Lace on the machine

Lace Basics
Ribber
DesignaKnit and Lace
Lace Inspiration
Hand Manipulation
Tuck Lace
Elongated Stitches

Lace on any machine

You don't need a standard machine with a lace carriage to create fabulous lacy, openwork fabrics!

A lace carriage and automatic patterning makes quick work of creating lace, but just a little hand manipulation or even simple gauge changes can give you the look you want.

Don't forget ... with the Knit it Now Perfect Fit Basics, you can substitute any stitch pattern. Transform a plain 'ol cardigan into something special with lace!


Automatic Lace Patterning

Machine Brand Differences

To knit lace with the Brother / Knit King machines, you use 2 carriages and it's a 2 step process.
  • Use the K carriage along with your patterning device (electronics, punchcard or hand selecting needles) to select the needles for your design
  • Use the L carriage to make the transfers

To knit lace with the Singer/Silver/Studio machines, the lace carriage transfers and knits the stitches in one pass. (no switching of carriages between rows)

These lace carriages are only available for standard gauge machines. The carriage literally picks up and bends the machine needles to make the transfers. This would not be possible on mid-gauge or bulky machines.

Lace Tutorials

Swatching in Pattern Knitting

Identify Punchcards

Stitch Types and Yarn Usage

Shortrow Shaping with the Lace Carriage

Fine Lace on the Brother Machines

#1 Tip for Using the Lace Carriage

For those times when you need to transfer a single row of stitches use your lace carriage.

This is perfect for Picot Hems, transferring EON for reducing stitches or for creating simple lace designs.

This is a great time saver ... give it a try!
You must login in to Knit It Now before viewing this content
Login

The Best Advice EVER!

NO TEARS IN KNITTING!

When knitting lace, there will be the inevitable dropped stitch.
Get in the habit of using lifelines and there will be fewer tears.

Lifelines: A Knitter's Best Friend

Lifelines: Ravel Cord Method

LIfelines: Scrap off Method

Troubleshoot Lace

Lace can be a bit fussy.
  1. Make sure you have even weight on your knitting. We suggest using a ribber cast on comb (see the video below)
  2. Bent, or damaged needles can create problems
  3. Make sure your sponge bar is fresh
  4. Don't allow the machine to transfer the edge stitches:
    - Brother machines, push the selected needles into working position
    - Silver, Singer, Studio use the devices to prevent end needle selection
  5. If you have your ribber attached, pull the knitting out and let it hang OVER the ribber, not between the beds.
    Use ribber covers, file folders or magazines to cover the ribber bed and protect the knitting from the gatepegs and needles


Double Bed Lace Fun

With a little hand manipulation or racking, you can create open work "lace" with your ribber ... imagine the possibilities!

Racking Magic

2x2 Ribbed Lace

Create your own lace patterns

Use the Power of DesignaKnit to create your own lace patterns. Copy designs from magazines and books or create your own!

DAK: Lace Lessons Learned

Intro to the DAK Lace Tool

Invest the time ... it's worth it!

OK, hand manipulation isn't always fun .... but with these techniques, the investment in your time is SO worth it!

Zig-Zag Lace

Zig-Zag Lace Flags

Lifted Lace

Crochet-look Lace

More Lace Inspiration

Multiple Waves

Radiant Eyelet Lace

Lacy Waves

Double Eyelet Lace

Lace Look Without Stitch Transfers

Incorporate needles out of work with tuck for an open work fabric that resembles lace ... without transferring stitches.

This can be worked with automatic patterning or on manual machines. A favorite technique here at Knit it Now!

Tuck Lace

Tuck Lace on a Manual Machine

Technically Not Lace

This technique produces an openwork fabric similar to lace. Once you understand the concept you'll discover many variations of "stretching" individual or groups of stitches for an open fabric.

Elongated Stitches (no ribber)

Elongated Stitches (double bed)

More Elongated Stitches