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Technical diagram showing a punchcard pattern overlaid with needle position illustrations, demonstrating how the same hole pattern creates different stitch effects based on carriage settings for tuck, slip, and fairisle knitting
Machine Knitting Tips
eyelets hand knitting knit 2 together lace needles out of work punchcard stitch patterns

Punchcards for specialty stitches

How do I punch a card for specialty stitches (k2tog, PSSO, yo)?

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Detailed view of machine-knitted lace swatches demonstrating different techniques and designs
Machine Knitting Techniques
lace lace carriage

8 Ways to Knit Lace on a Knitting Machine

You don't need a lace carriage or laboriously hand transfer stitches to knit lace on a knitting machine.

No matter what machine you have, as a machine knitter there are many ways of adding holes to our knitting and creating light, open, "lacy" fabrics.

Have you used other methods of creating lace? Comment below and share your experiences.

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Close-up of a new knitting machine spongebar showing intact, firm foam material that properly maintains needle positions during knitting
Machine Knitting Tips
sponge bar troubleshooting

Check your Spongebar

If you haven't changed your sponge bar "in a while", it's probably time!
If your machine is mis-patterning or just "acting up" a flat spongebar could be the cause.

No matter how often your machine is used, the sponge deteriorates in time.

Check your spongebar!

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Machine-knitted gauge swatch with contrast marking rows and hanging markers , demonstrating a math-free method for matching specific gauge requirements using a 4-inch measurement tool
Machine Knitting Tips
gauge

Match Your Target Gauge Without Math: The 4-Inch Square Technique

Tired of counting stitches and doing gauge math? Discover a simpler way to match your target gauge exactly. Instead of counting traditional stitch and row numbers, learn how to create a swatch that measures your desired gauge directly using a 4-inch square tool. Perfect for converting hand knitting patterns to machine knitting or any project where precise gauge matters. This no-math method takes the guesswork out of gauge matching and helps you achieve perfect results every time.

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An example of machine-knitted thread lace fabric showing the delicate openwork effect created by combining a fine thread with thicker yarn, demonstrating how this technique mimics traditional lace patterns
Machine Knitting Techniques
lace stitch patterns Thread Lace

Thread lace vs

Often overlooked, Thread Lace is an easy technique to create openwork "lace" fabrics with a knitting machine.

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Decorative banner featuring colorful machine-knitted fabric as background with text overlay reading 'Success with your knitting', showcasing vibrant stitch textures and patterns
Machine Knitting Tips
tip

11 Steps for Success with Your Knitting

11 steps for success with your knitting. No matter where you are on your machine knitting journey, check to make sure you are taking the right steps from start to finish.
Number 9 may surprise you.

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Calculator resting on knitting patterns, symbolizing the mathematical calculations often needed in machine knitting projects
Machine Knitting Tips
machine knitting tip

Too much math

"Machine knitting is not for me ... there's too much MATH". Hand or machine, there are times when we need to drag out a calculator, but Knit it Now offers solutions that make this easier. Explore 8 times math is used for your knitting and how you can avoid the pain.

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Child demonstrating why proper neck opening size matters in children's knitwear
Knitwear Design
garment shaping neck shaping

Kids Heads are Big!

When knitting pullover sweaters for babies and kids, it's important to make sure the neck opening will fit over the head.

Looking at sizing charts, 3 month heads are 15". Neck openings are 4.5". Yes, knitting stretches, but leaving one shoulder open is the answer.

Make it easier for Mom and baby - leave a shoulder open and add a designer element!

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Close-up of a machine-knitted European shoulder showing the distinctive angled seam placement
Knitwear Design
garment style shoulder seams

European Shoulder

A European Shoulder style sweater has shoulder seam shifted towards the back, so the seam is not at the top of the shoulder.

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Side-by-side comparison of machine knitting cast on samples showing the visual difference between open cast on edges (with visible loops) and closed cast on edges (with a finished hem-like appearance)
Machine Knitting Techniques
cast on finished edge techniques

Open Cast on vs Closed Cast on

There are many ways of getting your knitting started. Each method has it's uses, and falls in 2 categories; Open cast on and Closed cast on. Being familiar with multiple cast on methods is essential for all machine knitters.

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Machine knitted color block pattern using intarsia technique, showing three colors joined without carrying yarn across back
Machine Knitting Techniques
color work Intarsia machine knitting stitch patterns

Intarsia on the Machine

Intarsia (picture knitting) is a technique that allows color changes in the middle of the row without having floats across the back of the knitting

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Full-length view of a knitting machine's needlebed showing the fixed number of needles available, illustrating the width limitations machine knitters face when creating larger pieces
Machine Knitting Tips
needles tip tuck

Not Enough Needles

Whether you are knitting a blanket or a sweater, you probably have discovered the fact that our knitting machines have a limited number of needles to work with. This means we can only knit pieces that are a limited size.

Unlike hand knitting, we can't use a longer cable needle and add more stitches. We have to get creative to knit larger pieces on the machine.

Let's explore some options for the "not enough needles" dilemma.

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