The tension mast on our knitting machines controls the flow of yarn to the needles. If 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.

1Thread the tensioner


Place the yarn between the disks that control the tension. Be sure to slip the yarn UNDER the peg between the disks. On the LK-150, the peg is plastic. On other machines, the peg is metal. It keeps the yarn engaged between the disks and controls the tension to the needles as your fingers control the tension when hand knitting.

2Machine-specific
Check your manual for the correct sequence of threading for YOUR machine

Most Brother/Knit-King masts thread like this
Some Silver/Singer masts are a bit different.


3 Helpful Tip


Sometimes textured or fuzzy yarn can get caught in the "loop" of the Take-Up Spring .
To prevent problems, thread the yarn through a curtain ring or plastic stitch marker inserted in the metal loop.

4Thread the Carriage

When threading the knitting carriage, care must be taken to ensure the yarn flows smoothly.
  • Every time you thread the carriage, use 2 hands (top and bottom) and wiggle the yarn to make sure it's not hung up.
  • If your carriage has a Gate , be sure it's closed and the yarn flows smoothly by wiggling



"Wiggle the yarn to make sure it isn't hung up

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2 COMMENTS
Marguerite B
 Oct 5, 2022
Very helpful


Tina B
 Oct 4, 2022
I had to check the brother manual 3 times, to understand that the antennas really SHOULD move freely, because i was used to my silver reeds, ??????