How to Change Hand-Knitting to Machine Knitting

Knitting patterns can be used on a machine if they are simplistic and a beginner's level.

Machine knitting can be a bit daunting when you first try it: the stitches are on little metal keys, the knitting faces backwards, learning how to cast on stitches and dealing with cast on combs and weights definitely has a learning curve attached. The upside is that any hand knitting pattern requires almost no adjustments when placed on a knitting machine. It is best when starting out to stick with simple patterns--stockinette--until you learn the ins and outs of working a knitting machine. Start with a pattern that does not have any cables, short rows or special decreases involved to learn how your machine works.

Things You'll Need

• Yarn (center pull--not skeins)
• Knitting machine
• Pattern
• Cast-on comb
• Latch tool
• Crochet hook

Instructions

1. Make sure your yarn is in center-pull skeins. Regular store bought skeins will not accommodate the speed of a knitting machine and will tangle. Have your yarn wound into a center pull skein at your local yarn shop or invest in a yarn winder.

2. Cast on the number of stitches that are required by your pattern. If you are starting with ribbing (such as a sleeve cuff on a sweater), skip every other stitch pushing only the knit stitches forward. This will make ladders -- much like a dropped stitch does in hand knitting -- that you will knit up later to make your purl stitches.

3. Push the knitting machine's carriage back and forth across until you reach the desired number of rows to complete your ribbing. Take your latch tool or crochet hook and knit up the ladders that represent the purl stitches. This will show as a knit stitch. On a knitting machine the knitting faces away from you as it comes off the machine, so you are looking at the back. Latch or crochet the stitch all the way up the column and place on the corresponding key at the top of the row. It will now become a knit stitch.

4. Knit the pattern as you normally would, making increases and decreases on the outside as the pattern instructs. To decrease, take one stitch off the end of the row with your crochet hook, place it on the next stitch and push the key back so it will not make another stitch when the carriage passes again. They will knit together automatically when you pass the carriage again. For increases, slide out the number of keys you need on either end.

5. Cast off your knitting by passing the carriage over the knitting without any yarn through the carriage. If you wish, bind off by leaving it on the machine. Pull a length of yarn three times the width of your knitting and thread into a yarn needle. Bind off by putting the needle through the first loop then the second and then back through the first. Pull taught. Go into the third stitch, and back into the second stitch. Repeat down the row.

6. Take the yarn out of the carriage and push it across your knitting being sure to hold it from below to keep it from dropping too quickly. Your yarn will come off quickly and neatly. Continue knitting pieces of your pattern until you can assemble the sweater together.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not be discouraged if your first time on a knitting machine does not go well. Just like hand knitting, it takes some adjustment. Later you can add more complicated techniques like machine knitting cables and various patterns and even short rows.

• Look at your knitting as you work to make sure you do not have any dropped stitches. As fast as machine knitting goes, it is important to keep an eye on the fabric as it descends from the machine.

References

• Knit Tree: Knitting History from Hand to Machine
• Bella Online: Knitting Machine Patterns
• Knitting Factory: Converting Knitting from Hand to Machine
• KnitSings.com: Knitting Machine Software and Converting Patterns

Resources

• Bond America: Using Hand Patterns on the Incredible Sweater Machine
• You Tube: Bond America's Machine Knitting Tutorial