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BAStinson
New Pal
USA
2 Posts |
 Posted - 09/13/2009 : 2:55:37 PM
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Hi,
New at this where do I start. I have LK150 machine How do I start with the scraf pattern, where do I fine one? Are there websites with free patterns to learn on? had my machine quite a while but have'nt done much with it. Can use all the help I can get. Would like to have a computerize one some day. Whats the best on eout there?
Barbara Stinson |
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achrisvet
Permanent Resident
USA
5986 Posts |
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brendawarren1
New Pal
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2010 : 3:06:12 PM
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| I received a knitting machine for Christmas and I can't get it to work. I have graduated to getting two rows done but then it sticks. I am so frustrated. Can anyone give me a tip or at least explain why the shuttle just jams? |
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Bernie
Chatty Knitter
Canada
115 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2010 : 03:17:02 AM
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Hi: which machine are you using? There are several reasons, first it could be the sponge, it may have deteriorated, you will have to turn the machine over to inspect it. Second, the yarn may be too heavy for the machine, if you are using an LK150 you can use baby weight up to and including a sport or dk weight yarn. and lastly the carriage may not be seated properly on the rail.
if you need more help just let us know
Bernie |
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brendawarren1
New Pal
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2010 : 5:55:38 PM
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| Thanks Bernie, I am so new, I didn't realize that there would be so many brands of machines. Mine was a gift for Christmas and I would classify it as a hobby machine. It doesn't have a sponge. I think it is called the Ultimate Sweater Machine. Would you know anything about this machine? (FYI I am using the yarn that cane with the machine.) |
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Bernie
Chatty Knitter
Canada
115 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2010 : 03:18:27 AM
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Hi: I have several singer and brother machines, but I don't have a USM so I can't help you too much, but there are videos on you tube for bond machines you can check there. You can also check their site www.bond-america.com they have free patterns and a video.
Bernie |
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madams716
Chatty Knitter
USA
206 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2010 : 1:03:06 PM
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BrendaWarren, I received a USM for Christmas also but am having pretty good luck with mine.
There are 2 things that come to mind that might cause the problem you are describing.
First, your table has to be absolutely flat so that the bed of the machine doesn't have any raised spots. Also, if you tighten the clamps too tightly the back of the machine will lift and cause your carriage to stick as well.
Second, could be related to weight. If you don't have enough weight - or the weight is uneven, it could also cause the carriage to stick.
Every once in a while I have my carriage stick for no reason that I can see - when this happens I have a needle that is just slightly misaligned which the carriage sticks on. Most of the time when this happens a quick tug on the knitting below the carriage will resettle the stuck needle and let me move on.
Hope this helps. |
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raedean52
New Pal
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2010 : 1:37:30 PM
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i got a lk150 and i do not know if i use 2 balls of yarn.one to thread up and thru and another thru where i cast on at or do i bring the yarn thru the top yarn guide and on down and then cast on?do i cast onto the metal combs not connected to the machine?if i use 4 ply yarn??what tension?
also.can i wing it on implements?like weights.could i use a potato chip clip and clip it on with a fishing weight on it??as a weight?
i am looking for the manual.i got the machine free at an estate sale.hugs raedean |
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amoonsinger
New Pal
USA
38 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2010 : 10:50:57 AM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsu3g85hpDk This is a link to a video that will help you with your machine. Different machine but process pretty much the same: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aQNOGgMuqI (I have this machine but don't use the box. I like to see my yarn)
Be sure to check to see if the sponge strip needs replacing. The sponge strip holds the needles in place so they don't bounce around. That keeps the needles knitting properly. You can see info on how to replace a strip here: http://marzipanknits.blogspot.com/2008/07/tutorial-for-changing-sponge-strip-on.html A bad sponge can lead to broken needles and a damaged carriage.
Be sure to go through many of the other videos at youtube. Most will be for other machines but the manual techniuqes used on one machine can be used on others and are very good to learn.
Neat that you got the machine free. These are not cheap but lots of fun to play with.
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amoonsinger
New Pal
USA
38 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2010 : 11:00:59 AM
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Oh on the video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aQNOGgMuqI be sure to go to the end of the video to watch the bloopers on the machine. These will give you an idea of mistakes that can happen. Then you can see that these happen to everyone. Don't let those little things that happen stop you from continuing to learn the machines.
I wish I could tell you how many times I have dropped an entire project just because I didn't get the yarn loaded right in the carriage. That is a shocker when the project falls to the feet, but sure is a good teaching lesson after the ten or twenty times it happens.
I do love videos that show the mistakes and how you can learn from them. |
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tasanawright
New Pal
USA
12 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2011 : 09:07:01 AM
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I just got the LK150 and it came with a vhs tape but I have no way to watch it. I figured out how to thread it but it didn't mention anywhere in the instructions to cast on. -I only saw this because of a video on youtube I saw- but have no idea how to do it. I also can get it to move once or twice but after that it jams up. i don't know why. if it's the yarn I'm using which is like fingering weight on a cone. but all the yarn I have...
is it worth it all to figure this thing out? I'm ready to chuck it out the window right now... can anyone tell me some free video links to watch how to set it up and use. I only found a few on youtube that were not helpful at all. |
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amoonsinger
New Pal
USA
38 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2011 : 08:04:28 AM
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Really any of the videos on youtube for casting on a knitting machine, be it a standard, bulky, or midgauged machine will work for you. The gauges of the machines, and yarns they use are different but cast on methods are the same for all of the machine single beds. Just don't look at the ones that deal with having a ribber as the LK150 doesn't have a ribber.
One thing to ask is if you have check the sponge strip. If you picked this up used and not from a dealer, it might need a new sponge strip. The strip holds the needles in place so they can knit properly. Bad strip means needles bouncing all over and the carriage cannot knit right. If you type in a search "how to change a sponge strip" or something like that there are online tutorials and Berta even has a video for a brother machine. My LK140 was actually easier to install the sponge strip then my brother 350 machines (yes I have multiple of those, three to be exact). (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAOTLnJgIho) You can copy and paste that to see Bertas video.
Many times jams are caused but a bad sponge strip (sponge bars on the metal bed machines), as the needles cannot knit right due to that soft sponge or deteriorated sponge. It is always one of the first things to check out.
At youtube look for dianaknits to find lots of beginner videos she has produced. Most are on metal bed machines, but that means very little, like I said a cast on for one machine is the same for another in most instances. Check out her ewrap cast on, latch tool cast on, and others.
It is worth figuring out. Well, I think so. I currently have many machines and although I don't exclusive machine knit, I do love the machines.
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chiral
Warming Up
Australia
64 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2012 : 3:40:22 PM
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Radean
I have several sets of fishing weights I use when I'm making smaller items. As long as they don't catch in the machine or damage the knitting you should be fine.
The transfer tools and the cast on comb are about the only essentials. The rest can be improvised if necessary. I know of people who regularly raid their kitchen utensils for particular jobs.
Steve
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chiral1/ |
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chiral
Warming Up
Australia
64 Posts |
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chiral
Warming Up
Australia
64 Posts |
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LK 150
