How to Create Your Own Knitting Machine Transfer Tools

You can make your own knitting machine transfer tools from everyday items found in junk drawers. These homemade tools may not be as efficient or reliable as brand specific knitting machine tools but they can get the job done in a pinch. Transfer tools are handles with one or more prongs. These prongs can have either a latch hook end or a large rounded eye like a darning needle. They are used to lift and transfer yarn loops off knitting machine hooks or needles. The latch hook type is not worth making yourself as these tools are easily and inexpensively found in any craft store. However, you can make the eyed prong transfer tools from specific items you might find around the house.

Things You'll Need

• Large Darning Needle
• Large Rectangular Gum Eraser
• Super Glue

Instructions

1. Find the largest darning needle you can, making sure the hooks or needles of the knitting machine can pass through the darning needle's eye.

2. Push the sharp end of the darning needle into the middle of the eraser's smallest end, penetrating about ¾ of the eraser's length. Do not let the needle pass out of the eraser's end.

3. Pull the needle back out of the eraser. Modestly coat the needle with super glue and reinsert it into the eraser.

4. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly before using the transfer tool with the knitting machine.

Tips & Warnings

• A multiple tip prong transfer tool can be fashioned as the single tip was described. However, the second and third darning needles should be positioned to match the width between the hooks or needles of the knitting machine.

References

• "Owner's Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers, and Knitting Machines"; Gale Grigg Hazen

Resources

• The Knitting Closet: Knitting Machine Needle Transfer Tools