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Basic machine knitting setup with learning guides, showing how to start with Knit it Now's educational resources
Machine Knitting Tips
tip

Are you making machine knitting harder than it needs to be?

Getting discouraged with the knitting machine is preventable. Too many knitters forget that "Rome wasn't built in a day" .

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Close-up of a machine-knitted Fairisle pattern showing two-color stranded knitting
Machine Knitting Techniques
Double Bed jacquard

Jacquard vs Double Bed Jacquard

The term "jacquard" has a specific meaning the the fashion world, but machine knitters tend to use it differently.

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Organized machine knitting workspace showing a knitting machine, tablet with digital pattern, and essential tools ready for project planning
Machine Knitting Tips
patterns tip

Success Starts with Planning: Your Machine Knitting Project Guide

As if you are building a house, when knitting sweaters there are 2 important considerations, a plan and a blueprint.

Before you start knitting you need to identify what you want to knit (a plan) and have a blueprint (a pattern) to make it happen.

As you are reading the blueprint there may be symbols or terms that aren't quite clear to you. You wouldn't start cutting lumber and pounding nails before you understand exactly what you were building. The same holds true for knitting a sweater.

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Close-up detail of a machine-knitted blanket in Fisherman Rib stitch, showing colorful self-striping yarn patterns and textured ribbing
Knitting Machine Projects | Patterns
blanket Fisherman Rib patterns ribber

12 Reasons to Machine Knit this Blanket

Updated, colorful and fun, this one-piece, machine knit blanket is sure to please! Knit in a self striping yarn in Fisherman Rib with your ribber and you'll be done in no-time! Here are 12 reasons to knit this blanket.

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A visual guide showing the Knit it Now Success Path, which outlines progressive skill levels and learning steps for machine knitting, from beginner to advanced techniques, featuring linked tutorials and recommended patterns for each stage
Machine Knitting Tips
knit it now

Machine Knitters Success path

Where are you on your journey to mastering your knitting machine?
Build your skills with the MACHINE KNITTERS SUCCESS PATH

Whether you are just getting started, returning from a break or you've been knitting for a while, the path offers logical steps for building on your knowledge and developing new skills for your machine knitting.

Included are tutorials from the Knit it Now Learning Library and suggested patterns you can use each step of the way.

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Three colored gauge rulers (green, yellow, and blue) shown among other machine knitting tools, used for measuring knitting gauge without calculations
Machine Knitting Tips
accessory gauge Gauge Rulers swatch swatching

Gauge Rulers are NOT machine Specific (Green, Yellow, Blue)

Gauge rulers are a quick (and no-math) method of establishing gauge.

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Side-by-side comparison showing hands holding traditional knitting needles next to a knitting machine, illustrating the transition from hand to machine knitting
Machine Knitting Tips
machine knitting the basics tip

Hand Knitters guide to Machine Knitting

"I am an accomplished long-time hand knitter and just got an LK-150 knitting machine. I've been able to knit a couple of hats. I want to knit my first sweater...."

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DesignaKnit software interface connected to a non-electronic knitting machine via specialized cables, showing how manual machines can be integrated with digital knitting software
DesignaKnit Tips and Tricks
DesignaKnit manual machine

DesignaKnit with Non Electronic Machines

Can you use DesignaKnit with Non-Electronic machines?
If you have a manual or non-electronic (or punchcard) machine , you can use the Interactive Knitting feature of DesignaKnit. Use this for an LK-150, Brother KX350, or any non-electronic machine (even electronics that are no longer working.)

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Illustration showing how to measure knitting gauge, featuring drawings of knitted swatches with markings for counting stitches horizontally and rows vertically
Machine Knitting Techniques
gauge machine knitting swatch swatching tension

The ONE Secret to Machine Knitting Success

Gauge is the ONE thing that will make or break your knitting. When using a knitting machine we can't measure-as-we-go. It is especially critical for machine knitters to know their gauge before starting ANY project. Here are 7 things that can affect gauge. Knitting swatches in NOT optional! :o)

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Close-up of machine-knitted fabric showing various garter stitch techniques and textural accents achieved on a knitting machine, contrasting with traditional stockinette stitch
Machine Knitting Tips
garter bar garter stitch ribbing techniques transfer stitches

9 Ways to Knit Garter Stitch on a Knitting Machine

When knitters are first introduced to knitting machines, they are surprised that we can't easily knit Garter Stitch (knit every row).

Because we aren't reversing our work as you do in hand knitting, as we knit, we are working knit and purl rows to create stockinette.

Here are some clever ways to add the texture of garter stitch.

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Side-by-side comparison of a standard knitting machine clamp next to a modified extended clamp that accommodates thicker tables, showing the before and after of this machine mounting solution
Machine Knitting Tips
accessory clamp

Machine Clamp Hack

Have you ever tried to attach your knitting machine to a table that was too thick for the clamps?

With the right tools, this hack is genius!

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Three Stitch World pattern book covers arranged in a collage, showcasing reference guides for machine knitting stitch patterns including tuck, slip, and fairisle techniques.
Machine Knitting Tips
brother electronic fairisle punchcard stitch multiples stitch patterns tension setting tuck

Stitch World Stitch Pattern Inspiration

Are you looking for a little stitch pattern inspiration? The Stitch World pattern books are a go-to for machine knitting "eye-candy".

Organized by stitch type (tuck, slip, fairisle, etc) they provide images of knitted samples as well as the chart for each pattern.

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