Knitting Machine Tips

Stripe Variation

December 26, 2023
7 comments

You don't need an automatic patterning machine to create these transitions.
COLOR TRANSITIONS
Just 2 rows can make a softer transition for stripes. Blend the colors without a punchcard or programming.
Cast on and knit first stripe in Main Color (dark grey)

1

Pull out every other needle
Set your carriage to slip Slip on your machine
- Brother part buttons
- Silver Singer - Slip cam setting
Knit 1 row (every other needle knits with Main Color/dark grey)

Carriage continues to slip
Thread carriage with Contrasting Color (White)
Pull alternating needles out (needles that just knit will slip)
Knit 1 row (every other needle will knit with Contrasting Color (White)

repeat 1 and 2 alternating the colors

Continue knitting the next stripe in the Contrasting Color (White)

Repeat this sequence between stripes as desired.

No extra settings, punchard or programming is needed.

Soften the transition between stripes

7 Comments

- Sue J
- January 7, 2024
Yes, this can be done by programming your machine as well, that way you could put color 1 in feeder1 and color 2 in feeder 2, then program your machine to select every other needle, alternating the needles selected.
- Kelle F
- January 7, 2024
Love the fade look of this. One color (main color) goes into feeder 1 slot and one color (next color) goes in feeder 2 slot on the carriage (on my SK 860) it may be called something different on your machine.
- Beverly A
- January 4, 2024
Thanks Sue, for explaining that. I am still so unsure of myself when knitting. I keep thinking I should knit myself a real sweater, but I am so afraid to screw it up and waste all that good yarn.
- Hilda B
- January 2, 2024
It really does make a difference to plain old stripes much nicer finish .
- Sue J
- January 2, 2024
Hi Beverly, I've updated the instructions. I'm sorry they weren't clear. We can only knit with 1 color at a time unless you are using an automatic patterning machine (punchcard and electronics) for fairisle. Then you can thread up 2 colors and the machine will use each color as needed for the stitch pattern. For this stripe variation, you'll knit Color 1 over every other needle, then Color 2 over the alternating needles.
- Beverly A
- January 1, 2024
When you say “thread up both colours”, do you thread each through a separate feeder, or both in the same feeder?
- Marilyn N
- December 30, 2023
Definitely going to try this out. Makes a nice design also in the knitting.