A flat lay arrangement of various machine knitting weights, showing different sizes and styles of claw weights and ribber weights used for tension control

Using weights when Machine Knitting

By using weights when machine knitting, you can achieve success even with those "difficult" yarns and stitch patterns and ensure that your stitches form more cleanly.

claw weights weights

When knitting on a machine, weights are used to hold the fabric down while the machine is knitting. Weight is needed to ensure the stitches form correctly.

Weights come in a variety of sizes and styles to accommodate different knitting machines, yarn weights, and fabric thicknesses. Some weights are designed specifically for use with double-bed knitting machines, while others are designed for use on any type of machine.

Claw Weights

The "claws" grab onto the stitches and can be easily moved up as the knitting grows. (No you won't damage your knitting)

Ribber Weights

Ribber weights are most often used with a Ribber Cast On Comb for double bed knitting (and they hang between the beds)

In this example, the ribber cast on comb and weights were used for single bed knitting to add even weight across the knitting.