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Flat lay arrangement of machine knitting tools showing several cast-on rags alongside claw weights and weight hangers, demonstrating essential tools for machine cast-on techniques
Machine Knitting Tips
cast on scrap and ravel cord

Cast on Rags

Cast on rags are a good alternative to scrapping on with waste yarn.

They are especially useful when casting on a few stitches (like the underarm stitches for a sleeve or for shaping a sock gusset).

They are re-usable and save time when casting on any number of stitches.

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Close-up photo of a knitting machine's tension assembly, showing detailed view of the numbered tension dial and threading area
Machine Knitting Tips
mast take-up spring mast tension dial tip

Thread it right

The tension mast on our machines controls the flow of yarn to the needles. Incorrectly threaded it can cause any number of problems, including mis-formed stitches, knitting dropping from the machine and mis-patterning. Take a moment to double check.

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Close-up of a knitted gauge swatch with yellow rulers
Machine Knitting Tips
gauge Gauge Rulers measuring swatch

Sometimes it's just something simple

Measure twice, KNIT ONCE
Words of wisdom to apply to establishing your gauge.

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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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Knitting machine carriage with essential tools and accessories, including needles, weights, and transfer tools for machine knitting
Machine Knitting Tips
machine knitting

Buying a Knitting Machine? Questions to ask

If are just getting started with machine knitting and you are looking to purchase a used knitting machine or add to your collection of machines, here are some questions to ask.

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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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