Knitweave
Intro to Knitweave
Knit Weave up close
Knitweave Projects
Other uses for weaving
Knit Club LIVE Show
What is Knitweave?
The often over-looked technique of Knitweave creates beautiful knitted fabrics with lots of possibilities.Unlike traditional weaving, think of weaving on the machine as "laying-in" a second yarn on top of the knitting.
It is a decorative technique that can be used to create interesting textures and incorporate yarn that may not be suitable for your machine.
Have a small amount thick, fancy (possibly expensive) yarn? Use it in your machine knitting with Knitweave!
Examples
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6At no time does the weaving yarn actually knit a stitch (or enter the hooks of the needles). The weaving yarn is carried over or under each needle to create the design.
Because the weaving yarn is carried across the purl side of the knitting, the purl side us generally used as the right (or public) side. But certain yarn combinations and stitch patterns can create interesting fabrics with the knit side as the right side.
Try using ribbon or strips of fabric - the sky's the limit!
Because the weaving yarn is carried across the purl side of the knitting, the purl side us generally used as the right (or public) side. But certain yarn combinations and stitch patterns can create interesting fabrics with the knit side as the right side.
Try using ribbon or strips of fabric - the sky's the limit!
Knitweave Overview
- At no time does the weaving yarn actually knit a stitch (or enter the hooks of the needles). The weaving yarn is carried over or under each needle to create the design.
- Set your tension to 1-2 numbers higher (looser) when working knitweave
- Automatic patterning (punchcard or electronics) is used to select the needles and create the knitweave pattern design
Weaving brushes position the weaving yarn, but or machines without brushes, the yarn can be manually woven under and over the needles. - Although automatic patterning is used to select needles, the carriage is set for plain knitting. Positioning the weaving yarn creates the pattern.
- Unlike other 2 color techniques, the weaving yarn is not threaded in the second yarn feeder. It is positioned so it is taken across the needles ahead of the main yarn.
- Position the yarn
- On older machines, the weaving yarn is carried across the needles in work.
- On newer machines, the weaving yarn is positioned in a specially shaped section on the end of the carriage or between 2 metal arms on the end of the carriage
- The weaving yarn must be transferred after knitting each row. (keep in mind that as you knit a row of Knitweave, the weaving yarn is carried AHEAD of the working yarn in the yarn feeder)
- Carriage on the right - position the weaving yarn on the left side of the carriage
- Carriage on the left - position the weaving yarn on the right side of the carriage
- Don't forget when the carriage is passed, the weaving strands are "enclosed' and NOT knit
- Try the knitweave technique with needles out of work. Having extra space between the knit stitches allows the knitweave yarn to "peek" through to the knit side of the knitting. You may prefer the knit side as the right (public) side with this technique
- To secure the weaving yarn on the edges of your knitting, pull the edge needle all the way out on the carriage side every row. In other words, ensure the weaving yarn wraps around the end needle.
- When removing the weaving yarn from the weaving feeder to position it on the opposite side, it is helpful to give the carriage a little push back and forth to release the strand from the weaving brushes and allow it to flow freely to knit the next row
Studio, Silver, Singer
Brother, KnitKing
Knitweave Basics
Weaving on the knitting machine can produce beautifully textured fabric. Here's a fun way to use small amounts of novelty or luxury yarns on your machine knit projects.
Also included are some interesting "lifted" techniques to add even more options to using the knitweave technique. For this tutorial will assume that you have read your instruction Manual and are familiar with the basics of working this technique.
Electronic and punch card machines make the needle selection easy.
Also included are some interesting "lifted" techniques to add even more options to using the knitweave technique. For this tutorial will assume that you have read your instruction Manual and are familiar with the basics of working this technique.
Electronic and punch card machines make the needle selection easy.
Manual Machine -No Brushes?
If your knitting machine doesn't have weaving brushes, you can still work knitweave.
You can achieve the same results by manually weaving the decorative yarn over and under needles instead of relying on brushes. Watch how it's done!
You can achieve the same results by manually weaving the decorative yarn over and under needles instead of relying on brushes. Watch how it's done!
Short Row Shaping with Knitweave
Shape your knitting while weaving
Beautiful Knitweave Edges
No matter how you plan to finish your Knitweave pieces, here is one little tip to maintain the stitch pattern to the edges AND create a seaming stitch for a neat edge
Knitweave doesn't have to be stiff and thick
This sideways knit cardigan was made with a soft bamboo yarn and a coordinating novelty yarn in a knitweave pattern. Reverse Stockinette stitch bands accent the flattering vertical lines of the stitch pattern.
The yarn choices are THE secret to the success of this fluid, drapey garment.
Not what you might think of when considering Knitweave.
The yarn choices are THE secret to the success of this fluid, drapey garment.
Not what you might think of when considering Knitweave.
Walker / Wheelchair Pouch
Walker bags are used by those whose balance requires a walker for safety, but need extra carrying room for their knitting, books, etc.
This clever bag ties onto the bar of the walker, or can be adapted for use anywhere you need additional pockets to carry things as you move around.
Butterfly Bolster Pillow
Create long knitweave floats and trim them to resemble butterflies.
This one-piece pillow can add a decorative touch to any room.
Prefer a more structured bolster pillow cover style? Check out a 3 piece version.
This one-piece pillow can add a decorative touch to any room.
Prefer a more structured bolster pillow cover style? Check out a 3 piece version.
Bolster Pillow (One-Piece)
Purchase This Pattern
With the purchase of this pattern you will be able to generate this pattern 3 times in your own specified yarn gauges.
This pattern is FREE with a yearly subscription to Knit It Now
Weaving Cast On
This closed cast on is FAST! It isn't appropriate to start a garment piece, but it is perfect for swatching and getting started with scrap and ravel.
Even if your machine doesn't have weaving brushes, you can work this cast on. Add this one to your bag of tricks! You'll be glad you did!
Even if your machine doesn't have weaving brushes, you can work this cast on. Add this one to your bag of tricks! You'll be glad you did!
Weaving Cast on
Weaving Cast on WITHOUT Brushes
Marker Row
Weaving a contrast yarn is a great way to create a marker row.
Watch the weaving option in this video for marker rows
Watch the weaving option in this video for marker rows
Knitweave Fun!
Knitweave can be used for so many things! Sweaters, coats, tote bags, placemats, bookmarks!
Use that "fancy" yarn and create something special!
In this Replay, watch as fellow knitters share ideas and tips about this often-overlooked technique
Use that "fancy" yarn and create something special!
In this Replay, watch as fellow knitters share ideas and tips about this often-overlooked technique
Weekly LIVE shows and replays are available for Subscribers only.
Links mentioned in the Show
NEW! Classrooms - www.knititnow.com/classroomsKnitweave Classroom
Checklist:
- Use 2 yarns - Weaving yarn can be novelty or heavier than normal
- Knit at a looser tension 1-2 numbers looser
- Select patterning needles either automatic or manually
- Do not engage patterning buttons or levers
- Engage weaving brushes (if available) If not - manually wrap weaving yarn
- Neat edges for seaming: Wrap 2nd needle from the edge with the weaving yarn - leaving a plain seaming stitch
- Always position the weaving yarn AHEAD of the working yarn (transfer from side to side)
- Try different combinations of stitch patterns: Lace and weaving - Needles out work
- Get creative and enjoy!
Previous show replays