Many thanks to Mary Anne Oger for her mention of us in her most recent blogpost. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes over the next day or two to read through her blog, where she discusses the Hoods Up! project, including yarn substitutions and design elements, and her updated (2015) version, the Manfriend Hoodie.
Looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow night! I've just recently received a copy of Mary Anne's new book, The Handbook for Manual Machine Knitters, and will bring it along with me to the meet up so you can have a peak. It is packed with very helpful information.
For those of you who can't make it, I plan to post an update over the weekend, so stay tuned!
Nancy
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Meet Up Reminder
If there is anything special you would like to see or do Thursday, please let us know in the comments below.
Judie W will be coordinating car pooling via email if anyone is interested in that.
I plan to post about our meet up so for those of you unable to attend, watch this space next weekend for that update.
Finally, I hope that you've all had time to take in the many holiday craft sales going on this weekend, or if you're selling I hope your weekend is successful!
Nancy
Friday, November 11, 2016
Blogs and Blogging
So, an unexpected part of the learning curve has become getting more familiar with Blogger. I suspect this will also be an ongoing learning experience so please bear with us.
We've decided that we will leave this blog as public - we would never have met Lynn from Wisconsin if we were closed/private! That means that I don't need to send anyone "invites" to the blog (the reason for asking about which email you preferred), and as long as you are subscribed you will (well, should) receive notifications when new entries are posted. As much as possible we'd like to shift the conversation here - which means either Lynne or myself will make a blog entry, and everyone participating in the Knit-a-Long is really encouraged to comment so we can all help each other learn.
Given the geographic and time constraints of our machine knitting group(s) here and across the Maritimes and all the way to Wisconsin, the internet is a such a help to bring us all together. If you are not familiar with the wealth of information available through other machine knitter blogs, YouTube channels, Ravelry, etc., then I really encourage you to do some exploring. And not just machine knitting of course, but hand knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting - the list goes on!
Here are just a few links to blogs that I enjoy, just to get you started:
http://knitwords.blogspot.ca/
http://diananatters.blogspot.ca/
http://susanguagliumi.com/
http://machineknittingfun.blogspot.ca/
http://needlesofsteel.blogspot.ca/
http://techknitting.blogspot.ca/
https://happystitches.wordpress.com/
http://ilgaleja.com/
https://janethornleyfiction.com/
http://blog.loveknitting.com/
http://www.truenorthknitting.net/apps/blog/
Leave us some of your favourite machine knitting sites in the comments!
Nancy
We've decided that we will leave this blog as public - we would never have met Lynn from Wisconsin if we were closed/private! That means that I don't need to send anyone "invites" to the blog (the reason for asking about which email you preferred), and as long as you are subscribed you will (well, should) receive notifications when new entries are posted. As much as possible we'd like to shift the conversation here - which means either Lynne or myself will make a blog entry, and everyone participating in the Knit-a-Long is really encouraged to comment so we can all help each other learn.
Given the geographic and time constraints of our machine knitting group(s) here and across the Maritimes and all the way to Wisconsin, the internet is a such a help to bring us all together. If you are not familiar with the wealth of information available through other machine knitter blogs, YouTube channels, Ravelry, etc., then I really encourage you to do some exploring. And not just machine knitting of course, but hand knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting - the list goes on!
Here are just a few links to blogs that I enjoy, just to get you started:
http://knitwords.blogspot.ca/
http://diananatters.blogspot.ca/
http://susanguagliumi.com/
http://machineknittingfun.blogspot.ca/
http://needlesofsteel.blogspot.ca/
http://techknitting.blogspot.ca/
https://happystitches.wordpress.com/
http://ilgaleja.com/
https://janethornleyfiction.com/
http://blog.loveknitting.com/
http://www.truenorthknitting.net/apps/blog/
Leave us some of your favourite machine knitting sites in the comments!
Nancy
Monday, November 7, 2016
How to Clearn Your Knitting Machine
Cleaning the Carriage:
- Remove the arm from the carriage. Turn upside down and using a natural bristle paint brush and clean rag, remove the dust, fluff and old oil. - Rotate the cam levers or part buttons and tension dial. Using a lint-free rag saturated with or the oil which came with your machine, rub it over all the moving parts. Follow the needle butt channels and carefully clean all the nooks and crannies. - If these parts are very dry, then oil directly from the container. The Brother, Studio and Singer oil containers have a brush at the tip to prevent the oil coming out in big blobs. Passap knitters are advised to use Bellodor oil which may be used on all machines. Bellodor oil is vegetable-based and is less likely to gum up the machines than the mineral-based oils.
Checking the Carriage Arm:
- Check to see if all the brushes are spinning freely. Remove the brushes and clean out the lint from around the posts that the wheels sit on and any strands of yarn that may be tangled in the brushes. Be careful removing the wheels as they are soft metals and can be stripped easily. Use the proper Phillips screwdriver. - Check the brushes and plastic discs for wear; it may be necessary to replace them.
Cleaning the Needlebed:
- Clean the bed with the bristle brush and a dry lint-free cloth. Wipe out all the old black oil from the rear rail and the channel behind it. The Lori-Lin Lube does a good job of cleaning the needlebed and easily removes the oil and grime. - You may at this point prefer to use your vacuum cleaner. Never use the vacuum to blow into the machine, only use it to vacuum out the fluff. The mini vacuum attachments (sold for computers) are ideal for this procedure.
Check the Needles:
- Bring the needles out to E (D) position and pass the carriage over the bed a few times. Check the needles - Is there anything odd about the needles? Are they twisted, misaligned, bent, hitting the underside of the carriage? Do the latches stay closed and do not open? Are the latches bent? - If any of these problems exist, then the needles should be replaced. (Make a note of the needle numbers which need to be changed.) * If changing a needle without fully removing the needle retaining bar, make sure the latches are closed. ALWAYS remove the garter carriage from the machine when removing the needle retaining bar.
- Remove the needle retaining/sponge bar to check the condition of the bar. To do this, push the bar using a flat-bladed screwdriver and pull out the complete bar. Check to see if it is frayed, perished or has lost its springiness, or if the sponge is flattened. If it is just frayed, cut the frayed
edges but be careful not to cut the foam.
Cleaning with the Long-handled Brush:
- Before replacing the sponge bar, take a long-handled brush (cat tail brush), to clean out the front of the needle bed. Insert the brush into the slot left by removing the retaining bar. As you push it through twist the brush towards the front of the bed; pushing it the other way could cause it to jam on the needle spring. Once clean, replace the sponge bar.
* Be sure, when you reinsert the bar, to make sure that the sponge is facing down. Hold the needles down (you can use your needle pusher to do this) onto the needlebed as you reinsert the bar.
Outside Cover and Plastic Parts:
- The outside of the carriage can be cleaned really well with Simple Green or a damp soft cloth. Never use WD40 or any other chemical or household abrasive products on your machine .
Daily or weekly if the machine is not used every day:
1. Brush fluff from the carriage.
2. Brush needles towards you.
3. Wipe bed and carriage with a dry cloth.
4. Oil the rails and the ridge at the back of carriage. Use Bellodor oil or Lori-Lin Lube; just a drop on the finger tip will do.
Monthly or every couple of sweaters:
1 to 4 above and oil the metal parts of the carriage.
5. Snip frays on the needle retaining bar.
6. Use the cat tail brush to clean under the needles while the retaining bar is out. Be very careful to not jam the brush in the electronics. Twirl brush toward the front of the machine, and slowly push it through until it reaches the other end. Then withdraw it and remove the lint. Re-insert if necessary to completely clean the channel.
7. Vacuum if desired, but never blow the fluff into the machine.
Annually:
1 to 7 above.
8. Remove the needles in groups of 50 (mark as group A, B, C or D). Place each 50 in a separate bottle, and cover the needles with Denatured alcohol mixed with two teaspoons of Bellodor oil. Swirl around and let sit while you do the rest of 1 to 7 above.
9. Withdraw the needles and allow to dry on a terry cloth towel or cloth baby diaper. Now, ten at a time, line them up on a table in front of you, and remove all needles that are not perfectly aligned, whose latches don't close properly, or are otherwise damaged. Replace them.
10. Reinsert the needles, putting the B section into A, the A section into B, the C into D, and the D into C (the outside needles now move to the inside and the inside needles now move to the outside). Replace the sponge bar if necessary..
11. Wipe down the plastic carefully.
12. Clean and oil all of your accessories following the guidelines given for the main carriages.
13. Take the time to clean around your knitting machine: the areas behind and under the machines have a tendency to "collect" stuff.
This really isn't a scary procedure, it just takes time. But it is worth it. Your machines will be easier to use and your knitting will go much faster. Make a habit of setting a date to deep clean your machines each year, such as January 1st.
* Adapted from Pat Holbrook of Cardikints article on Cleaning Your Machines.
- Remove the arm from the carriage. Turn upside down and using a natural bristle paint brush and clean rag, remove the dust, fluff and old oil. - Rotate the cam levers or part buttons and tension dial. Using a lint-free rag saturated with or the oil which came with your machine, rub it over all the moving parts. Follow the needle butt channels and carefully clean all the nooks and crannies. - If these parts are very dry, then oil directly from the container. The Brother, Studio and Singer oil containers have a brush at the tip to prevent the oil coming out in big blobs. Passap knitters are advised to use Bellodor oil which may be used on all machines. Bellodor oil is vegetable-based and is less likely to gum up the machines than the mineral-based oils.
Checking the Carriage Arm:
- Check to see if all the brushes are spinning freely. Remove the brushes and clean out the lint from around the posts that the wheels sit on and any strands of yarn that may be tangled in the brushes. Be careful removing the wheels as they are soft metals and can be stripped easily. Use the proper Phillips screwdriver. - Check the brushes and plastic discs for wear; it may be necessary to replace them.
Cleaning the Needlebed:
- Clean the bed with the bristle brush and a dry lint-free cloth. Wipe out all the old black oil from the rear rail and the channel behind it. The Lori-Lin Lube does a good job of cleaning the needlebed and easily removes the oil and grime. - You may at this point prefer to use your vacuum cleaner. Never use the vacuum to blow into the machine, only use it to vacuum out the fluff. The mini vacuum attachments (sold for computers) are ideal for this procedure.
Check the Needles:
- Bring the needles out to E (D) position and pass the carriage over the bed a few times. Check the needles - Is there anything odd about the needles? Are they twisted, misaligned, bent, hitting the underside of the carriage? Do the latches stay closed and do not open? Are the latches bent? - If any of these problems exist, then the needles should be replaced. (Make a note of the needle numbers which need to be changed.) * If changing a needle without fully removing the needle retaining bar, make sure the latches are closed. ALWAYS remove the garter carriage from the machine when removing the needle retaining bar.
- Remove the needle retaining/sponge bar to check the condition of the bar. To do this, push the bar using a flat-bladed screwdriver and pull out the complete bar. Check to see if it is frayed, perished or has lost its springiness, or if the sponge is flattened. If it is just frayed, cut the frayed
edges but be careful not to cut the foam.
Cleaning with the Long-handled Brush:
- Before replacing the sponge bar, take a long-handled brush (cat tail brush), to clean out the front of the needle bed. Insert the brush into the slot left by removing the retaining bar. As you push it through twist the brush towards the front of the bed; pushing it the other way could cause it to jam on the needle spring. Once clean, replace the sponge bar.
* Be sure, when you reinsert the bar, to make sure that the sponge is facing down. Hold the needles down (you can use your needle pusher to do this) onto the needlebed as you reinsert the bar.
Outside Cover and Plastic Parts:
- The outside of the carriage can be cleaned really well with Simple Green or a damp soft cloth. Never use WD40 or any other chemical or household abrasive products on your machine .
Daily or weekly if the machine is not used every day:
1. Brush fluff from the carriage.
2. Brush needles towards you.
3. Wipe bed and carriage with a dry cloth.
4. Oil the rails and the ridge at the back of carriage. Use Bellodor oil or Lori-Lin Lube; just a drop on the finger tip will do.
Monthly or every couple of sweaters:
1 to 4 above and oil the metal parts of the carriage.
5. Snip frays on the needle retaining bar.
6. Use the cat tail brush to clean under the needles while the retaining bar is out. Be very careful to not jam the brush in the electronics. Twirl brush toward the front of the machine, and slowly push it through until it reaches the other end. Then withdraw it and remove the lint. Re-insert if necessary to completely clean the channel.
7. Vacuum if desired, but never blow the fluff into the machine.
Annually:
1 to 7 above.
8. Remove the needles in groups of 50 (mark as group A, B, C or D). Place each 50 in a separate bottle, and cover the needles with Denatured alcohol mixed with two teaspoons of Bellodor oil. Swirl around and let sit while you do the rest of 1 to 7 above.
9. Withdraw the needles and allow to dry on a terry cloth towel or cloth baby diaper. Now, ten at a time, line them up on a table in front of you, and remove all needles that are not perfectly aligned, whose latches don't close properly, or are otherwise damaged. Replace them.
10. Reinsert the needles, putting the B section into A, the A section into B, the C into D, and the D into C (the outside needles now move to the inside and the inside needles now move to the outside). Replace the sponge bar if necessary..
11. Wipe down the plastic carefully.
12. Clean and oil all of your accessories following the guidelines given for the main carriages.
13. Take the time to clean around your knitting machine: the areas behind and under the machines have a tendency to "collect" stuff.
This really isn't a scary procedure, it just takes time. But it is worth it. Your machines will be easier to use and your knitting will go much faster. Make a habit of setting a date to deep clean your machines each year, such as January 1st.
* Adapted from Pat Holbrook of Cardikints article on Cleaning Your Machines.
A Few Words on Machine Maintenance
While we're all getting ourselves organized to start the KAL, we thought a word or two about machine maintenance might be timely. My machine has been unused for longer than I care to admit, so I spent quite a bit of time this summer doing a very thorough cleaning and maintenance, including replacing the sponges in the sponge bars.
Lynne has written up an excellent piece on cleaning your machine - regular and deep cleaning - and I followed it closely when doing my own machine. See the next blog post for the entire write up.
For the sponge replacement, I followed very closely the detailed directions at Knittsings. Part 1 can be found here: http://knittsings.com/how-to-make-a-knitting-machine-needle-retainer-sponge-bar-part-1-remove-the-old-and-clean-for-new/ There were a few things I did differently - for example, I adhered the fabric to the foam first and THEN cut the strips. The minimum cut on the foam was 0.25 metres, so you can see I have enough for quite a few more sponge bars if anyone is in need!
I also wish that I had left the fabric longer at the two ends to serve as a built-in tab to either try to tuck under the clip or tape to the end. You can see in the picture below that the sponge should be tapered down and secured at the end. Had I left extra fabric that would have been quite a bit easier. I realize now that this photo would have been more helpful had it been a close up - I'm sure you are not interested in what is on my kitchen counter. Hopefully my photography skills, as well as my machine knitting skills, will improve as we go along!
I found another website that also has an excellent video on removing and replacing the sponge in your sponge bar, here: http://spongebar.com/replacesponge/ This site also sells the replacement sponges ready-made.
It's so important to keep our machines in good working order. What better time to do a thorough cleaning just before the start of a new project!
Nancy
Lynne has written up an excellent piece on cleaning your machine - regular and deep cleaning - and I followed it closely when doing my own machine. See the next blog post for the entire write up.
For the sponge replacement, I followed very closely the detailed directions at Knittsings. Part 1 can be found here: http://knittsings.com/how-to-make-a-knitting-machine-needle-retainer-sponge-bar-part-1-remove-the-old-and-clean-for-new/ There were a few things I did differently - for example, I adhered the fabric to the foam first and THEN cut the strips. The minimum cut on the foam was 0.25 metres, so you can see I have enough for quite a few more sponge bars if anyone is in need!
I also wish that I had left the fabric longer at the two ends to serve as a built-in tab to either try to tuck under the clip or tape to the end. You can see in the picture below that the sponge should be tapered down and secured at the end. Had I left extra fabric that would have been quite a bit easier. I realize now that this photo would have been more helpful had it been a close up - I'm sure you are not interested in what is on my kitchen counter. Hopefully my photography skills, as well as my machine knitting skills, will improve as we go along!
I found another website that also has an excellent video on removing and replacing the sponge in your sponge bar, here: http://spongebar.com/replacesponge/ This site also sells the replacement sponges ready-made.
It's so important to keep our machines in good working order. What better time to do a thorough cleaning just before the start of a new project!
Nancy
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Housekeeping and Target Dates
Lynne sent this out to the group as an email yesterday, but I thought I would also post the information here:
- We have ten people signed up now, so that's pretty exciting. The last day to sign up is November 10 and then we will officially start.
- When posting a question or comment about a particular topic, it will keep things organized and easier to reference back if you do that under the blog post concerning that particular topic.
- We will be making the blog private so that only participants will be able to see the entries and make comments. I will use the email address you have already provided to send out invitations unless you would prefer to use a different email address. Please let Lynne or myself know your preferred email address by Monday evening. Once I have that information I will change the settings to private and send out email invitations.
- To receive alerts on when a new blog entry has been posted, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Subscribe to Posts".
- We have booked the Musquodoboit Harbour Public Library (7900 Highway 7, Musquodoboit Harbour) for Thursday, November 24, from 6 to 8 PM for an in-person meet up for those who are able. You can bring your machine if you need help knitting your swatch or just bring your swatch along so we can see what everyone plans to use. If you need help in getting started (eg figuring out the gauge) this is the time to come and ask questions. After that we will be meeting virtually.
Nancy
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Reboot!
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