Guide to buying your first knitting machine
If you are curious about machine knitting and want to know more, or if you are looking to buy your first machine, this class is for you. When it comes to buying your first machine, lots of questions come to mind. Which brand is best? What gauge? What even is gauge? Brand new or second-hand? Let us give you a hand on choosing your first machine.
Free
Beginner
Machine Knitting
If you are a complete beginner, or have packed away your machine for a while, this class is for you. Learn the parts of the machine, how to thread it, and ways to cast on and bind off. You will learn about machine gauges, yarn and yarn sizes and how to choose a good yarn for your machine. Most importantly, how to make a perfect tension swatch, which you will be doing many times down the road.
Patterning
Learn the three primary actions of the latch needle – Knit, Tuck & Miss. We will also cover everything to do with patterning on the main bed of the machine using a punch-card, plus intarsia. Techniques demonstrated include multi-color tuck, fairisle, single motif, punch lace, weave stitch, plating, and more. Here you will continue to make swatches, and explore the different patterns and textures produced using the same punch-card with different stitch structures.
Trouble Shooting
This class is designed to help you when there are (inevitable) mistakes and accidents. Picking up dropped stitches, unraveling rows, rehanging entire pieces, changing a needle and a sponge bar, reviving old yarn and of course, basic maintenance. All are covered in this class.
Shaping &
Transferring Stitches
Let’s lay some foundations in garment making. This class will show you how to shape your fabric to create fully fashioned pieces, commonly used in shaping the neck-line, armholes and sleeves. The concept and history of fashioning will be explored in detail and many ways to shape your pieces will be demonstrated. Besides shaping, transferring stitches from one needle to another offers lots of potential to create more diverse and interesting fabrics
Short Rows
Take a deep dive into the world of short rows (aka Partial Knitting or Holding Stitches). We highly recommend that students take Shaping & Transferring Stitches prior to this class. Although not necessary, Short Rows and Shaping are the foundation of three-dimensional knitting allowing you to create sock-heels, shoulder slopes, and so much more.
Ribber Bed
Essential to rounding out your knowledge of machine knitting - you will learn how to set up your ribber and a few dos and don'ts. All the basic ribs starts are covered plus advice on which one to choose for different applications. Next up - popular tuck and miss stitch based ribs. Cables, racking, double bed jacquard (4 ways!) all addressed. We will also revisit techniques such as plating, shaping, short rows, and using punch cards with the ribber bed.
garment Basics
This class will take you through the process from design to finished garment focusing on three basic sweater pullover silhouettes. By taking this class, you will understand the process and be able to turn your own ideas into garments. Whether or not you have a linker, you will learn how to assemble a sweater in a variety of ways. Industry standard practices are used throughout.
Garment Detail series
Students who wanted to explore different design details after completing Garment Basics will find this class useful. This class is a collection of mini-classes that focus on various garment details, where you can adopt to the silhouettes discussed in the garment class.
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