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Welcome to the Help Hub.

The Help Hub is where you’ll find focused help for common machine knitting problems, questions, and next steps. Browse the fixes below to find the one that matches what you need.

New in the Help Hub

Can I maintain my knitting machine myself? What if there’s no repair person near me?

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A few basic care habits can help you feel more confident about owning and using your machine.

You can learn routine care, including cleaning, lubrication, (see your manual) and checking needles and the sponge bar where applicable. If you need professional help, start with our Knitting Machine Repair Contacts and Services directory.

How Regular Care Helps

Removing lint and following your manual’s lubrication instructions helps keep the machine running smoothly. Worn needles or a deteriorated retaining sponge can affect how it knits. Regular care helps reduce problems, although wear, damage, and mechanical or electronic faults may still require repair.

Try This

  • Check your machine’s manual for cleaning and lubrication instructions.
  • Remove lint and yarn debris from accessible areas, and protect the machine from dust and moisture.
  • Check needle condition and the sponge bar or retaining system used by your model.
  • If the carriage becomes difficult to move, stop rather than forcing it. Check threading, settings, yarn suitability, and needle and sponge condition where applicable.
  • For persistent problems or visible damage, contact a repair provider. Confirm that they service your model, offer remote help or accept shipped machines, and have availability.
  • Before shipping, ask the provider what to send and how to pack it.

Use our directory to find providers to contact about your machine. Repair list

Helpful Resource

Knitting Machine Repair Contacts and Services

Find Repair Help
I’m knitting over every other needle. How do I swatch?

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Whether you’re using thicker yarn or creating an open, airy fabric, gauge is measured from the finished stitches, not the needles used.

Count stitches, not needles. Knit a generous swatch, let it rest overnight, block it as you’ll treat the finished project, then measure the actual stitches and rows.
knitting worked on every other needle of a knitting machine

Working every other needle gives stitches more room and can create either a heavier fabric or a light, open fabric, depending on the yarn and tension.

Why This Works

Knitting on every other needle changes the spacing between the stitches, but it does not change how you measure gauge. You might use every other needle to give thicker yarn more room or to create a lighter, more open fabric. If your swatch contains 50 stitches, count all 50 stitches, even though they are spread across every other needle. Once the fabric is off the machine, rested, and blocked, measure the marked stitches and rows in the finished fabric.

Try This

  • Bring 50 needles to work in an every-other-needle arrangement. This creates 50 stitches spread across 100 needle positions.
  • Knit several rows before beginning the section you will measure.
  • Place markers around a specific number of stitches and rows in the center of the swatch, away from the edges.
  • Knit several more rows after the marked section, then remove the swatch from the machine.
  • Let the swatch rest, then wash or block it exactly as you will treat the finished project.
  • Measure the width between the side markers and the height between the row markers.
  • Enter the marked stitches, marked rows, measured width, and measured height into the Knit It Now Gauge Calculator.
  • Click Calculate Gauge and let the calculator do the math.
Gauge swatch marked to measure stitches across and rows vertically

Measure the width and height between the markers, then enter those measurements in the Gauge Calculator.

Make sure the yarn fits comfortably in the needle hooks and that there is enough room between the working needles for the stitches to form properly.

Calculate Your Gauge

Member Lesson

Go deeper with step-by-step guidance.

  • Every other Needle Knitting

    Often knitters will use every other needle to knit a heavier yarn on a standard gauge machine. Learn the why and how of this technique

Edges, Finishing & Assembly
How do I shape a neckline without losing my lace or tuck pattern?

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Stop fighting with complex stitches and start shaping like a pro.

All Machines
Forget hand-manipulation. Use Cut 'n Sew to secure your knitting with a sewing machine and cut the shape you need.

Why This Works

Shaping while knitting complex patterns like lace or Fair Isle is a recipe for dropped stitches and frustration. The Cut 'n Sew method lets you knit 'yardage' first, focusing entirely on your stitch pattern. Then, you use a sewing machine to secure the stitches and cut the exact shape you need. It’s the ultimate shortcut for perfect necklines and armholes.

Try This

  • Use an unneeded swatch and draw a curve on it with a pen
  • If desired, mark a neckline shape. Use a KIN neckline template to guide your shaping →
  • Sew along the marked line with a sewing machine or serger
  • Take a deep breath and cut 1/4–3/8 inch from the stitching line with a sharp pair of scissors
  • Observe the stability of the cut edge

Member Lesson

Go deeper with step-by-step guidance.

  • Use Stabilizer for Clean, Confident Cut ’n Sew Edges

    Cutting into your knitting doesn’t have to feel risky. In this lesson, you’ll see how a wash-away stabilizer gives you more control when cutting and finishing necklines—especially on stretchy or unstable fabrics.
    The result is smoother curves, less distortion, and a more professional finish.
    Explore:
    • Why knit fabric can stretch or ripple during cut ’n sew
    • How stabilizer improves control when serging or stitching
    • The difference between stabilizer vs no stabilizer
    • Where to place the stabilizer for best results
How do I create a clean, professional band finish for my neckline?

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Give your necklines a boutique-quality finish that looks great on both sides.

All Machines
Encase the raw edge between two knitted layers for a clean, reversible finish - perfect for cut 'n sew.

About This Finish

This sandwich band finish (also known as an industrial band) creates a clean, professional edge by enclosing the stitches between two knitted layers. The result is smooth, polished, and looks beautiful on both sides.
It works whether you’re finishing a cut edge or a shaped edge - the goal is the same: completely hide the edge for a refined, finished look.
The secret to a professional result is graded tension - knitting the band slightly tighter at curves so it hugs the neckline without ruffling or flipping.

Try This

Knit a sandwich band

  • Knit the first half of the band
  • Hang the neckline edge onto the needles
  • Knit the second half of the band
  • Join the bands to enclose the edge

Member Lesson

Go deeper with step-by-step guidance.

  • Finish a Clean Neckband

    Learn how to finish a clean, professional neckband after shaping or cutting your knitting.

Pattern & Design
I don’t have enough needles for this - now what?

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You can still knit the project you want - even with fewer needles.

All Machines
Adjust your yarn, stitch pattern, or construction method to create the required width without needing more needles

What's this about

Your machine width is fixed by needle count, but knitting width changes with gauge, yarn, and stitch pattern. Use the Maximum Knitted Width tool to see how wide you can knit with your gauge on your machine.

Try This

  • Quick Action Steps
  • Check your gauge and calculate the maximum width your machine can knit
  • Try a different yarn that gives fewer stitches per inch for more width
  • Use a wider stitch pattern like tuck or lace to increase fabric width
  • Split large pieces into multiple sections and seam them together
  • Add seams creatively (center, sides, or underarms) to maintain shaping
  • Consider sideways knitting for larger sizes without adding seams

Member Lesson

Go deeper with step-by-step guidance.

  • Change Your Stitch Pattern to Change Your Width

    Different stitch patterns don’t just use different amounts of yarn - they also knit to different widths. Learn how to use stitch choice to make your project fit your machine (and your yarn).

Gauge & Swatching
I’m knitting over every other needle. How do I swatch?

Open this page

Whether you’re using thicker yarn or creating an open, airy fabric, gauge is measured from the finished stitches, not the needles used.

Count stitches, not needles. Knit a generous swatch, let it rest overnight, block it as you’ll treat the finished project, then measure the actual stitches and rows.
knitting worked on every other needle of a knitting machine

Working every other needle gives stitches more room and can create either a heavier fabric or a light, open fabric, depending on the yarn and tension.

Why This Works

Knitting on every other needle changes the spacing between the stitches, but it does not change how you measure gauge. You might use every other needle to give thicker yarn more room or to create a lighter, more open fabric. If your swatch contains 50 stitches, count all 50 stitches, even though they are spread across every other needle. Once the fabric is off the machine, rested, and blocked, measure the marked stitches and rows in the finished fabric.

Try This

  • Bring 50 needles to work in an every-other-needle arrangement. This creates 50 stitches spread across 100 needle positions.
  • Knit several rows before beginning the section you will measure.
  • Place markers around a specific number of stitches and rows in the center of the swatch, away from the edges.
  • Knit several more rows after the marked section, then remove the swatch from the machine.
  • Let the swatch rest, then wash or block it exactly as you will treat the finished project.
  • Measure the width between the side markers and the height between the row markers.
  • Enter the marked stitches, marked rows, measured width, and measured height into the Knit It Now Gauge Calculator.
  • Click Calculate Gauge and let the calculator do the math.
Gauge swatch marked to measure stitches across and rows vertically

Measure the width and height between the markers, then enter those measurements in the Gauge Calculator.

Make sure the yarn fits comfortably in the needle hooks and that there is enough room between the working needles for the stitches to form properly.

Calculate Your Gauge

Member Lesson

Go deeper with step-by-step guidance.

  • Every other Needle Knitting

    Often knitters will use every other needle to knit a heavier yarn on a standard gauge machine. Learn the why and how of this technique

Machines
Can I maintain my knitting machine myself? What if there’s no repair person near me?

Open this page

A few basic care habits can help you feel more confident about owning and using your machine.

You can learn routine care, including cleaning, lubrication, (see your manual) and checking needles and the sponge bar where applicable. If you need professional help, start with our Knitting Machine Repair Contacts and Services directory.

How Regular Care Helps

Removing lint and following your manual’s lubrication instructions helps keep the machine running smoothly. Worn needles or a deteriorated retaining sponge can affect how it knits. Regular care helps reduce problems, although wear, damage, and mechanical or electronic faults may still require repair.

Try This

  • Check your machine’s manual for cleaning and lubrication instructions.
  • Remove lint and yarn debris from accessible areas, and protect the machine from dust and moisture.
  • Check needle condition and the sponge bar or retaining system used by your model.
  • If the carriage becomes difficult to move, stop rather than forcing it. Check threading, settings, yarn suitability, and needle and sponge condition where applicable.
  • For persistent problems or visible damage, contact a repair provider. Confirm that they service your model, offer remote help or accept shipped machines, and have availability.
  • Before shipping, ask the provider what to send and how to pack it.

Use our directory to find providers to contact about your machine. Repair list

Helpful Resource

Knitting Machine Repair Contacts and Services

Find Repair Help

LK150
Where can I find patterns for my LK150?

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Stop searching for an LK150 pattern. Start with your gauge.

Any Knit It Now pattern works with any machine. YOUR gauge is what matters.
Silver Reed LK150 kntitting machine

Your Pattern Is Based on Your Gauge, Not Your Machine

You don’t need a pattern written specifically for the LK150 (or your specific machine model). Knit and measure a swatch with your yarn, machine and stitch pattern, then enter your actual stitch and row gauge. Knit It Now uses your gauge to create the pattern instructions for you. The same Knit It Now pattern can be used with any knitting machine.

Try This

  • Choose any Knit It Now pattern.
  • Knit a "PROPER" watch with your yarn on your machine.
  • Measure your gauge
  • Build your custom pattern with your stitch and row gauge.
  • Knit the pattern using your customized instructions.

Your Knit It Now pattern is created from your stitch and row gauge, not your machine model.

Even two knitters using the same machine and yarn may get different gauges. Always use your own swatch measurements.

How do I knit tuck stitch on my LK150?

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This is a simple technique that opens up many of texture options

Works for: LK150

Use Russell levers and manual needle selection to hold stitches, build loops, and knit them off to create tuck texture
Tuck stitch (pull up) technique on the LK150 knitting machine

About Tuck Stitch on the LK150

Tuck stitch on the LK150 is created by holding selected needles while the yarn floats OVER them. After a few passes, those loops are knit off to create texture. Since the LK150 has no punchcards or electronics, you control the stitch pattern entirely by which needles you select and how you use the Russell levers.
Browse the tuck stitch library: LK150-friendly tuck stitches.

Try This

  • Cast on 30 stitches and knit a few rows
  • Pull needles to D position according to the punchcard
  • Set both Russell levers to II
  • Knit 4 rows to build loops
  • Return both levers to I and knit 2 rows to release loops
  • Repeat this sequence a few times
  • Knit a few rows and bind off
example tuck stitch punchcard

Example punchcard White squares (no holes) will tuck ("D" position) Holes will knit Symbols will tuck ("D" position)

👉 Do not tuck edge stitches. Watch the loops build, then turn your swatch to choose your favorite side.

Member Lesson

Go deeper with step-by-step guidance.

  • Tuck on the LK150

How do I knit Slip Stitch on my LK150?

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Slip stitch is one of the easiest ways to add texture and color without extra yarn or complicated techniques.

Slip stitch works by allowing selected needles to skip knitting. The yarn passes under those needles, creating a float on the purl side of the fabric.
slip stitch on a knitting machine

About Slip Stitch on the LK150

Slip stitch works by allowing selected needles to skip knitting. The yarn passes under those needles, creating a float on the purl side of the fabric. On the purl side, those floats stand out and create texture. On the knit side, the stitches appear elongated, adding subtle visual interest. Slip stitch can be used for simple texture in one color or bold patterning in multiple colors. It works on the LK150 by hand selecting needles.

Browse slip stitch patterns

Try This

  • Cast on 30 stitches and knit a few rows
  • End with carriage on the right
  • Set both Side levers to ● and leave them set for the entire pattern
  • Set both Russell levers to II
  • Pull knit needles to D position according to the stitch chart (needles in work will slip)
  • Knit left
  • Pull the next set of needles according to the stitch chart (needles in work will slip)
  • Knit right
  • Continue following the chart, keeping both Side levers set to ● and both Russell levers set to II
  • Knit a few rows and bind off
slip stitch chart example

Example punchcard Black holes (D) = KNIT White & Symbols slip symbol (B) = SLIP

👉 Needle selection is made on each row.
👉 DO NOT slip edge needles
👉 Needles in work will slip

Member Lesson

Go deeper with step-by-step guidance.

  • Slip on the LK150