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Close-up comparison of three machine knitting yarns showing different ply counts: 2/8, 3/8, and 2/24, demonstrating varying yarn thicknesses
Machine Knitting Tips
yarn yarn counts

2/8, 3/8, 2/24 | Yarn weights for machine knitting

Yarn on cones is often referred to by the yarn count (3/8, 10/2 etc). By using a traditional Fixed Weight system, knitters and weavers can refer to yarns in a stadardized way.

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A Silver Reed LK150 knitting machine displayed with essential knitting tools and accessories, including transfer tools and a row counter
Machine Knitting Tips
accessory LK-150

Accessories for the LK-150

Explore 7 accessories that will expand your creativity with your LK150. Elevate your knitting game. Let's dive in and unleash the full potential of your LK150!

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Display of machine knitted sweater in self-striping yarn, revealing how garment width affects stripe patterns
Knitting Machine Yarn
Self-striping yarn yarn

Self Striping Yarn

I'm sure we've all been tempted by self-striping, variegated, space-dyed and self-patterning yarn. Whatever name you give it, the colors can call out to our creative selves but they may not always work out as planned.

The length of the color repeats play a big part in the success of using these types of yarns. Explore how the construction of these types of yarns can impact our knitting.

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Reader success story: sweater featuring Connect the Dots texture pattern adapted from Knit it Now design
Machine Knitting Success Stories
garment style sideways knit sleeves

Knitter Spotlight: Nicole's Creative Pattern Adaptation

Inspired by the Rain Chain Machine Knit-able, fellow knitter, Nicole, used the Knit it Now Misses Sideways pattern and the Connect the Dots stitch pattern for her SUCCESS.

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Close-up of a machine-knitted sweater showing aligned stripe patterns between body and sleeves, demonstrating stripe matching technique
Knitwear Design
stripes

Matching Stripes

When knitting sweaters, making sure the stripes on the sleeves and body align perfectly is a real challenge. It all comes down to the type of sleeves you're knitting.

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Close-up of knitting machine needles threaded with yarns of different weights, demonstrating the range of yarns suitable for machine knitting
Knitting Machine Yarn
needle pitch yarn YPP

Essential Yarn Guide for Machine Knitters

Learn about yarn types, tips, and a handy chart to help you choose the perfect yarn for your machine knitting projects

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A comically small knitting sample showing just three stitches cast on with about one inch of knitting, demonstrating what not to do when swatching
Machine Knitting Tips
gauge measuring stitches per inch swatch

This is NOT a swatch

The secret to success with your knitting is accurately establishing YOUR gauge by swatching.
Avoid common mistakes when swatching.

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Example of properly charted gathered sleeve implementation, illustrating sleeve drafting principles
Knitwear Design
garment shaping garment style sleeve

Puffy, Gathered Set in Sleeves

Puffy or gathered set in sleeves are classic.
You don't need a special pattern to knit them. Learn to chart your own .. with little or math!

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A knitting machine carriage positioned on the needle bed, ready for operation - a key component to inspect when buying a used machine
Machine Knitting Tips
machine knitting

Buying a used Machine? Ask Questions

Here are some basic questions to ask when buying a used knitting machine.

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Knitting supplies: a ball of yarn, ruler, calculator, and a knitted swatch being weighed on a digital food scale
Machine Knitting Tips
gauge hat Knit it Now Tool swatch swatching

Hats: How much yarn do I need?

Do you have enough yarn to knit the hat you have planned? Measure and weigh your swatch and use the Knit it Now yarn Estimator to quickly determine how much yarn you need.

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A close-up photo showing loose, uneven loops along the edge of a knitted fabric, demonstrating a common knitting machine error
Machine Knitting Tips
Maintenance tip troubleshooting

Loops at the edges

Sometimes it's the simplest thing that causes problems when you are knitting.

Check out my "rookie" mistake that caused me a headache.

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Side-by-side comparison of two knitted samples: one with standard stark stripes and one with softened color transitions between stripes
Machine Knitting Tips
cast on slip stitch stitch patterns stripes transitions

Stripe Variation

Make stripes special. Soften the transition between colors with just a few extra steps.

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