Topic: Basics

I-cord (or slip cord) can be used in many ways to embellish your knitting. It can be used as shoulder straps for girls dresses, belts and decorative ties … the
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When working with coned yarn, many knitters are confused by the numbering system. Yarn on cones is often referred to by the yarn count (3/8, 10/2 etc).
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Using a McMorran Yarn Balance (or scale) allows you to identify the yards per pound (ypp) when it is unknown. This tool is available from many sources
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One of the most often asked question is How much yarn do I need? or Do I have enough yarn to knit my sweater? If you are
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Duplicate stitch is an embroidery technique that has many uses in knitting. Embellish a garment Make Repairs Quickly and Easily add
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When you cast on has this ever happened to you? Carriage jams Needles don't move Stitches drop Stitches tuck
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Whether you are a new knitter or using a new machine for the first time, sometimes things happen to thwart your knitting. This is the 2nd in a series of
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Automatic patterning helps us make beautiful textures and fabrics. Sometimes things don't go as planned. This is the 3rd in the Troubleshooting series and
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Mistakes happen. Being comfortable with ripping out rows of knitting is essential for every knitter. How many times have we discovered too many rows
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Machine Needle Pitch refers to the distance between the needles on the needle bed. Explore the different needle pitches and why they are critical to successful
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Who's in charge? You or your machine? Can you knit half the stitches in a row, then return the carriage back to the opposite side of the bed without
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Do you love the look of set in sleeves? Have you been less-than-successful in knitting sweaters with set in sleeves? Here are 3 common reasons
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Do you find yourself struggling with lots of yarn ends when you machine knit? Compared to hand knitting, machine knitting can be a really messy hobby.
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You just ripped out a row of knitting, or put some knitting back on the bed from waste yarn or the garter bar. Perhaps you did a bit of shaping and now your
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There are times when you will be picking up stitches in the knitting below the current row. It's helpful to create a marking row for accuracy. You'd use a
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We machine knit because we want to get done fast! With a little preparation, you can finish even faster! Gather all your tools and supplies BEFORE you get
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Use a hand knitting needle to remove all (or some) needles from the needlebed. Temporarily hold stitches: To reverse knitting (create purl
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Manual Wrap for Short Row Shaping (no sound)

2 "rules" for successful machine knitting. Want garments that fit? Don't ignore this crucial advice

Learn to use short row shaping with AUTOMATIC wrapping to shape toes and heels of socks.

"Place Needles in hold" Huhh??? For new knitters, especially hand knitters, this concept may be foreign. Let's explore the hold position and it's uses. We'll
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It's happened to us all ... the work drops off the machine (always at the worst moment). We drop stitches or knit in a knot. Don't feel alone! Take a
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When you need to scrap off a few stitches, try this tip. It's fast and the scrap is easy to remove.

When working in pattern, keep the edges clean to make seaming and shaping easier. Cancel patterning on the edges with one simple tip.

When working in pattern, keep the edges clean to make seaming and shaping easier. Cancel patterning on the edges with one simple tip.

Transferring stitches between ribber and main bed can be done with a double-eye needle (bodkin).

Knot in your yarn? Don't knit it in! Position it at the edge and neatly secure the tails.

Use the latch tool to reverse individual stitches and form purl stitches. Use to create garter ridges and garter columns

Explore the yarn feeder on a Singer/Silver Machine and learn to thread it correctly.

Thread the yarn mast and tension assembly for smooth, consistent tension for knitting.

Use the latch tool for a quick bind off method that creates a chain edge.

Neat bind off when knitting stitch pattens with needles out of work

Stitch thru stitch bind off that is worked so YOU control the size of the bind off stitches and the tension of the bind off edge. Make it as firm or loose as
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Here's a loose bind off that can be used anywhere you want an extra stretchy edge. Consider using this as bind off for ribbing. Simply transfer the ribber
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Safely remove your knitting from the machine without dropping stitches or binding off. Scrapping off is used whenever you want to leave live, open stitches to
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Many times we are instructed to bind off a few stitches at the beginning of a row. For example, when shaping an armhole. What do you do with the last
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An all-time favorite bind off that allows for control over the stretch of the bind off edge. Even if you love the round-the-gatepeg bind off method. You have to
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Most knitting patterns tell you to bind off stitches at the end of a piece. Beginners will sit with a question mark over their heads? Which bind off method
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Here's a stretchy bind off that you will love! Similar to a hand knitting sewn bind off, it's just as fast as any other bind off method. This technique
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Here's a stretchy bind off for machines that do not have gate pegs (gate posts, sinker posts). Similar to the 'around the gate peg' bind off, it gives the same
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A quick and easy method to start knitting. Useful for swatches and scrap and ravel cast on. Your machine must have weaving brushes. No brushes?
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A cast on rag is very useful when you need to cast on stitches. It can be used in place of scrap yarn in any situation, but it is especially useful when
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A staple for every machine knitter, this cast on will match a stitch through stitch bind off. Good for blankets and scarvesSuggested Video
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A quick and easy basic cast on. A need-to-know for every machine knitter.

The basic e wrap is one of the first cast on methods that most machine knitters learn. It is similar to the thumb cast on that is a hand knitting beginners
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Often patterns will instruct you to work a weaving cast on. This a quick and easy way to get started knitting. If you don't have weaving brushes on
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Some techniques require that you cast on over different needle arrangements. Here are 3 methods of casting over every other needle (or every 5th needle).
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Used on any machine, this is the easiest of all closed cast on methods. Plus it provides instant gathers!

For many stitch patterns, like lace and tuck, having even weight on your work is important. If you combine single bed and double bed stitches in a single
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A new knitter wrote that she was doing something wrong when casting on. Turns out that the technique she used was just plain "ugly" for the edge of her
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Machine knitters often use scrap yarn (waste yarn) to start and end our knitting. Here are some tips and suggestions for including these techniques in your bag
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4 cast on choices for hand manipulated ribbing. From fast 'n easy to a gorgeous tubular cast on, you have options for getting your ribbing started

Use the slip setting on your machine for an extra fast closed cast on. PLUS use the cast on strand to quickly gather the edge ... great for knitting hats from
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When instructed to cast on 2-4 stitches, using a cast on rag really comes in handy. Discover this trick for an easier cast on over a few needles.

There are times when you need to e-wrap cast on from right to left. (or the opposite direction that feels natural to you). This is one skill that you need for
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An open cast on secures the first row of knitting, so the stitches can be picked up by hand or re-hung on the machine. Using scrap yarn and ravel cord is the
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This closed cast on creates a firm, decorative edge. Using scrap and ravel makes the knitting easier.

This closed cast on creates a stretchy, all-purpose edge. Using scrap and ravel makes the knitting easier.

Easy, pretty ribber cast on for 1x1 ribbing. This technique offers an alternate wrapping method for the cast on. Compare the method
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A quick e-wrap cast on without manually wrapping needles.

Automatic e-wrap cast on for Taitexma TH160 machine.

Here's an extra-fast, closed cast on using slip.

3 quick closed cast on methods

Commonly used, cast on method for closed or open cast on

3 popular Closed Cast on Methods

Here's a quick 2 row cast on that is easy to remember

Often recommended, this cast on is loose and sloppy and should be avoided

Add even weight across your knitting by using a ribber cast on comb.
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A super fast cast on for Singer/Silver/Studio machines. Demonstrated on a Silver SK860860

There are many ways to get your knitting started. Compare open cast on and closed cast on methods.

A fast 'n easy cast on for the Brother 260 and similar machines

Here's a closed cast on that is stretchy and nearly invisible, perfect for lace.

Often overlooked, Thread Lace is an easy technique to create openwork "lace" fabrics. Knit with a thick yarn and a very fine yarn, there are lots of
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Demonstrated on the Brother 260 punchcard machine, these steps apply to other Brother models as well. The key is to apply all the steps.

Brother Machines: Preview a stitch pattern by "knitting" without any yarn.The machine will pre-select needles so you can confirm the accuracy and position
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Use the latch tool to reform a column of stitches to purl stitches. This is the basic technique for creating ribbing on a flatbed knitting machine

Knitting intarsia on a manual machine is completely do-able! You don't need an intarsia carriage. It's a matter of taking charge of your carriage and needle
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Knitting in stitch pattern with Brother machines, we can knit both sides of a neckline at the same time. Create a neckline outline as you knit to prepare your
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Shaping garments while working with automatic stitch patterns can be one of the more challenging tasks for a machine knitter. An understanding of YOUR
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Continuing a detailed demonstration of stopping and re-starting stitch patterning.
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Tuck got you stumped? This popular stitch pattern can be worked on any machine. The secret is UNDERSTANDING what is happening with all the settings on
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Knitting stitch multiples Multiple of 5 plus 1, Multiple of 3 plus 2. These indicators on stitch patterns can make or break the finishing on your
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Stockinette, Slip, Tuck, Lace all make beautiful fabrics. Each has it’s own characteristics, but which one uses more yarn? Follow along on our
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Yikes! I ran out of yarn in the middle of a row and dropped part of the row! Dropping stitches is a fact of life for knitters. Any time you are hand
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If a stitch drops, don't panic! Use a single transfer tool to neatly pickup the stitch and re-hang it on the machine.

Prevent dropped stitches and disaster! You've ripped out a row or rehung stitches and now the stitches on the needlebed are behind the latches and not in
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How many times have you tirelessly worked on a technique or a large section of knitting, then had disaster strike and you had to start all over? This
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Here are some time-saving tips that I often use without thinking.

Have you ever struggled with fuzzy yarn getting hung up on the take-up spring of your machine? Here's a quick tip that will make using these yarns easier.

Working with cones of yarn that are slippery present some challenges. The yarn can slip down into a pool on the floor and then catch beneath the
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Need to rip down a few rows? Explore 4 tools to help repair a mistake, pick up stitches and save your knitting.

Do you need to rip? Frog (rip-it, rip-it, rip-it)? Tink (Knit backwards)? Here's a time-saving tip

We all make mistakes ... watch as we recover from some recent boo-boos. Includes tips you can use every day

Even with simple knitting projects like our "Right Angles Blanket", things can go wrong. The secret is to take a deep breath, don't panic and fix it!Watch
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Scrapping off your work before starting a new section or just to preserve a section of your knitting is worth the extra effort. If (when) mistakes happen
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If disaster strikes, it's good to have a lifeline - a row where you've secured your stitches. You can rip back to this row, easily pick up the stitches and
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"Pick up the inside loop of the outside stitch" HUH? When picking up stitches along the side of your knitting, you have choices. Follow along as we
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Something odd happens when you pick up stitches from a cast on edge ... a stitch gets "lost". Explore the reason and solutions

Prepare for those inevitable mistakes. The best MK advice I've been given.Learn more about lifelines and fixing mistakes in the Classroom:
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Essential for the proper formation of the edge stitches of your knitting, be sure to use the edge springs.

Using the information provided by a swatch, follow along as I plan and chart a blanket.
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.my_left { border-left: 6px solid #ccc!important; } Also known as a needle
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When setting up your machine, notice that the tension mast is slightly bent at one end. Explore how to correctly insert the mast in the machine.

A latch tool is essential for machine knitters
It can be used to re-form stitches (knit and purl atitches), binding off and for hand manipulation.

The shadow lace transfer tool was originally designed to create "lace" by transferring stitches between the needlebeds. Most knitter have adopted this tool
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A simple technique for "taming the curl" for edges that won't be seamed. Perfect for Scarves, Shawls and blankets.For more tips for dealing with rolled
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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

Ladders: Put needles out of work to use for your knitting.
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Create crease with a turning row for a doubled band knit in ribbing.

You don't need "special" yarn for machine knitting. Here are the facts.

Learn to compare yarns to find new favorites or to substitute yarn in patterns. Understanding the WPI (Wraps per Inch) and YPP (yards per pound)
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Sometimes a knitted swatch comes off the machine skewed. No amount of blocking or ironing will make it square. This tutorial offers tips for dealing with yarn
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