Machine Knit Guild of the San Francisco Bay Area
Sharing our enthusiasm about the art of machine knitting.
knitting machine
Welcome to the world of knitting machines.
Using a knitting machine it is possible to do almost everything a knitter can do by hand, and do it several times faster. The motions required are different from hand knitting, and so do not stress the hands in the same way. Most machine knitters are also hand knitters, and often combine the two skills in one garment.
Knitting machines come in four different sizes, depending on what size yarn you wish to knit. They are relatively similar, but have different size needles. The yarn is fed into the machine by hand in the simplest machines, and by a mast in most other machines. Either method is relatively simple to operate.
The above is a typical bulky gauge knitting machine. It can knit most bulky yarns.
The main parts are a bed of needles which slide in and out to knit one stitch per needle as the carriage slides over them, the carriage which makes the needles go in and out and deposits the yarn in the hook end of the needle, and the mast, which helps feed the yarn into the carriage.
The fabric grows downward from the group of knitting needles which are pulled forward into knitting position. The knitter can move stitches from one needle to another, thus decreasing or increasing the width of the fabric. By moving stitches by hand it is possible to make holes, lace, and even cables.
More complicated machines come with the ability to tell the machine to push needles forward to different positions, and knit patterns with two colors, The punch card machine tells the needles to move by mechanical commands delivered by a combination of holes and spaces in a punched card. Electronic machines tell the needles to move by electronic commands which are programmed into the machine.
Knitting machines come in a case that is about 4 feet long, 10 inches wide and 2 inches deep. Most people can conveniently store them under their beds when they are not in use. They can be attached to a simple table or even an ironing board.
The build members all enjoy sharing their knowledge of this wonderful craft. Please join us at a meeting or give us a call if you are thinking about becoming a machine knitter.