How to Convert Hand Knit Patterns into Knitting Machine Patterns

Knitting Machine PatternsThere are many benefits to using a knitting machine to create your knitted goods at home. For example, you can finish large knitting projects in a few hours rather than in a few days it would take you to hand knit the same project. While there are plenty of intimidating features to transition to when learning the knitting machine, a big advantage is that you can use some of your favorite basic hand knitting patterns for your first few projects. Basic hand knitting patterns that do not use complicated stitches, cables, or other patterns are very simple to convert to knitting machine patterns without any extra work. If you have a few basic stockinette stitch patterns that you would like to try on your new knitting machine, read on for how to knit them on a machine.

Hand Knitting Patterns vs. Knitting Machine Patterns

Most basic knitting patterns can be used on knitting machines without any converting. In fact, knitting machine patterns and hand knit patterns look almost exactly the same on the surface. You have a set amount of stitches to cast on, knit, and bind off, just like on a hand-knitting pattern. On knitting machine patterns that require several rows, or increases or decreases, you are still instructed to use stitch markers to help you count, too.

The biggest visible difference on basic knitting machine patterns is that instead of seeing a needle size requirement to meet the gauge, instead you’ll see a needle range. For example, instead of seeing instructions to use size 8 knitting needles, you’ll see instructions to use a mid-range knitting machine with a setting for your stitch dial.

How to Convert to a Knitting Machine Pattern

If you don’t have a pattern to use for your first few machine projects, you can easily use some simple hand knit patterns that don’t call for cables, bubble stitches, or lace. Using a hand knit pattern on a machine is pretty simple. Like with any new hobby, it is best to start with simple projects such as washcloths, scarves, or a simple wrap. To use your hand knit patterns for your knitting machine, the process is pretty simple.

Hand Knitting Patterns

The first thing you need to do is prepare your yarn for the machine. It needs to be made in a center-pull ball so that it can feed yarn to the machine fast enough. A typical skein will not unravel fast enough for a knitting machine. Once you’ve done this step, you can put the number of stitches the pattern calls for on your machine. This step will be explained in your manual. Then you simply push the carriage back and forth until you’ve reached the desired length for your project. You cast off by running the carriage over your knitting without any yarn. Be sure at this point to hold your work up so that it doesn’t fall to the ground or unravel fro the weight.

If you are using a ribbed pattern for your project, the process will be slightly different, and require a crochet hook or latch hook to use during the process. During cast on, you will skip the purl rows and then move your carriage back and forth for the length of the purls. Once you have completed the length that needs to be purled, you can take your crochet hook or latch tool and go up the ladder chaining in the spots where the stitches are skipped.

Machine knitting is a great way to quickly produce knits in your home. Whether you want to quickly make up a bunch of scarves for holiday gifts, make winter sweaters or socks for your family, or want to start up a knitting business, a knitting machine is a great way to increase your production and create beautiful items. If you want to start machine knitting and need some patterns to get you started, try using some of your regular knitting patterns on your machine. While your more complex projects will need real knitting machine patterns, simply converting your basic knitting patterns for use on your machine can work to complete your first few projects.

Why Machine Knitting – The Essential Facts You Need To Consider

Machine KnittingWhile most knitters are dedicated to hand knitting, machine knitting is a great way to become fast efficient, and accurate in your work. The knitting hobbyist may not find much of a use for a knitting machine, but if you knit in order to make money, or make garments for your family, you may want to consider this purchase. Many large manufacturers use machines for knit fabrics, but you can also find knitting machines intended for household use. Not only will you be able to easily figure out the ins and outs of using your machine at home, but also you’ll be able to quickly create knitted goods without working day and night on each project.

Benefits of Using a Knitting Machine

Many hand knitters despise the idea of machine knitting, and consider it to be cheating. All you should know on this topic is that once you have tried it, you will know that it is not cheating! Learning the ins and outs of a knitting machine can be a lot of work, and converting your knowledge of hand knitting to machine knitting can be extremely complicated. Still, once the initial learning hurdle is passed, you’ll find that there are many benefits to knitting on a machine.

The Speed Of Creation!

The most obvious benefit to knitting with a machine is the speed at which you can finish each project. Using a machine to knit sweaters, scarves, or other goods for your family will speed up the process immensely, meaning less money spent in department stores on over-priced winter garments. This of course can also be a most useful factor to consider if you are looking at starting a knitting business or if you want to make money knitting.

No More Slipped Stitches or Crooked Cables

Not only will a knitting machine increase your efficiency, but since most machines use programmed patterns, the ACCURACY will be high as well. While knitting by hand can produce slipped stitches or a crooked cable when you aren’t paying enough attention, a machine is made to accurately complete a job and is less likely to result in noticeable mistakes in your knit fabric.

Choose a Knitting Machine

Differences Between Hand Knitting and Machine Knitting

If you’re considering making the switch from hand knitting to knitting on a machine, there are a few differences you should first become aware of. First of all, not all stitches can be created the same way on a knitting machine, and some can’t be re-created at all, or are just too tedious to be worth it.

Gauge Differences

Another big difference in knitting with a machine is the gauge. Since knitting machines feature needles that are locked in place, you can’t just change their position or size to meet a different gauge. Instead, you have to create several gauge swatches before you can even consider knitting something sized on your machine. To find the proper gauge on a machine-knit gauge swatch, you have to first take it off the machine, roll it up, tug on it from top to bottom, and then let it set overnight to get an accurate size.

With a knitting machine, there is a lot more work in the preparation, but once you have gotten accustomed to your machine and how it works, the overall production will be much faster.

How to Choose a Knitting Machine

The most important aspect of choosing a knitting machine is to know what size yarn you prefer. Since the needles are locked into place, you can’t change them out with larger sizes for different yarns. It doesn’t really matter what projects you want to use your machine for, or what types of fiber you like best. Consider going into your local yarn store and saying “I want needles that knit wool.” That doesn’t make much sense, does it? It’s the same concept for a knitting machine. Rather than knowing what type of fiber you like, you need to know what size you like, so that you can choose a machine equipped to handle your yarn.

Making the switch from hand knitting to a knitting machine can take a bit of time. However, if you are looking at selling knitting or you’ve decided you need to become much more efficient for one reason or another, it can be worth the time needed to make the switch. If you find yourself wanting to produce your knitting faster than your hands can move, then you should be considering machine knitting as your newest hobby.