An Introduction to Machine Knitting

An Introduction to Machine Knitting

Hosted by Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch

Taught by Elizabeth Taylor of SpottedCircus Alpacas and Llama http://www.facebook.com/spottedcircus

Have you ever wanted to be able to offer items made from your alpaca yarn but yet don’t know how to knit or have the time?  Have you wanted to be able to offer customized knitted things that pertain to local sports teams in your area?  Sweater in a weekend? No problem!

Machine knitting may be for you.  These vintage machines allow you to create customizable goods that can help you create a true farm to finished good product.  This class will cover everything you need to know to get started with machine knitting and what to look for in a machine.

Day 1: 8am to 5pm

Diffrent types & brands of Machines

How to evaluate one for sale/cleaning

Parts of the Machine & what they do

Casting on

Binding off

Doing a sampler: Tuck, Slip, Fair Isle, Lace knitting (possilbly weave knitting & plaiting)

Doing a Gauge Swatch

Knitting a Basic Hat

Day 2: 8am to 5pm

Advanced Techniques

Short Rows to make ear flaps or heels

Using a ribber

Double Bed Jaquard & Simulknit (creating double sided fabric)

Designing your own pattern

Adapating hand knitting patterns

If students already have a machine to use, they should let Elizabeth know what brand & model they have

Machines should have a brand new sponge bar, the yarn mast, cast on comb, double eye transfer tool, a sewing needle, any punch cards, a latch hook tool, clamps, copy of the manual . Basically any parts that the manual shows it should have.

**Every student should bring at least 2 colors of a fingering weight yarn 400 yards each color & ideally 2 colors of  practice acrylic ( Tamm 3plyor astracryl works really well)

2 students will be working on bulky machines likley so we will use their yarns held double  or red heart yarn works really well.

A good source of tools & practice acrylic can be found on etsy  or www.knitknackshop.com

Machines availalbe for use will be :

Punchcard: Brother 890, Toyota 901 x 2, Bulky Brother 260

Electric: Brother 930 & 970

This is a paid event and spaces are limited!  Lunch will be provided both days.