanket. There are plenty of styles of Baby Blanket and it nearly appears there’s one for every occasion.

The following free pattern was found online, and has turned out to be an excellent addition to several nurseries. Give this a try to see how you go at making a little blanket for baby, and then progress into the warm cuddly surrounds of your own adult size blanket, for those cool winter nights.

Materials you will need:
Bulky yarn or two strands of worsted weight held together as one
6 x 6 oz skeins to create a blanket about 38 inches by 48 inches.
US 13 circular needles 29? long to accommodate all of the required stitches
tapestry needle

Special Instructions:
Slip all stitches purlwise
yif = with yarn in front, yib = with yarn in back

Directions:
Cast on 120 stitches or # of stitches divisible by 6
Do not connect in the round. Knit back and forth as you would on straight needles.
Row 1: *P3, yif, sl 1, yib, K1, yif, sl 1, repeat from * to the end of the row
Row 2: *P3, K3, repeat from * to the end of the row
Row 3: *P3, K1, yif, sl 1, yib, K1, repeat from * to the end of the row
Repeat these 3 rows until desired length.
BO on a Row 2 in pattern.
Weave in Ends.

To create a Decorative edge:
cast on 122 stitches
every row – slip first stitch purl-wise, work in pattern to last stitch, knit last stitch.

There are lots of other knitted blanket patterns available, and you must spend a while taking a look at all of the numerous styles, colours, and ability levels. The pattern above is for a baby blanket, and manifestly by manipulating the amount of stitches, and rows, etc, you can make a standard adult sized blanket from the same pattern.

Kelly Boger is a knitting expert. Learn how to create outstanding knitting craft, from home, with no experience needed! Discover more information about knitting blanket patterns, visit http://www.Enjoyknitting.Com.

Premature Baby Charity Knitting Patterns

Do you want to knit for a good cause? Wondering where to start? Is there a need?

Yes there is!

Whether you are nutty about knitting or an eager novice with your needles paused there are lots of charities to choose from. Knitting for charity can definitely be fun, but it can also be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding things you’ll ever do.

Have you knitted for your children? Your grandchildren? Your friends’ children? Your friends’ childrens’ children? Knitting baby clothes is quick and rewarding but sometimes there are just not enough babies in your social circle to knit for. If you love knitting beautiful little items of baby clothing then why not think about charity knitting for premature babies?

There are lots of ways that you can click your knitting needles for a worthy cause. The information here will help you begin charity knitting for premature babies. There is something sweet about knitting a little item for the tiniest of babies. Not only are you providing an individual gift for someone who urgently needs it, but also baby clothes are quick and simple to make! So it’s gratifying in more ways than one. Even if you’re a novice this is a venture you can start and see through right to the end. Read on for some great general guidance on charity knitting for premature babies and some details of particular charities you can have a look at before you decide who to knit for. The charities often offer free knitting patterns.

Where can I find Premature Baby Charity Knitting Patterns?

Bliss
One of the many ways that you can support Bliss is by knitting for babies in special care units. Knitted items are most helpful for babies about to go home, but there is also a need for blankets and hats for babies in hospital. Knitted items are often not suitable for intensive care units – stitched cotton is preferable. However for larger babies, and in high dependency and special care units, knitted items are often very welcome.
Bliss asks that to reduce their costs volunteer knitters help by sending items direct to their local unit, and not to Bliss. To find the address of your local unit, and to check which items they have requested to receive, please contact Bliss via their website.

Bliss also use Knitted breasts. The knitted breasts allow nurses to easily demonstrate to women important massage techniques that let them stimulate their milk production and express their valuable first drops of milk. They are particularly helpful when there are language barriers. Woollen breasts are a brilliant free alternative to expensive teaching aids that are used by health professionals to educate new mothers to express by hand before going on to use an electric pump.

Bonnie Babies
This charity sends premature baby outfits and blankets to special care baby units around the UK and to parents who need support. A mother who needed a way to deal with the loss of her premature child founded Bonnie Babies six years ago. Bonnie Babies makes premature clothing, blankets, and burial outfits for U.K. Special Baby Care Units and families. Their aim is to show each mother and family that there are people thinking of them and caring for them.
Bonnie Babies mainly makes blankets for premature babies. They provide patterns for toys, hats, and sweaters (including a “5 Hour Baby Sweater!”), but blankets are quick, simple to make, and guaranteed to fit. Families can then continue to treasure them long after the child is grown.

Feed the Children

Feed The Children is a UK charity that has a knitting pattern for a jumper appropriate for children of all ages. They are also look for knitted hats, gloves and scarves.

Early Angels
This is a site based in the U.K set up to help people to knit, crochet or sew clothes, blankets and other keepsakes for premature, low birth weight and sadly stillborn babies. They have a wide range of free knitting, crochet and sewing patterns accessible on their pattern page.
The charities have a lot of information on their websites, below is some general advice to help you get those needles clicking.

Colours

Pastel colours are the most popular. Apart from baby pinks and blues other colours, which may be chosen, are: Lemon, Cream, White, Mint Green, Peach, Lilac and Aqua. It is accepted that bright and dark colours should be avoided as they often make premature babies look frailer. When knitting burial garments the advice suggests its best to use colours such as white or cream and to avoid pinks, blues and lilacs, as they are not appropriate for the colouring of a stillborn baby.

Yarn

Premature babies have very delicate skin and can often be allergic to wool; therefore it is best to steer clear of garments made with a wool mix. Acrylic yarn is more appropriate when knitting for preemies. Ideal yarn to use for preemie knits is baby double knit or 4ply yarn. Most preemie patterns will use these.

Size

Don’t put too much importance on trying to perfect the size of a preemie item of clothing. There is a great difference between premature baby sizes and so an item of any size should be suitable for at least one baby. As a general guide premature babies head circumference is roughly the same as their chest circumference. The average premature babies chest measurements are 8″-14″. However clothes of all sizes are needed for preemies, so no matter how big or small your item is it will most likely fit at least one baby.

Fastenings

Plain flat half-inch buttons are best to use for fastening. Avoid nylon and metal fastenings, as they get very hot under the incubator heaters. Do not use Velcro as a fastening, it is very scratchy on the hook side and also damages knitted garments when they are laundered. Ease of dressing is vital for preemies and as a general rule it is best not to use ribbon as a fastening as ribbon can often be fussy to tie on a garment so small.

The charities involved usually have free knitting patterns and advice on their websites so do not be worried by all the details as you really will be able to find a garment to suit both your knitting skills and the babies needs

Knitting items for premature babies can be very worthwhile and rewarding. It is definitely appreciated by the charities and the families who receive them. If you are excited by the prospect of getting your knitting needles working for charity and want to explore charity knitting for other organisations here are some other ideas to help your search.

Charity Clowns

Teddies for Tragedies

Algerian Action

Save the Children

Knitting for Operation Christmas Child

The Sailors’ Society

Loving Hands

Operation Elderly Charity Stitcher

The Baby Pack Project

I hope you find the right premature baby charity knitting patterns to suit your skills and enjoy the rewards of knitting for charity.

Find out more

I am a mom to one gorgeous little boy who was impatient to be born, arriving early at 34 weeks. I am not a great knitter but know the importance of donated items to mothers of premature babies. Find out more:

http://babycharityknitting.blogspot.com/

Best Knitting Needles – Top 6 1/2 Tips For Choosing So They Don’t Wreck You and Your Knitting

Knitting needles come in such amazing variety, it could make your head spin. There are circulars, double pointed needles, or straights in metals, woods, plastics, et cetera, all with different points–blunty stumpo to lace pointy. Throw in the yarn you choose for a particular project and you add more confusion. Which will work best with this yarn in that pattern in your unique hands? Is it all trial and error?

Well, sorta.

The size and shape of your hands and the way you move them as you knit is unique. Don’t believe me? Go to any knitters group and observe the multitudinous ways they achieve their knit and purl stitches. Wild, huh? Did you notice they use all kinds of needles? Here’s why.

Top 6 1/2 Knitting Needle Factors

1. Style

Knitting needles come in circulars, double points, or straights in varied lengths to suit your project or your preference. You might get four, five or six dpns in a set. With circulars, you have the added factors of smooth, sturdy joins and cable flexibility.

2. Material

Metal ones can be aluminum with a light texture or nickel-plated with a slick finish. Wooden ones can be bamboo, ebony, rosewood or birch. Other materials include vintage bone, plastic, modern glass and acrylic. Each has different warmth, flexibility, drag or slipperiness when combined with a particular yarn.

3. Points

Blunt ones don’t split your yarn, lace ones can enter small apertures (or your fingers!). The more tricky stitch maneuvers may require a pointier needle–or not. It depends on you, how tight or loose you knit, your choice of yarn and the stitch pattern for a particular project.

4. Sizes

Two important factors about size:

First, did you know one size 1 (for instance) needle isn’t always exactly the same size as another size 1? The size difference can alter your gauge depending on material or brand. Ack!

Second, we have up to five needle size methods throughout history. Let’s focus on contemporary methods: American and U.S./U.K. metric. American sizing gives one size 1 where metric gives us two: 2.25 mm and 2.5 mm. American gives one size 2 where metric gives us two: 2.75 mm and 3 mm. Ask any sock knitter if this matters or not when trying to get gauge. Hint: it matters! More sizes mean more choices for better results.

5. Brands

We started out with home-made wood or bone needles back in the day, then steel in “old” (reversed!) sizes. Then came our familiar Boye and Susan Bates along with casein and plastic needles. Now there’s a vast array of brand names: Addi (Turbo Lace, Natura, Clicks), Brittany, Clover, Crystal Palace, Denise, Harmony, Hiyahiya, Inox, KA, Knitpicks, Kollage (square!), Lantern Moon, Pony, Skacel, Surina and Takumi. I’m sure this list doesn’t mention every brand out there. You may rely on one brand over another for a particular quality you find important.

6. Price

Sometimes your wallet affects your choice. Your perfect needles for your latest project might come from a thrift store for ten cents or out of your mother’s stash for free. But if you love circs, you might invest in an interchangeable kit versus buying them one by one in this or that length. Often you need two or three needle sizes or lengths for one particular project. Maybe your arthritis requires a pricey set of fancy wooden needles or you can’t knit at all.

6 1/2. Innovations

Yes, a bonus factor. Now you can try square needles, touted as easier to grasp. Or lighted tips for knitting in the dark. Or a cro-hook for easier picking up of stitches. Who knows what innovation will next tickle a knitter’s fancy?

These 6 1/2 factors impact your choice of knitting needles for good or ill.

Good luck finding just the right needles that work in your hands for maximum knitting pleasure with each project. Choose wrong and you’ll experience physical trauma, frustration and wasted money on stalled projects.

For tips on avoiding knitting mistakes from a professional tailor who knits, visit my KnitsGoneBad blog at http://knitfitninja.com/blog/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Wehrle