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Knitting/Questions Answered by Expert Carol Forbes
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Pattern question: decreasing stitches | 1/28/2012 |
| Q: Carol, I am working a pattern and decreasing stitches at arm hole edge of knitting. I have come ... A: I do not recognize that symbol either. My guess is that it 19 relates to the smallest size and the ... | |
| Studio 312 knitting machine | 1/28/2012 |
| Q: Never used one. The book said cast on with needle in b position, and move carriage back and forth ... A: I would start by putting the needles in A (out-of-work)and, using no yarn, try pushing the carriage ... | |
| Seaming | 1/27/2012 |
| Q: I am never very confident about seaming garments. I understand mattress stitch, but have trouble ... A: I put my shoulder seams together and then attach sleeves. After finding the center of the top of ... | |
| Decrease for a k1, p1 rib. | 12/1/2011 |
| Q: This is probably quite a simple question for you, but I am quite new to knitting. I am 8" in to a ... A: I'm happy to help a new knitter. I would knit the first knit stitch and the first purl stitch off ... | |
| Punch Cards | 10/19/2011 |
| Q: I have a Brother knitting machine that I want to use a punch card on to make a wrap. Instead of it ... A: To pattern with punch cards you will need to use the tuck buttons or the slip buttons, depending on ... | |
| cast off in rib | 10/10/2011 |
| Q: could u explain this for me please cast off in rib as follows: *rib 3, knit into st 3 rows below ... A: I think this will give you a scalloped effect. If you have been knitting a knit 1, purl 1 ribbing, ... | |
| changing needle size different from pattern | 8/27/2011 |
| Q: The pattern uses a size 10 needle my yarn for the project called for a size 6 which I used. Using a ... A: Using #6 needles, cast on about 30 or so stitches and knit in pattern for about 3 inches. measure ... | |
| sleeve instructions | 8/24/2011 |
| Q: Can you please help with the instructions for working the sleeves after increases? I do not know how ... A: You would use Pattern stitch #1, from what you are telling me. If pattern stitch #1 is what you ... | |
| binding off | 8/14/2011 |
| Q: The instructions for neck and shoulder shaping bind off 8 stitches at beg of next 2 rows,8sts at beg ... A: First row of neck and shoulder: Bind off 8 stitches and work the rest of the row. Second row, Bind ... | |
| studio 156 | 7/31/2011 |
| Q: can I do a ripple pattern on the main bed of my machine and if so where can I get the instructions? ... A: Sorry I did not answer right away. I had to find the pattern. Make 14 strips, about 64 inches ... | |
| 260 bulky | 7/27/2011 |
| Q: when the KC button is on and the carriage crosses the bed the needles are not all coming out to D ... A: Have you taken out the retainer (sponge bar) and cleaned the bed? I have a long skinny brush just ... | |
| slip st purwise | 7/6/2011 |
| Q: As a machine knitter, newbie, how would you slip first stitch purwise on the machine? A: First I would unknit the stitch in question (1 row) and reknit it using the tapit tool (looks a ... | |
| help in knitting pattern please | 6/9/2011 |
| Q: I am knitting my first cardigan and am very confused about the pattern. ... A: row a (RS):k1,sl1,k1,psso,k to last 3st,k2tog,k1. Row b work in established pattern (purl) row c ... | |
| How many stitches to cast on | 6/6/2011 |
| Q: I have some super bulky yarn and want to make a baby blanket using size 13 circular needles. ... A: Cast on about 10 stitches and knit a few rows to make a test swatch. Measure how many stitches you ... | |
| cast off center stitches at next | 6/4/2011 |
| Q: I tried your previous answer and I made a mess of it. Yes, I am new to machine knitting. I have a ... A: You need to set the machine to hold. Check in your manual. I am not that familiar with sk160 but ... | |
| knitting | 4/9/2011 |
| Q: I`m new at knitting plse can you help me. I knit a diamond moss pattern, and in row 5&6 the pattern ... A: I'm not sure. What I would do is go to my "stash", cast on 24 or 48 stitches and knit a little bit ... | |
| Pattern Question | 3/7/2011 |
| Q: The pattern says cast on 2 sts at end of every right side row 6 times, then cast on one st at the ... A: If I read this correctly you have 13 stitches. 1. Knit a right side row and add 2 stitches.(15 ... | |
| Converting Hand Knitting to Machine Knit Pattern | 2/18/2011 |
| Q: I just purchased a hand knitting pattern on line and would like to convert to a machine knit ... A: Unless your pattern calls for a lot of knits and purls in the same row, it should be easy to ... | |
| machine knitting | 2/5/2011 |
| Q: I have a Brother knitting machine model KH-836 and a ribber model KR-850,I want to make 1x1 but ... A: It could be the needles are hitting each other. Be sure to put every other needle in work and be ... | |
| pattern confusion | 2/4/2011 |
| Q: Could you interpret this part of a pattern for me? I got lost at the 6s. Cast on 22 sts. knit 10 ... A: Row 11: Increase 1 stitch at the beginning of the row. Knit the row in garter stitch. Increase 1 ... | |
| abbreviations hand to machine | 2/2/2011 |
| Q: I'm a machine knitter and was wondering how do you translate: yo ssk and wyif and wyib to machine ... A: for yo ssk, I would put 2 stitches on one needle and leave the empty needle in work. The machine ... | |
| partial knitting | 1/28/2011 |
| Q: I have a machine knit question. I'm working on the sweater front and it reads: Shape Neck: COR ... A: If the carriage is placed next to the stitches of the right neck and the right neck stitches are in ... | |
| Studio sk 326 | 1/26/2011 |
| Q: so happy i found this site. I use a studio sk 326, no manual if u ask. I want to know what is that ... A: I think you might be talking about the knit radar. There are pattern piece outlines (in half scale) ... | |
| buying used knitting machines | 1/20/2011 |
| Q: I lived in Wisconsin in the 80's and I had 2 Studio machine which I had to get rid of when I got ... A: http://www.knitknackshop.com/ Try this link to the Knit Knack Shop in Peru Indiana. Charlene and ... | |
| cast off center stitches at nect | 1/17/2011 |
| Q: I'm working on a baby sweater and it says to cast off center 32 sts, leaving 14 sts on each side for ... A: Since this says to knit 6 rows with wy (waste yarn)I will assume this is being done on a knitting ... | |
| scarf pattern on a loom | 12/26/2010 |
| Q: I have a pattern for a scarf to knitt on a loom. I'm not sure I understand all the direction. Was ... A: I always start with my carriage on my right ( just habit). Knitting a row to the left would be a ... | |
| empisal knitting machines | 12/24/2010 |
| Q: I have an Empisal Knitting Machine - Model KH230, Empisal Ribbing Attachment - Model KR230, Empisal ... A: Join one or more of the Yahoo groups: Brother Knitting Machines Classified 123 Craft selling making ... | |
| Hand Knitting pattern to Machine Knitting pattern | 12/3/2010 |
| Q: Please explain how to take a hand-knitting pattern and change it to a machine knitting pattern. I ... A: I would explain that the knitting machine only knits stockinette (unless it is patterning). Cables ... | |
| Casting on a Studio 360 Machine | 11/13/2010 |
| Q: I have a Studio 360, it is new to me. I have read the instructions and followed them over and over, ... A: Have you tried an "e-wrap" cast on? Put carriage on the right side of the bed. Pull out several ... | |
| Carriage Jam | 11/8/2010 |
| Q: I have a Knitking KK98 knitting machine that hasn't been used for at least 10 years. When I set it ... A: My first thought is the sponge bar, but you did that. Try removing the new sponge bar and use the ... | |
| Brother - Eldorado Model 35 | 8/16/2010 |
| Q: I was given this knitter with Japanese instructions...do you have any information on this vintage ... A: I have no information about this machine - - sorry. A few years ago I received a knitting pattern ... | |
| repair to knitting machine | 8/6/2010 |
| Q: I have a Studio 360 machine. One of the pins in the drum of my carriage caught on a sinker post ... A: I'm not quite sure what you mean by the "drum" but the carriage is symmetrical. Thur the carriage ... | |
| knitmaster 700 | 6/30/2010 |
| Q: i recently bought a second hand knitmaster 700 i have replaced the sponge bar but i am still having ... A: The radar patterns are an additional accessory. The punch card has to be fed in and then locked in. ... | |
| Garter Carriage KG95 | 6/29/2010 |
| Q: I have just bought a KG95 garter carriage and it works. When I use a garter carriage built in ... A: Usually when I have problems with the garter carriage it is a weight problem, sometimes too little, ... | |
| v/old sidar knitting pattern | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: please put my wife out of her agony,do you know what 1 of 3 & 2 of 2 means in an old sirdar pattern ... A: I do not have an answer yet but have several contacts and waiting for answers. Will be going to a ... | |
| row gauge is off, stitch gauge is correct | 4/3/2010 |
| Q: am knitting a baby blanket. guage is correct per inch but not per row. made in 5 panels. am more ... A: I would keep track of the rows knit when I used up 1/5 of my yarn and make the other 4 panels the ... | |
| reading instructions | 3/25/2010 |
| Q: I have a doll sweater Im working on and it has 29 stitches on the needle and for the next row it ... A: This is shaping by short rowing. You are only knitting on a few of the stitches, not the whole row. ... | |
| LK100 | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: I have a Singer standard 360, bulky 155, mid LK150, plus the LK100. This last one is the problem. ... A: to do an e-wrap push needles all the way forward. I clip the end of my yarn with a bulldog clip and ... | |
| gauge | 3/17/2010 |
| Q: want to rib fabric knitting for vest.my choice of count is 34s combed in 30 dia .which cauge is ... A: For ribbing I usually drop down 2 whole numbers. For example if I knit my garment on tension 8, I ... | |
| Brother G-carriage KG 88 | 3/10/2010 |
| Q: Can this carriage be used on a non-electronic machine, one that uses a punch card? A: I'm checking with some of my sources to be sure I give you the right answer. Be back with you in a ... | |
| Knitmaster 7500 question | 2/24/2010 |
| Q: I recently bought a Knitmaster 7500... the instruction manual explains how to cast on, but I'm not ... A: I am not familiar with that machine but I did find these three sides that might give you some ... | |
| don't know abbreviation | 2/23/2010 |
| Q: I am knitting my first Aran sweater and came across T3B and T3F in a diamond pattern. There are ... A: Stitch Glossary C5B = Slip next 2 sts onto a cable needle and leave at back of work. K3, then K2 ... | |
| Knitting right side wrong side | 2/18/2010 |
| Q: For we beginning knitters, it is necessary to know where the original tail hangs when knitting. Is ... A: I do not understand what you mean by bottom or top. Most patterns begin with row 1 as the bottom of ... | |
| Knitting machine | 12/28/2009 |
| Q: My mum has done a clear-out and given me an Empiral Knitmaster 305 Automatic to sell for her. It ... A: I don't much about that model but you could do a search on ebay and see if anyone else is trying to ... | |
| toyota 787 | 12/4/2009 |
| Q: I recently purchased a toyota 787 with a kr460 ribber. I have cleaned, oiled, replace sponge bars, ... A: When I read your post the first thing I thought of was a bad retainer bar but you have checked that. ... | |
| scarf | 12/3/2009 |
| Q: I am a basic level knitter. I had lots of "left over" yarn from afghans I crocheted. So I decided I ... A: What a nice idea! If you knit a row, turn your work, knit a row, turn your work, knit a row, etc ... | |
| Swatch | 11/30/2009 |
| Q: I made a swatch and want to make an ear flap hat for a man. It calls for 16sts. x 28 rows and 4x4 ... A: Getting the right gauge can be tricky as there are so many variables, needle size, size of yarn, ... | |
| cable | 11/8/2009 |
| Q: Please, how to stitch cable CR3LP and CR3RB. thanks A: I found this site on the new ... | |
| buying a second hand knitting machine | 10/27/2009 |
| Q: Im trying to buy a second hand knitting machine. I wont use it too much or for anything too fiddley. ... A: I do not know for sure but I did find this reference to a 151 using Google Knitmaster (Chunky ... | |
| knitted edging | 10/11/2009 |
| Q: How do you make a tassel looking edge on a hem line without making tassels? A: I,m not sure if this is the look you are going for but I take several strands of yarn, about 10 ... | |
| Casting on Stitches | 10/7/2009 |
| Q: I cast on stitches then knitted 21 stitches from a stitch holder and now I need to cast on more ... A: One way is to increase multiple stitches at the beginning of a row is to knit into the first stitch ... | |
| can this be done & how?fi2hs | 9/7/2009 |
| Q: how can i use a pattern that calls for 4ply yarn & i want to use 3ply yarn? A: Check the original pattern for gauge. You could try using larger needles and see if you can match ... | |
| Knitting Machine Question | 7/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a Brother 810 RrIBBING ATTACHMENT it is correct for my knitter. I am unable to get it to ... A: Put a few needles in work on both beds. Release the ribber to the lowest position. Remove any yarn ... | |
| knitting machine??? | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: I am not sure how light of yarn or how bulky I may use on this machine...any help with this? 2. Is ... A: I was a Toyota dealer in the mid 80's and found it to be a very good machine. One problem might be ... | |
| knitmaster 700 - carriage jam | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: I used to do a lot of machine knitting but due to circumstance it has not been out of the box for ... A: You can try this shop in Indiana. http://www.knitknackshop.com/ You can also repair the retainer ... | |
| Knitmaster F370/270 carriage jam | 6/2/2009 |
| Q: both carriages will go over empty needles separately, but when the connector is in place the ... A: The first thing I would double check is to see that the carriages are fully "seated". The next ... | |
| Knittmaster 700 won't cast on | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: My partners Mum has recently given me her old Knitmaster 700 to help with a buisness I'm trying to ... A: The first thing I check is the retaining bar that holds the needles in place. If that is flat it ... | |
| Knittmaster 700 won't cast on | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: My partners Mum has recently given me her old Knitmaster 700 to help with a buisness I'm trying to ... A: The first thing I would check is the retaining bar. Have you tried to do an e-wrap cast on and ... | |
| Garter Stitich on knitting machine | 3/4/2009 |
| Q: The instructions on our booklet vaguely tell me how to complete a garter stitch could you please ... A: Lets say you want to knit a white scarf in garter stitch. I would e-wrap on over 40 stitches using ... | |
| Garter Stitich on knitting machine | 3/4/2009 |
| Q: The instructions on our booklet vaguely tell me how to complete a garter stitch could you please ... A: In hand knitting, a true garter stitch pattern is to knit a row, turn, knit a row, turn, etc. To do ... | |
| toyota ks950 knitting machine | 2/3/2009 |
| Q: I have followed the book on putting the card in, but the card doesn't turn by its self is it suppose ... A: It has been ages since I worked on a Toyota but yes, the pattern card should turn, one row for each ... | |
| tension | 1/22/2009 |
| Q: I am having great trouble getting the tension correct on my Brother KH970 so that it correlates with ... A: I'm not aware of a tension "rule" but the higher the tension on the main carriage knob, the larger ... | |
| Brother Knit Eldorado Model 35 or KH 35? | 11/13/2008 |
| Q: I found a Brother Knit Eldorado Model 35? I need any information you can give me about this Knitting ... A: I don't know very much about this machine. I do not know where you could find a manual. Perhaps ... | |
| knitting pattern | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: in instruction of knitting what is the meaning of place marker and what is the meaning of * A: A marker is usually used to mark where a pattern starts. Markers are little round plastic circles ... | |
| first time circular needle user ....help! | 11/2/2008 |
| Q: I am knitting a baby hat...cast on 76 stitches, next row k2,p2 to end of row. But stitches 75 and ... A: It should come out. There are 19 sets of 4 stitches each in 76 stitches so 75 ans 76 should be ... | |
| how to convert hand knitting patterns to machine knitting ones | 10/28/2008 |
| Q: I have got a load of hand knitting patterns and would like to convert some into machine knitted one. ... A: The first thing I would do is knit up several stitch gauges at different tensions to get the gauge ... | |
| SRP6ON RIBBER | 10/27/2008 |
| Q: Silver Vicount.SK280 knitting machine,and she is having trouble attaching the SRP6ON ribber to it.Is ... A: I don't have any photo manuals. Maybe one of these sites could get you a manual or have more info ... | |
| Getting scarves to lay flat | 10/9/2008 |
| Q: My Mother has knit some scarves (she is 93 yr old) and now discovers the edges curling up....is ... A: I would lay a soft thick towel on a flat surface and pit the scarf so it lays flat. Then I would ... | |
| Toyota knitting machine | 9/24/2008 |
| Q: i have just been given a Toyota KS777, i followed all the instructions for setting up and manged to ... A: Knitting machines are symmetrical. They also need oil. It sounds like one of the levers is "stuck". ... | |
| yarns | 8/22/2008 |
| Q: i don't know if you'll be able to help me as you live in the US but you mention that you know about ... A: I usually use a thin sport weight or baby yarn. That would be a 3/15 ply. I did buy some beautiful ... | |
| Knitking pc bulky machine | 8/18/2008 |
| Q: I am trying to sell this machine. I know nothing about knitting or knitting machines. I am having ... A: Knitking is a Japan-made machine. It works like a Brother or a Studio. The yarn I use is 4-ply ... | |
| Ribber question | 8/7/2008 |
| Q: I bought a used (I believe new)ribber it has all the parts but a book. It is Studio (printed in the ... A: The stitches on the ribber needles knit with the "right" side or pearl stitch, facing you. The ... | |
| guage | 7/23/2008 |
| Q: "I am a novice knitter. I wanted to knit sweater. I got the pattern from freepatterns.com, and it a ... A: When knitting a sweater with ribbing the gauge is taken on the main body of the sweater. The ... | |
| Interchangeable circular needle sets | 7/14/2008 |
| Q: would like to buy a set of the interchangeable knitting circular needle sets, but are they as good ... A: I have a set like this and I use it a lot. It's good to have all the sizes in one place. The only ... | |
| pattern in Rebecca magazine #34 | 6/1/2008 |
| Q: On Pattern # 2 - "sweater with check pattern" your directions for rows 1-10 are for 2 colors.. then ... A: I am not familiar with Rebecca magazines so I don't have an answer for your color change. Could ... | |
| Empisal Knitting Machine Manual | 5/31/2008 |
| Q: I was recently given an Empisal Machine, but without the manual. Can you help me find one? The ... A: I am not familiar with this machine but I went to Google and found this: ... | |
| Ribber | 5/30/2008 |
| Q: I have only been machine knitting for a year. Last November I bought a Brother Standard Gauge ... A: I do not have any DVD's or videos in my collection. I did find this on ebay ... | |
| empirial knitmastmaster 360 | 5/19/2008 |
| Q: I have just been given a single bed knitmaster 360 but it has no cast on instructions can anyone ... A: I will try and help you. Give me a little time to try and find a manual for you. In the meantime, ... | |
| Knitting: an easy way to change to another colour | 4/29/2008 |
| Q: i need an easy way to change to another color because I'm trying to make a scarf. A: In mid-row, leave a tail of yarn about 4 or 5 inches of the yarn you are currently using. Leave a ... | |
Knitting
Answers by Expert:
Carol Forbes
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions about machine knitting. I am familiar with most made-in-Japan machines, main beds and ribbers. I am most familiar with Studio and Brother. I am not familiar with Passap.
Experience
I was a Studio and a Brother dealer for ten years in Wisconsin. I still knit and design every day.
Education/Credentials
none but you can see my work on my website www.forbesknits.com
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