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Craft Yarn Council yarn weight standards table showing categories 0-6 with corresponding common names and knitting machine recommendations
Knitting Machine Yarn
yarn

How to Make Smart Substitutions for Machine Knitters

My favorite yarn is discontinued .. what can I substitute?

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Carolyn wearing her completed tuck stitch sweater, with close-up views showing the hand-knit ribbed button band and pocket detail. The modern design features clean, ribbing-free hems
Machine Knitting Success Stories
cardigan patterns

Never Give Up: How Carolyn Conquered Her Sweater Challenge

Shared success from a fellow knitter. Lesson shared: Don't Give Up!

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Technical illustration comparing two cardigan neckband styles, showing side-by-side variations of neckline and band treatments.
Knitwear Design
bands cardigan

Cardigan Band Styles

Classic cardigan style sweaters can be finished 2 ways. If you've never noticed, take some time to study ready-to-wear styles and browse Ravelry or other knitting sites.

Which do you prefer?

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A knitted swatch with measurement markers placed to check gauge, demonstrating how swatching helps plan projects and test stitch patterns.
Machine Knitting Tips
gauge swatch yarn

The Lessons this Swatch Taught Me

I'm planning a hand-knit blanket for my college-age granddaughter and almost skipped the swatch. The first swatch showed I didn't have the patience for the complex stitch pattern but confirmed I loved the yarn. After frogging it, I started fresh with new enthusiasm and I was armed with information to plan and chart my blanket pattern.

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Two old, partially-used yarn cones in the foreground with a yarn tree holding multiple cones visible in the background, illustrating the challenge of destashing old knitting supplies
Knitting Machine Yarn
stash yarn yarn

I tossed 20 cones of yarn

Spring cleaning in October ... there is no prize for hoarding yarn.

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Home knitting machine mistakes to avoid
Machine Knitting Tips
dynamic patterns gauge patterns shaping swatch

4 Common Machine Knitting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Are these common mistakes holding you back? Discover four pitfalls machine knitters face – like skipping swatching or juggling too many patterns – and learn practical tips to overcome them. Boost your productivity, master your machine, and knit with confidence!

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knitting machine needlebed with zero marked
Machine Knitting Tips
machine knitting stitch multiples stitch patterns tip

Why does 0 matter?

Why do I have to cast on in the middle of the needlebed?

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Tuck stitch construction diagram showing yarn path
Machine Knitting Techniques
stitch patterns tuck

9 Tips for Knitting Tuck

Tuck is an all-time favorite stitch pattern that can be worked on ANY knitting machine.
Tuck adds texture and knit in multiple colors it can create unique color patterns as well.
Here are 9 tips for knitting tuck.

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Three cones of machine knitting yarn representing yarn available from specialty suppliers.
Knitting Machine Yarn
machine knitting resources yarn

Sources for yarn on cones

You don't NEED to use yarn on cones for machine knitting. but if you prefer, here is a list of sources.

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Nearly empty ball of yarn in a glass jar, illustrating the anxiety of yarn chicken
Machine Knitting Tips
machine knitting yarn tip yarn

Have you played Yarn Chicken?

Pushing the limits of the yarn you have on hand is often called "yarn chicken"

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Hands holding knitting needles beside a close-up of a knitting machine
Machine Knitting Techniques
fairisle hand knitting machine knitting stitch patterns

Hand Knit + Machine Knit: How to Combine Both Techniques

Combine hand and machine knitting for faster, better results. Learn when to switch, what to knit by hand, and how to adapt patterns to your machine.

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DesiganaKnit Pattern Printing options
DesignaKnit Tips and Tricks
DesignaKnit

DesignaKnit: Explore 13 Pattern Printing Options

What kind of knitting instructions does DesignaKnit Provide? Examine 13 different styles of knitting instructions.

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