July 2021: since this post was published I have written on using a combination of Mac Numbers and Gimp to modify repeats from punchcard and electronic published sources including: Numbers and GIMP: online punchcard patterns to electronics Numbers and GIMP: online punchcard patterns to electronics 2 Numbers to GIMP to create images for electronic download … Continue reading Weaving drafts as inspiration for other textile techniques
Slip-stitch fabrics are capable of creating interesting textures. When blocks of stitches are slipped, the floats that may appear on the purl side are considered problematic by some knitters. One solution is to work using mosaic and maze “floatless FI” designs. This was addressed in previous posts, including color separation methods for planning them, and … Continue reading More slip stitch experiments
If you have a machine that selects needles to the forward position, you may use a punchcard, mylar sheet, or program to select needles for indicating cable placements. On the single bed, the selected needles act as the signal to actually create the cable crosses. When working on the double bed, the needle selection on the … Continue reading Machine knit cables: using patterning as a guide to transfers
Reviewed and in the process of being edited with added charts and photos 12/2022. My working and presentation methods have evolved, resulting from evolving working methods and skill in using the new generations of available hardware and software including new generation iPhones with their built-in cameras. This post will continue as a hybrid of sorts. The … Continue reading Ruching 2: more working with stitch groups
One double-bed example, the Brother 900 E DB changer for use on both standard and bulky The Studio/singer YC6 may be used either on the single or double bed simply by repositioning one piece. It includes a 4 color tension unit, a special sinker plate, and a set of cards that are for use only for … Continue reading Some notes on machine knitting color changers
I am planning a thread on motifs and miters, here is a brief review of holding stitches in preparation: short rows are just that. Instead of going the full width of your stitches across, you knit only a portion of the stitches on the machine, turn, and go back to the beginning, which results in … Continue reading Holding stitches/ short rows
Fair isle is the name given to a pattern knitted with 2 colors in each row. The motifs are easily identified by looking at the holes in the punchcard, or squares on mylar, pixels in programs. While I will be referring to punch card knitting, the same principles apply. Your knit swatch will look like … Continue reading Fair Isle single bed 1: float control
“Pinning” has become part of my daily routine. This image was pinned by someone else, and brought back memories of my block stitch scarves, along with the temptation for working out a new repeat, similar to that seen on the top of this jacket credited to Forquet. The term block stitch is one used in … Continue reading Block slip stitch separations
Though long stitches in a pattern may be created by a variety of methods, I will begin the topic by discussing long stitch stripes across the width of the knit. The easiest, quickest long stitches are produced by simply working with extremes in knitting tension. There are size limitations in this technique. One example would … Continue reading Long stitches on KM (single bed)
I have literally hundreds of machine-knit swatches from the days I taught in a design school program. I periodically revisit them and since cables and their look-alike relatives have recently caught my attention I thought I would share photos of some of the samples in the next few posts. They are not necessarily resolved fabrics, … Continue reading Pretend/ mock cables 1: i-cords, holding