Racked patterns 5: Passap/Brother 2

I have been asked whether this particular fabric discussed in the post could be produced on the Passap. The only way to find out is to try it. The lesson already learned: use a yarn that is crisp or capable of retaining memory for maximum effect. Here the swatch is knit in a 3/14 cotton. To start with, … Continue reading Racked patterns 5: Passap/Brother 2

Origami folds inspired pleats 1

I have long since wanted to experiment with a variety of folds in knits other than “simple pleats”. I am sharing some of my earlier starts looking at some concepts beginning with the single bed. For a diagonal pleat, I began testing the waters by bringing some needles to hold-position every other row and creating … Continue reading Origami folds inspired pleats 1

Fisherman_ English tuck stitch rib 1_ checks patterns_ Brother, Passap

More than 6 years ago I produced a series of scarves that were double-sided, reversible, and were considered “manly” by some of the customers at my shows. Some were one color, some in 2. I found an early post with no clear instructions for them, but with this image and that of a punchcard marked … Continue reading Fisherman_ English tuck stitch rib 1_ checks patterns_ Brother, Passap

Two color dbj, non repetitive images, electronic kms.

Additional information may be found in previous posts on ribber adjustments and color changers Recently I began to be curious as to how long, non-repetitive images might be handled when knitting on both Brother and Passap. The subject is not out of reach for punchcard knitters. In the early art-to-wear days when the options were … Continue reading Two color dbj, non repetitive images, electronic kms.

More dragon scales and chevrons in ribbed, racked (4) fabrics

Over the years a variety of fabrics have been named dragon scales or crocodile stitch. Here dragon scales have referred to shapes created using a lace technique and resulting in a pattern such as this that was followed by hand knit samples and an investigation into possibly creating a ribber fabric with auto shaping resulting in … Continue reading More dragon scales and chevrons in ribbed, racked (4) fabrics

Charting knits using Mac Numbers 2

From 2012, Numbers 3.2.2: printing graph paper to desired cell dimensions: I chose to change preference for rulers to point units (options are for centimeters, inches, and points). Online conversion between units of measurement and PostScript points may be calculated (if needed) using calculators ie. http://www.unitconversion.org/unit_converter/typography.html default cell size in cm and points Click on the table icon … Continue reading Charting knits using Mac Numbers 2

Revisiting knitting with 2 carriages single bed, 910 vs Ayab so far

The question has often been asked as to why knit with 2 carriages. For me, it became a personal favorite for knitting fabrics requiring color changes every even number of rows. I tend to push the limit with materials and found the Brother single bed color changer to be quirky. When using 2 KCs there is … Continue reading Revisiting knitting with 2 carriages single bed, 910 vs Ayab so far

Intro to knitting: gauge swatches

These were the guidelines offered in my intro to machine knitting class for machine knitting swatches to be measured for gauge, or simply to test new yarns or yarns in different colors. Sometimes yarn from the same manufacturer can vary in gauge even if in the same color but from a different dye lot. Black … Continue reading Intro to knitting: gauge swatches

Lace punchcards meet Ayab

1/8/18 It appears I now have acquired preselection from left to right on the first pass with my Ayab software, which I have been told is its “normal”. I am revising the information I have offered since I began working with Ayab if needed because of this, beginning with lace. This punchcard design is worked … Continue reading Lace punchcards meet Ayab

Combining knit carriage needle selection with racking

4/23/18:  inspiration source is from a Russian pin, bottom left #198 The first swatch, produced with manual selection, and varying the number of rows between racking to establish yarn tolerance There are single rows of knitting on both beds, so the option of using 2 knit carriages is out of the running. My test swatch … Continue reading Combining knit carriage needle selection with racking