Knitting Machine Tips

Are these common mistakes holding you back?

October 1, 2024
7 comments

Let's explore common mistakes machine knitters make and focus on how you can be more productive / efficient with your knitting.

Watching videos instead of knitting

It's so easy to fall into the trap of watching someone else knit. But watching isn't getting you any closer to your goals with your knitting machine.
Make a promise to yourself to devote regular, scheduled time to sitting down at your machine.

Skipping swatching

Without a swatch:

How do you know how many stitches to cast on and rows to knit?
How do you know how the finished item will feel?
How do you know how your yarn will wash?
How do you know how much yarn you need?

Swatching is NOT OPTIONAL
The only way you'll have success is to learn how to knit, prepare and measure a "Proper" Swatch

Jumping from machine to machine

If you have multiple machines it's tempting to play with them. But this is a fast-track to getting yourself confused and distracted from your goals.
Promise me you will put away all but ONE machine and focus on it.

Using patterns from different sources

There are so many ways to generate knitting patterns. Why create more confusion for yourself?

Knit it Now Perfect Fit custom patterns
Translating hand knitting patterns
Vintage machine knittingpatterns
Using software
Charting devices

Pick a charting/pattern method and STICK WITH IT!

Knit it Now Dynamic patterns allow you to use ANY machine, ANY Yarn and YOUR GAUGE. As a member, you'd have full access to all of our Perfect Fit Basics.

See how Knit it Now Patterns Work

What are your biggest hurdles? Hit reply and let us know how we can help you on your journey to master your knitting machine

7 Comments

- Lara F
- October 27, 2024
Jumping from machine to machine for awhile. Then it was watching more training than doing. Now I just don't have time and then I forget in between what I was doing. I need to just make fabric and practice with a good audiobook.
- Esther S
- October 26, 2024
I haven't used my Brother KH970 machine for so long. This summer I knitted some very simple stockings, without a pattern: now I finally want to knit a sweater or cardigan with a pattern. But I've just realized that I need to practice the basics. It's good that I've found such simple and great patterns here.
- Sue J
- October 11, 2024
@Shanna, The only reason your knitting will fall off is if the yarn isn't in the yarn feeder correctly. If the machine doesn't have yarn available to form loops, the needles will just pull out and drop all the stitches. I'll contact you privately.
- Shanna H
- October 11, 2024
I'm a beginner so still doing a lot of practicing. Every time I thread nylon cord into the feeder and knit across, it doesn't knit and my swatch falls off. What am I doing wrong?
- Barb S
- October 10, 2024
It's been a very, very, very long time since I've machine knitted...I bought my first knitting machine when I was very young & lived near someone who could show me what to do. That was more than 50 years ago & I lost it in a move. I then purchased my current 2 machines in the past 8 years & have done nothing on them or with them. Needless to say, I'm overwhelmed. When I bought the KH930, I also was given a store load of coned yarns, books, accessories...I have recently retired from full time work & I have been hand knitting like crazy...I'd like to also re-learn how to machine knit. So my biggest question is, "Where do I start?" I need to get the KH930 set up. I have a metal stand I received with the machine & ribber (KR850E). So once I get the machine on the stand, what's next??? I have been looking forward to joining this group for a very long time. So I guess this is my biggest mistake that's holding me back...It's good to be here!!!
- Tina B
- October 2, 2024
Today i learnd my lesson, but I am still ambitious, and finding adorable (not-so--)knitables i still use much time to aproach the design. Once i tried all patterning devices from knititnow to dak to dryknit to handknit for understanding the pattern construction....I got it eventionally. Took me at least a year...
- Tina B
- October 2, 2024
Jumping from machine to machine was the biggest issue. Looking videos gave me a good understanding for what is possible,. But it seriously was part of buying more machines. Needlebed limitations? Buy another bond and make it broader. Latchopening, round counter, tension spring...wow, other machines have patterning capacities? A punchcard machine . ....and so on. Buying different yarn because you do not know what to like, and do not forget the yarn stash i already had and was NOT suitable for my machines.... For the handknitter: Stokkinette is boring, i thought. liking complicated stitchpatterns i was way too ambitious.And machineknitting is cheating, so noone should know, nothing should tell.