Hi everyone. I 3D-printed a knitting machine based on this design: https://www.printables.com/model/1191632-flatbed-knitting-machine . It uses Brother KR830/KR838/KR850 needles with 4.5mm spacing. I’m new to knitting and am trying to figure out how it all works so I can get the machine running properly and make any necessary adjustments. I’ve made a few test swatches using yarn with a weight of 1000m/100g. The yarn keeps slipping off the end needles, or the needle catches the yarn but fails to drop the stitch. What could be the problem? Also, could you advise me on how to choose yarn? What length-to-weight ratio (meters per 100g) should I look for, and how many strands should I use? Are there any other nuances I should be aware of? My main goal right now is to knit myself a scarf. Thanks in advance for any advice!
You actually need to use end weights, they are smaller and you hang them on each end of the knitting and move them up around every 10 rows or so.
They help the knitting off the end needles.
If you notice in your picture of your weight it draws inward after several rows and the majority of the weight is in the middle.
YouTube has a plethora of tutorials for machine knitting.
I think your yarn is on the light side for 4.5mm pitch. Using two strands of it side by side would give you a thickness akin to the '3-ply' in vintage patterns. Your yarn will work (is working!) but it might not be ideal for learning the machine.
I typically use 800m/100g for fine work, and the machine should work through to about 300g/100m without much tweaking.
The punch card swatches in this photo were made using 750m/100g merino yarn on a KH881, one strand per colour. Right swatch is using slip stitch and after blocking is about 36 stitches per 4" (row count is much higher than it would be for stockinette due to slip stitches).
It looks cool. I tried it out using the first yarn I had on hand. I’ll buy the right kind later, but I’m struggling to make sense of all the information regarding yarn—thickness, composition, and how to knit using two or more strands together. Thanks for help)
First of all, I want to make myself a scarf using several colors.
It's a learning curve for sure. I'm impressed with your machine :)
The yarn in the swatches is this one: https://hamburger-wollfabrik.de/products/2116-100-merino-schurwolle-extrafein It is 1500m/100g and I had it sent to me with two strands wound together (ie 750m/100g). Unfortunately for me this store no longer seems to ship to New Zealand, but they're worth a look if you're in Europe. I like that you can kind of design your yarn thickness with them and that it comes on cones.
Thanks. No one delivers to my location, but I’ll find something. I have at least some understanding now. Now it’s just a matter of learning to knit on this machine through trial and error. I’m still in the process of refining the machine; right now, I’m figuring out the best way to make the yarn guide.
Hi, it looks like you might be looking for help on machine knitting.
There is some helpful information within the wiki. Please take a look at it for helpful troubleshooting information, as well as common maintenance tasks and list of items machines should include.
In addition, this page is our FAQ. Solutions to many common problems are found here. If this is a new-to-you machine that is a Silver Reed, Singer, Studio, Juki, Empisal, Brother, or KnitKing, and the sponge has not been replaced yet, that's the first thing you should check out.
If you need additional help, please provide us with an information about your problem. You can start out by answering this list of questions
Once your question is answer or your problem is resolved, please change the post fair to Help! Solved!
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u/TerryKC1 18d ago
You actually need to use end weights, they are smaller and you hang them on each end of the knitting and move them up around every 10 rows or so.
They help the knitting off the end needles.
If you notice in your picture of your weight it draws inward after several rows and the majority of the weight is in the middle.
YouTube has a plethora of tutorials for machine knitting.