Knitting Machine Tricks & Tips
A knitting machine is not as intimidating as one may think. For novice hobbyists trying out their new equipment, here are a few tricks and tips that can help you save time when creating exquisite machine-knitted pieces.
To keep your buttons from falling off machine knitted garments, use a dental floss or fishing line instead of thread to fasten them to your garments. Conceal the line or floss by knitting yarn over it. Fishing line and dental floss are also great for making ravel cords.
Pins tend to get in the way when you are running a garment through the knitting machine. When working with zippers, set them in place using fabric glue instead of pins. Whenevr the glue dries out completely, you may sew the zipper on the fabric smoothly. Before applying glue, treat the fabric with anti-shrinking chemical to maintain its form during washing.
Fairisle refers to a stitch of two yarn colors knitted on a single row. Most knitting machines can do single fairisle stitches, with slip stitch options to accommodate three to four more colors. On the other hand, Intarsia lets you knit as many colors as you want on the same row as long as you use the right needles.
To make fancy picot edging on a knitting machine, pull out alternate needles to the farthest position. Apply an e-wrap cast. Place machine knitting carriage to the right and knit 10 rows. Place carriage again on the right while pulling in the needles you did not use earlier and knit 12 rows. Pick up the hem and hang it on every needle.
Don’t measure your garment against a tension square that you did not knit yourself on your knitting machine. You must knit the test swatch square of every machine knitted garment you will create.
A bleach test can help you determine if your yarn is synthetic or naturally made from animal or plant. If you dip a length of yarn in bleach, animal yarn will form bubbles and melt in less than one hour. If the yarn does not melt but fades to white, it is made from plant fiber. Synthetic yarns are capable of resisting bleach.
When working with custom patterns, you don’t want to make a wrong estimation and end up with so much leftover yarn. Do a trial run of 100 stitches (width) and 100 rows on your knitting machine using the same yarn and stitch you will be using for your project.
Organize your swatches according to yarn type, needle size, and washing instructions. Store them neatly in your machine knitting work area for future reference.
I hope you have found these knitting machine tricks and tips useful for your own knitting!
About The Author:
Emily Watson loves knitting of any kind and in particular machine knitting. She regularly writes articles about knitting, machine knitting and how to make money from knitting or crochet.
Emily started a comprehensive blog on the topic of machine knitting because she was asked so many questions about machine knitting and what is the best knitting machine to use. Visit her blog www.machineknittingadvice.comwhere you will find her advice, ideas and reviews on knitting machines.
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Knitting Machine Tricks %26 Tips
Useful Tips When Buying A Sewing Machine
It is a good thing that sewing machines were invented. Could you imagine the length of time it would take to make a shirt or a blanket without one? If you are planning to buy one, here are a few tips you should know.
The first thing you have to do is check what is available. This can only happen once you go to the store. When you walk in, don’t be pressured into buying anything. Get the prices and then ask a friend or a family member what they think especially if they have one of them at home. Their experiences with these machines are useful when making a decision.
Romina Abrigo Editor of the “Sewing Machine Reviews” website — http://www.SewingMachineReviews.me — pointed out;
“…When you have narrowed down your choices, the best way to decide which one is right for you is by testing it. You should probably bring some fabric which you are planning to use, sit down on the machine then run a straight stitch…” Added Romina Abrigo
If you are a quilter, make sure that the machine is able to do a straight stitch. For those that do other kinds of sewing, you can test the machine by making button holes or edging.
You can probably get a general feel of the sewing machine after a few minutes. Don’t forget to play around with the knobs and switches then do the same thing with the rest.
Aside from fabric, another thing to consider is the kind of thread you will be using. There are thin and thick ones. It would be nice to have a spool holder to make sure it stays in place which is much better than the kind that has an adapter which feeds the thread to the machine.
This is because a top of the line machine can handle just about anything except upholstery. On the other hand, the regular machine could be damaged when you are working with heavier fabric. The best thing to do then is to get a mid-range model. With it, you can do both without having to worry if the machine can handle the job.
You will then be able to make all sorts of things and even add some decor so you will just buy the fabric and still be in touch with the trends on the market.
“…Lastly, don’t forget to check if it is has a warranty and for how long. This will allow you to return it and get a refund if you aren’t happy with it so you can look again for a better model…” Added Romina Abrigo
Further information, resources and reviews of the best sewing machines by clicking: http://www.SewingMachineReviews.me
Hector Milla runs his corporate website at http://www.OpsRegs.com where you can see all his articles and press releases.
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