Knitting Machine Tutorial Part 1: Basic Knitting

High-Low Tech has two knitting machines, a mid-gauge machine and a fine-gauge machine.

The mid-gauge machine, the SK860, is a single flatbed (metal) machine with 150 Needles spaced 6.5mm apart from: http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp03747.html It should be used with fine - medium gauge yarns.

The fine-gauge machine, the SK830, is a single flatbed (metal) machine with 250 Needles spaced 3.6mm apart from: http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp03743.html It should be used with very fine - fine gauge yarns.

The mid-gauge SK860 is much easier to use than the fine-gauge SK830. If you are new to machine knitting you should begin on the mid-gauge machine.

1. Cast on

Thread the machine with yarn

Set russel levers to II, put weaving knobs down, and make sure the carriage is set to knit stckinet.

Russel levers:


Weaving knobs:


Push the desired number of needles all the way out into D position.



Run the carriage across the needles twice, so that the carriage returns to the right hand side of the machine. This will move all of the needles into B position.



Move every other needle into D position.



Thread the yarn through the carriage and close the latch. Pull the thread across the needles that are in D position. Hold it gently but firmly with your left hand.







With your right hand, move the carriage across the needles from right to left, knitting your first row.



Knit a few more rows and then move the weaving knobs up.

Here's a video of this process:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-CvnP4MB7s

2. Knit your pattern

3. Cast off

Push all of the needles you've been using in your pattern all the way out into D position.

Pull the yarn out of the carriage.

Using the latch tool, crochet a chain stitch through each of your stitches to cast off.

Here's a video of this process:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoRtRa_jJ4M

Once you've mastered basic knitting you're ready to try pattern knitting.