Hi everyone just wanted to let you know i have finally finished the hand knit cable zip up jacket - thank god!!!! I was getting fed up of it towards the end. Now i can finally get bac on my machines and get some knitting done.

Catch you later

Phil

One Sleeve, One Front!!!

Well, ive already started knitting my first project on the 155 Chunky - i love it!!! And love that im using thicker yarns, which to me look more "modern" and in trend than finer yarns. Dont get me wrong i love my standard gauge machines, but somehow i feel the chunky will make thinks that i feel i can wear more.
Plus with it being winter now, i want to make warm thick wooly jumpers, and you just cant do that on the standard gauge machines.
I think for men, thicker yarns work better, so ive been making a slash neck pullover.

I got the pattern from a machine knitting book, but obviousy me being me ive altered it slightly and have added some fair isle on the sleeved - just a little bit to break the colour up.

Im using some lovely soft aran wool in a walnut colour, and have used cream as the contast for the fair isle. I think its knitting up fine, but i still will need to block it out ( i have a tendancy of knitting thinks and not blocking - ooops)

The front is the same as the back so for now ive done the front, and a sleeve.

Now just for the other two pieces, then to sew it together. Thinking of crocheting it together, what do you think?

Talk later

Phil

My new Knitting machine - Knitmaster 155

Yay its here - even if the courier cracked my end cap (good job i unsured it - so already ive had to order a replacement end cap for the machine and the lid!!!!) Wont be using UPS again!!!!

I love it!!!!! Cant wait to start using it and making some things.







Catch you later


Phil

New Knitting Machine!

Oooops!!! Ive done it again! Bought another machine, however this time its one ive been after for quite some time now. Its a Knitmaster 155 Chunky Punchcard machine, and to be honest im pretty excited!!!!

My aunty had a chunky one, possibly a 155 and she loved it. Im hoping to be able to use up some of the thicker wools ive been collecting over the past few months, and also want to start converting some hand double knitting patterns onto the machine.

Apparently its in great condition and the toolbox is complete and all punchcards are present so im not complaining. When it arrives il still give it a good clean, take needles out, change spongebar etc.

Cant wait to get knitting on it.

Now all i need is the SR155 ribber for it!!!!!

Im still here! Current and recent projects!

Hey everyone, thought I would post some photos of my recent and current knitting projects, both machine and hand.

In terms of machine knitting i recently finished this reverse stocking stitch jacket on my Knitmaster Instant.




Ive made it for my friend who loves little jackets like this. Its actually a hand knitting pattern that i found in one of my mums books so i converted it onto the machine by taking a tension swatch and matching it to the tension in the pattern.

Its made out of some brown double knitting, and has knit up lovely. I thought to be different i would use wooden buttons as the wood would complement the brown autumnal shade of the jacket.

Obviously my Knitmaster Instant doesnt have a ribber, and i cant stand doing latch ribbing on machines, as it takes forever, and quite frankly is quicker to do the rib by hand. So what I did for the cuffs was just to pick up stitches with my needles and knit a 2x2 rib by hand. I think it turned out ok, what do you think? I hope she likes it anyway.

Other projects currently on the go... this grey 4 ply reverse stocking stitch cardigan knitted on the Knitmaster 700.




I came across this bargain cone of 4 ply at a local craft shop for £4.99 for 500g so i wasnt complaining as i knew i would have enough to make a cardi with it. I was also looking out for some grey 4 ply as i wanted to make something to go with some grey skinny jeans i have. I've knitted everything for it and now i have started to sew it up together. I had been looking around on ebay for an SC-3 linker so i could start sewing things together on the machine, however i hae discovered its just as easy to do it on the machine without a linker!!!!! So i have just sewn the side seams on the 700 but i will do the sleeves by hand. Again you may notice that they are hand knitted ribs - me and the ribber for this machine still are not friends and it doesnt want to play, so i have given up for the time being! Anyway hopefully it should be finished soon - just hope i dont start another project.

Here is the left front of the sporty lumbar jacket ive started on the Knitmaster 302:


Its actually from the Knitmaster 4500 manual/pattern book and knitted in black 4 ply acrylic. Even though the pattern is for the 4500 ive done it on the 302 mainly because i trust my life with this machine. It never lets me down, never drops stitches and is just my favourite machine in the world. Shame i dont have the ribber - i will get one someday i suppose. As a result i have just done a 2x1 continental welt as the rib instead.

Im quite chuffed with how the pockets are knitted - looks like ive done it right.



In terms of hand knitting ive been busy trying to finish an aran cabled jacket knitted in Patons Wool Aran. Its knitting up really nice and when its washed it comes out really soft (as i have already knitted a ribbed vest in it before) I cast off the first sleeve yesterday and have cast on and knitted the rib for the second. Just need to get the sleeve done then i can put it together and do the collar. Im very pleased with how the cable pattern came out as its my 'big' project with cables by hand. I had made a baby hoody jacket with cables for my friend but that was just simple 2x2 cable twists. This is actual aran cabling!!! It doesnt have buttons but will have a zip to fasten it up at the front. I hope you like it.



Anyway thats all for now.

Catch you later

Phil.

Where have i been?

Well, I thought it best to do an update on here seeing as i havent done one in such a long time - sorry!!

Im still knitting, and of course have several things on the go - when do i not?

Ive been making the odd thing on the machines now and then like a black v neck sweater, 2 boleros for my sister, gloves, scarves, jacket for my friend...... list goes on!!!

Ive really got back into doing some hand knitting too, and have made 2 baby jackets - one of which was cabled and took me forever but got it done in the end even if i had to redo the hood twice!
Ive made a hand knit rib textured sweater, and currently have an aran cabled knit zip through jacket on the needles as i speak.

Ive started knitting a grey 4ply cardigan on the Knitmaster 700, allthough i wanted this to be a tucked stitch cardi its ended up being just a reverse stocking stitch one. I tried doing it in the tuck stitch using punchcard number 1 from the basic Knitmaster set but its just not working right - even thought i have done the tension gauge and everything. The 700 does this to me sometimes - likes to mess me around, and dont even get me started on its ribber!!!! Talk about temperamental! One day it likes to work next it doesnt at all! Then i end up putting it all away and reverting to old faithful - KM302!!!! God i love that machine - never lets me down!

Anyway il hopefully be trying to get some pics on here of what ive been doing but for now - happy knitting guys!!!!


Catch you later

Phil

UPDATE

Just an update as to where i have been. Had a few life changes this passed month, so things have been a bit difficult, to say the least. Fail not tho i have started knitting again, and currently have something still on the 302 to finish off, and ive also started something else by hand - but its chunky so wont take too long to finish that. Will get back posting, when everything reurns to some sort of norm!

P

V neck navy tank top finished, and progress on blue cardigan

Ive started knitting a light blue cardigan with some 4 ply - i did the back tonight and will probably start the fronts tomorrow.

The navy tank top is finished now and i wore it yesterday. Must say im very pleased with it seeing as it is the first thing i have made for myself on the knitting machine.



Thats all for now

Phil

Heres an update photo of the navy blue jumper im knitting - i did the armbands and neck band today. Now just needs armbands turning up and sewing together!!!



Thats all for now!

Phil

Knitmaster ES 302 and V Neck Tank Top progress.

Here are some photos i have been meaning to upload - i really do love this machine, i have had some fun with it since i set it up last friday. It took me a while to give it a good clean and service, as it was very filthy and the back rail was virtually black! Sponge bar has been replaced and machine is working fine - apart from two damaged needles in the centre of the bed that ive replaced with ones from the ends.





Its a lot smaller than i imagined, well, compared to the 700 its much smaller. Ive set it up where the 700 was and the 700 has gone underneath the table for a while.

So, here's the start of what ive made on the 302 this afternoon. Its a V neck tank that i'm making out of some navy 4 ply i bought in town yesterday. Ive also made a pair of socks in a lighter blue 4 ply and they turned out great, even if a tad too small. Just got the ribbed arm bands and neck band to do then its done - hope it turns out okay.


Thats all for now

Phil

Knitmaster 302

Hurray!!! My new knitting machine has arrived and i love it! I spent all of yesterday giving it a service, took all the needles out and soaked them in white spirit, cleaned and oiled them individually, cleaned the needle bed and carriage, and refurbished the sponge bar - its now like a brand new machine! Im really pleased how its cleaned up and looks really smart.

Going to have a bit more of a practise on it before i make something, and need to experiment with the pattern dials too.

All in all very pleased! Will post some photos soon.

Thats all for now

Phil.

Knitmaster 700 Navy Socks

Ive just made these blue socks on the KM700 with a cone of blue 4 ply i had. I think they turned out ok, but i think i will do the hem using the ribber next time rather than just doing a welt, as it feels a bit loose around the ankle - never mind!




They feel alright to wear though, nice and soft. Im posting early as we are off out to watch Ipswich play at Scunthorpe - come on Ipswich!

Thanks to Susan for the sock pattern. :0) http://susyranner.blogspot.com/

See you later

Phil

Fairisle Cushion Cover

This is something i made last week on the 700. It was really made by accident as i was messing about with the machine doing some test fairisle swatches and seemed to like this pattern - so, i randomly decided to make a cushion cover.

It literally took me 10 minutes to knit the front and 10 for the back, then Mum sewed it up on her sewing machine and voila - quite chuffed really, and everyone seems to like it!

Talk to you later

Phil

New knitting machine!

Im very excited as ive just won an ebay auction for a knitting machine and i won! Its a vintage 1967 Knitmaster 302 E -ive always loved this machine the very first time i saw one - it just looks brill and apparently is real fun to play with as it uses pattern dials instead of a punch card facility. No more machines from now on though - some of my others are going to have to go in the attic!!!

The only machine i want now is a Knitmaster 155 chunky punchcard machine and ribber, but i think im going to have to save up for that one.

Cant wait for it to arrive!!!

Knitmaster 700

So, a while back i posted a comment saying how ide got my Knitmaster 700. Well ive been meaning to upload some photos - so here they are! Ive knitted a few things on it so far, but im still in need of some practice. Its set up in my mums study, she has her corner, where she has her sewing machine set up and i have my corner! My other two knitting machines are in boxes under the table - more on those later on.




The machine is about 24 years old - so its older than me!!!!! The ribber is an SRP-60 but i dont think it is my friend as it keeps being silly and not working properly! Im sure we will get on one day.

Thats all for now

Phil

Hand Knitted Jumper - Photo Update

Here are some photos i have taken of the hand knitted jumper. Two sleeves and the back! The back has a pattern that creates a textured tile effect, and the top is formed by working in moss stitch/seed stitch, whichever you want to call it. It looks huge but when put next to a jumper that fits it seems the right size.


Here are the sleeves. The pattern told me to knit in the tile pattern from the garter stitch hem to just over the elbow, but i decided to just stick to stocking stitch and just do a garter strip across the middle. I think it looks okay - i just thought it would be a bit over the top with more of the tile pattern.

Ive just started the front, so no doubt that will take me a few months - wish me luck!

Talk to you later

Phil

Hand knitted jumper and general update

Well i havent done a blog entry in a while mainly because ive been busy settling into my new job, and also because ive been getting to grips with my new knitting machine.

Firstly ive managed to complete another sleeve of the jumper im hand knitting my partner - he seems to like it so thats good! That means now i have done the back and both sleeves. Ive cast on for the front but now just needs knitting! It will get done in the end.

Today im going to go out and buy some new rechargeable batteries for my camera, then i will be able to take some photos of the things ive been knitting so i can upload them to here.

Talk to you soon

Phil

Well here goes for my first blog entry!

So, I have set up my Knitmaster 700k now after a long time cleaning and oiling it. I cheked the sponge bar, and of course it needs replacing. I have ordered a new one from BSK and hopefully that should arrive within the next few days.
I have had the SRP-60 ribber out and given that a clean too. I tried to attach it to the knitting machine but realised that the auxillary brackets are missing from the machine. Got back in touch with BSK and luckily they have them in stock so will be ringing up in the morning to order those; then i can get the ribber attached. Granted, i wont be using the ribber for a while as i want to get to grips with the knitting machine itself first, then i will have a go with the ribber.
I have packed away the Swiss machine as we just arn't getting along! I do everything it says in the instructions but it always keeps dropping stitches. Maybe i will get it out again in a few weeks and give it another go. Ive also packed away my trusty Knitmaster Instant machine as i was getting short of space, and what with setting up the 700 it needed to go away for a while. Ive made a few things on it so far, including a shrug and a scarf, but im sure i will be getting it out again soon for another go.
I have been through all these patterns, books and clippings given to me by my aunt. The box she gave me also contained loads of things from my Grandma's knitting collection, including some paterns and bloomin loads of punch cards. Im telling you, my Grandma was obsessed with punch cards! There are hundreds of them, and some really nice ones too.
I got the Knitmaster LC2 lace carriage out of the box today to give a clean. I cant get the sinker plate off at the moment so will try again soon, but anyhow it had a clean and got put back in its box until i feel confident enough to have a go at some lace.
Did some more of my hand knitted jumper that im knitting for my partner. I think he will like it. Its in brown DK and is a textured tilework pattern. Ive done the back, one sleeve, and am currently on the 2nd sleeve. He seems impressed with it anyway!

Thats all for this post but will be posting again soon.

Talk to you soon

Phil