I like making things: Too long between machine knitting sessions!

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Too long between machine knitting sessions!

I found some time today to get up to my knitting machine. A couple of hours. If all had gone well I could have got the other front skirt part done in that time but it wasn't to be.

Cast on went wonky first and second time. Probably user error!

Third time cast on was OK. Got up to the row of holes to realise I had one two many stitches.

Could have dealt with that but then I forgot to return the needles to the working position after transferring the stitches and knitting one row to make the holes so got ladders instead.

If it hadn't have been so long since I last knitted I would have remembered, at least, to return the needles.

Fourth time all went well, casted on, made holes, turned up hem then proceeded to knit in tuck stitch.

Same problem as last time, the tuck stitch wasn't coming out right.

Upon inspection and evaluation (before taking it off the needles in frustration) I noticed a lever on the back of the needle bed underneath and to the right of where you insert the punch card. Decided to see how the carriage effected it. It was then I realised the problem.

I am using knit radar and knitting from the left side of the knit radar sheet so all my needles in use were left of the centre. When I was knitting left to right I wasn't taking the carriage far enough right to allow the lever to pass fully underneath the carriage and engage whatever it engages.

I tried a few more rows taking the carriage further to the right and it knitted just fine.

I also had a talk to my knitting machine. Her name is Betsy and sometimes she gets a little offstride and in a huff. I told her that she didn't have to be jealous of the new sewing machine and that because we had a new grandbaby she would get plenty of use.

Hopefully will find the time tomorrow to try again while it is all fresh in my mind and Betsy will be be in a good mood.

1 comment:

maureenlthompsonMay 29, 2015 at 4:51 PM
Got the second front made today. Not without problems but all user error! Got the skirt part done straight off but made mistakes with the bodice part a couple of times. Had to undo twice but third time was a charm. Sleeves next.
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As in the words of Thumper: If you can't say 'nuffin nice don't say 'nuffin at all.

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I started this blog in 2011: Ever since my Mum taught me to knit at the age of about six or seven I have made things. Back then it was doll clothes. I was also inspired by Mrs Levitt an elderly lady who had a sewing room in a conservatory type room on the back of her house. I would sit and watch her in awe as she sewed.

When I was a child living in England the school system was such that you started at 5 years, did two years in Infant School, then four years in Primary School then five to seven years in Secondary School, depending on whether you chose to stay on after fifth form to get qualifications to go to University. I can't remember much of the Infant school other than making the standard square doily thingy from fabric that had holes in it so you could embroider patterns into it. A bit like the modern day cross stitch fabric but with bigger holes and spaces to make it easy for small hands to use. I also remember with great joy getting a toy sewing machine one Christmas which sewed only chain stitch but I did make doll clothes on it and that was before I started Primary school. I do have very vivid recollections of Primary school and having sewing and knitting lessons. In Primary school I knitted gloves and made a dress from scratch hand sewing it all.

Secondary school continued on with sewing by which time I had progressed to using full sized sewing machines and was making more intricate skirts and dresses. My parents bought me a proper sewing machine when I was thirteen. I used that same machine right up until I emigrated to Canada at age forty six years.

I have always had a fascination for sewing machines and knitting machines. I bought my first knitting machine at around age twenty one from an ad in a newspaper for twelve pounds. I had absolutely no idea what one was just that I wanted one. I trundled on the bus to the address in the advert and handed over my twelve pounds having absolutely no idea what I had really bought. Fortunately it came with a manual. It was an aged Knitmaster, very basic and I loved it. I wore it out. Next was a Brother push button one which I didn't keep because it was at a time in my life when things were difficult. Later on in my life, around forty, when things were better I bought a brand new Brother punchard machine with a ribber attachment. I loved it and made many things. Life took a different turn, I moved countries twice and along the way, regrettably I sold it.

Now, through the universe's blessing I now have another machine. It is a vintage one because they stopped making them early 90's but works perfectly and I love it. So I decided to make this blog to document my knitting progress and include sewing projects.

In 2013: we embarked on a new hobby, leather-work. My husband got started with it and it drew me in. It is something we can do together. We have a workshop so have plenty of room to work. We added another workbench for me to work on in 2013. We already had one but we were tripping over each other both trying to work at it. We only make things we want to make. It is strictly a hobby. We made some things for our good neighbours who help us out a lot. I am also working on Christmas presents. So this blog now incorporates the leather-work. Knitting and sewing will always be my first love though.

Fast forward to 2023 and now age almost 75 years. I have seven sewing machines, four knitting machines, several ribber attachments and a garter carriage for one of the machines. I am blessed beyond words, but I know that I have more than enough machines to keep me going in my lifetime so I don’t think I will be adding to my collection any time soon……….unless a nice embroidery machine manifests itself very cheaply.

I am a Brit living in the USA, sometimes I spell like a Brit and sometimes like an American. Sometimes I use slang and even make grammatical errors. I blog for the pleasure of it and to record my endeavours in the event that my memory fades, as I am sure it will with more age. I will be able to look back and remind myself of the things I have made along the way. So please forgive my mistakes when reading about my life making things here in the hinterlands and I hope you get as much enjoyment from my blog as I do from reading the blogs I follow.

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Too long between machine knitting sessions!

1 comment: