by mops Moderator 09 Mar 2018

Two of the white cones of machine knitting yarn were used to do some knitting and stash reducing. As the threads were rather thin I decided to get my knitting machine out of the moth balls. So I did some (read: a lot of) cleaning and oiling, set the machine up and discovered I had forgotten a thing or two, or more to be honest. And I found a set of garters bars I had never used. So I watched a number of Craftsy courses last weekend when it happened they could all be watched free. It seemed so simple but with two threads combined it turned out I was a bit clumsy. So I used the machine for all parts up to the armholes, then used a large circular needle and did the top. I liked the seamless result, so that could be my excuse.

Doing it all by hand would have been much faster, even on 2.5 mm needles.
As you can see there's a lot of yarn left, those cones are bigger than they seem in the picture. I have 995 gr left to be precise, and the garment weighs 97 gr. So I could do another 10 in this size. Boy, would that be boring! Anyway, I can practice and perfect my machine knitting. I might even attach the ribber and practice that again.

I crocheted a small square (corner to corner) and tried out mixing in embroidery thread for some colour. You can just about see it in the right hand corner. This was the usual 40wt and the result is very subtle. I have a 1000m come of 30wt green and I think I might give that a try as well.

And as I have 3 other cones of white I consider dying my swatch to see if that works.

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by dailylaundry 11 Mar 2018

Your talents never end!! Beautiful work! Just knowing how to run a knitting machine is clever enough!!

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by mops Moderator 11 Mar 2018

Hi Toogie, at the moment I'm only using the 'single bed', once I gather courage I'll add the ribber (which enables ribbing, brioche stitch, double knitting, etc.) I'll take pictures of the whole set-up. But your daughter's right, google helps. And here's a picture I got searching the web. Ribber at front, standard piece horizontal.

2 comments
toogie by toogie 11 Mar 2018

I have never seen this, I guess because where we live compared to other places, we don't have the below freezing temps that much. People here just never got into knitting much. I will try to see one 'in action' on you tube. I'll get back to you if I find something. Thanks for showing me/us as this is foreign to me.

toogie by toogie 11 Mar 2018

I went to you tube and typed in knitting machine sample and watched Lena Green a 9 min video. This is fascinating!

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by toogie 09 Mar 2018

Martine, you always produce such nice work, by hand or machine. I would love if you would post a photo of you with the machine you speak of. I don't believe I have ever seen one, but I suppose I could 'google' it. My kids always remind me, just google mom.-lol-Still I would like to see yours.

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by vickiannette 09 Mar 2018

I have never been a knitter but this year am trying a bit of Brioche knitting. It seems knitting is back in fashion. Love your items Martine.

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by parkermom 09 Mar 2018

Beautiful work

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by jrob Moderator 09 Mar 2018

That is so lovely. Martine, why don't you make yourself a sweater coat that comes to your ankles, then you will only have to make 8 more sweaters.

1 comment
mops by mops 11 Mar 2018

lol! I'd run out of thread in no time if I do that. not so much in length, unfortunately. But in white, for me, that would be a huge mistake! Muddy brown might work.

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by gerryvb 09 Mar 2018

great result !!
In the past I had an old knitting machine too, bought it second hand ( or third hand....) I used it often for the children, so my HB told me too buy a new one. The old one I had given away.
Something I always have regret. The new one....I could not handle the new one, it was hopeless I sold it. And often thought: why I did I listen to my HB to have a new one, okay there were more options to make different patterns but...... the older was much nicer to work with.
I never had one since. But I love what you did !

1 comment
mops by mops 09 Mar 2018

Yes, new is not always nicer. I kept it as you could not sell it for years. Now I am glad I kept it. Number two is progressing faster and without hiccups (touch wood!).

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by kustomkuddle 09 Mar 2018

Very nice. I am in awe of anyone who can knit needles or machine. I can crochet but not knit. Love the hint of color

1 comment
mops by mops 09 Mar 2018

Thanks. I love crochet too.

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by crafter2243 Moderator 09 Mar 2018

Oh my goodness. Since I moved 9 years ago I did not set up my machine. I think I lost interest when Brother no longer sold them. Now I wonder if one can even get parts for it. I am sure I would have to re-learn a lot. Good for you to have given your machine a new life. You want some cone yarn? Ha, ha. I have been hand knitting with it by using numerous strands together. Between my fabric stash and lots of yarn I need a few more life times to use it up. One thing is for sure. Boredom will not happen.

1 comment
mops by mops 09 Mar 2018

You can still get spare parts. And there seems to be a Brother look-alike on the market whose parts are interchangeable.
I have a Toyota that went out years ago, but I found a dealer in the Netherlands that has parts from old machines so I bought some spare needles.
As for multiple life times - that would be a solution for me too.

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by elemausi 09 Mar 2018

Nice to hear, you have a knitting machine too. Mine is sitting in the corner too since years. May be, I could use it to reduce my stash too, but first I will reduce my fabric stash .-)
Lovely work you have done.

1 comment
mops by mops 09 Mar 2018

My fabric stash needs some attention too, I think I will take turns - couple of sweaters, couple (?) of quilts.

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by Kampfzwerg 09 Mar 2018

Oh goodness gracious!
Ten days ago we had frost und strong winds and my hubby wanted a scarf, for the first time in 40 years mind you, because he wanted to go out for a walk. So I got out my machine and the KG 95 carriage, but could not find the manual. It took me half a day to get everything running. I took a few differend yarns and a few swatches from other projects so he could choose what he wanted.
I have not used my machine for the past seven years, but there is a chance to reduce my stash. My doughter wants a simple sweater.
Hugs

1 comment
mops by mops 09 Mar 2018

I am glad I'm not the only one who needs half a day to get things running again! I think a simple sweater is just the thing to get us going again.

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by dragonflyer 09 Mar 2018

Lovely...and quite the tale about how it all came about too!

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by pennifold 09 Mar 2018

These are all fantastic and you are so very clever Martine, I am in awe of anyone who can use a knitting machine. Love Chris

1 comment
mops by mops 09 Mar 2018

It is not that difficult to learn, you just have to focus - which I did not too well at first. I thought it would come back automatically, like swimming, but I got into the rhythm again - eventually. I should have practised using that garter bar on a swatch before embarking on the real thing.

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by spendlove Moderator 09 Mar 2018

Great results!
I often wish I'd kept my knitting machines, but they were pretty well worn out. I still have quite a bit of yarn......

2 comments
graceandham by graceandham 09 Mar 2018

Martine, remember this when your stash runs low...

mops by mops 09 Mar 2018

LOL.
I have too, but the gift of 3 banana boxes filled with those very fine ones got me nervous. I don't even have a cupboard to store them in so as soon as I entered the spare bedroom I hear them calling my name.

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