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A split image showing a woman wearing a hand-knit sweater alongside a knitting machine bed with hand knitting needles placed on it, illustrating the conversion between hand and machine knitting methods.
Knitwear Design
gauge hand knitting patterns

Convert a Hand Knitting Pattern for Machine Knitting

Understanding how to convert patterns will open doors to easily use hand knitting patterns with your machine knitting. It's not hard; there are several ways to do it. Pick the way that works best for you.

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Instructional drawing detailing where to measure a sleeve for machine knitting
Knitwear Design
garment style measuring sleeve

Measuring Sleeves for Machine Knitting: Tips for a Perfect Fit

Learn how to measure and adjust sleeve lengths on your knitting machine for a perfect fit. Avoid common mistakes with these expert tips

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Close-up of a knitting machine's needle bed showing the center zero position marked, with numbered positions extending to the left and right
Machine Knitting Tips
abbreviations cast on traditional patterns zero

Where is the Zero needle?

The abbreviations in vintage patterns can be confusing. Don't let this one trip you up.

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Guide to scarf and shawl measurements shown on standing silhouette with outstretched arms
Knitting Machine Projects | Patterns
measuring patterns scarves shawls

What is the best size for a scarf or shawl?

Like any other garment, the size of a scarf of shawl depends on personal preference plus the yarn and stitch pattern used.

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A speech bubble graphic containing the quote 'I'm afraid to waste yarn', illustrating a common concern among new machine knitters
Machine Knitting Tips
tip yarn

I'm afraid to waste yarn

Have you ever hesitated to start a project? Maybe you chose some very expensive yarn or you aren't confident with your skills. Here's a conversation we had with a fellow knitter who told us "I'm afraid to waste yarn".

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Knitted sample showing side-by-side comparison of ladder effects created by needles-out-of-work versus dropped stitches, with labeled sections identifying each technique
Machine Knitting Techniques
drop stitch lace dropped stitches needle out of work stitch patterns

Needles out of Work vs Drop Stitches

An easy way to add open work and dimension to your knitting is by adding "ladders".

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Vintage Japanese machine knitting diagram showing traditional notation symbols and pattern layout
Machine Knitting Tips
japanese notation knitting instruction

Japanese Notation for Machine Knitting

When knitting with Japanese knitting patterns or vintage machine knitting patterns, you'll often be presented with a diagram and some cryptic notations.
Learn to understand and apply 2-4-10 for your knitting.

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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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