Artisan Knitting Machine
 

Hello I am considering purchasing a knitting machine & Have some
questions.

Would the Artisan double bed standard knitting machine knit popcorn
stitches? I believe it has a built in ribber. Can the double bed knit
socks and mittens? It evidently does circular knitting. Does this mean
that the/a carriage is moved around the two beds to create a tube?
Would a linker not be needed and how does a linker work!? What
books/pamphlets would provide an overview of machine knitting?

Thanks in advance for responses and suggestions about where to get this
information.

Karen

Artisan Knitting Machine
 

This should have been mid-gauge-- Karen

On Jan 25, 6:57 am, wrote:
Hello I am considering purchasing a knitting machine & Have some
questions.

Would the Artisan double bed standard knitting machine knit popcorn
stitches? I believe it has a built in ribber. Can the double bed knit
socks and mittens? It evidently does circular knitting. Does this mean
that the/a carriage is moved around the two beds to create a tube?
Would a linker not be needed and how does a linker work!? What
books/pamphlets would provide an overview of machine knitting?

Thanks in advance for responses and suggestions about where to get this
information.

Karen

Artisan Knitting Machine
 

Would the Artisan double bed standard knitting machine knit popcorn
stitches? I believe it has a built in ribber. Can the double bed knit
socks and mittens? It evidently does circular knitting. Does this mean
that the/a carriage is moved around the two beds to create a tube?
Would a linker not be needed and how does a linker work!? What
books/pamphlets would provide an overview of machine knitting?

Hi Karen,

By popcorn I imagine you mean tuck - creates a bobbly effect. All
machines can tuck. Having a double bed means you can produce rib
fabrics and circular fabrics, so socks are easy, check out the free
penny sock pattern at www.dimitysdrygoods.com.

There are two kinds of linkers - ones that fit on the bed of the
machine to cast off sts, and standalone ones, usually cylindrical,
that can be used to seam pieces. Of the former I have the Brother one
which is cheaply made and not worth the money - it doesn't do a very
good job. Of the latter I have a Hague linker and it chain stitches
pieces together - very handy!

The Hamlyn Guide to Machine Knitting (try ebay or Amazon) is an
excellent beginner's book with some simple patterns.

There are also some very active MK groups on Yahoo - try
knittingmachines as a keyword, also Machknit (www.listhost.com)

HTH

Jane

http://www.needlesofsteel.blogspot.com/
MKing in the UK

"You make it idiot-proof, they just build a better idiot!"

Artisan Knitting Machine
 

Hi Karen,
The Artisan midgauge machine can knit popcorn stitch.

If you mean to do it with a tuck stitch, this is done manually by
moving certain needles to hold position and then setting the carriage
to tuck. The midgauge is a manual machine which means it does not
select the needles ( other machines might use a punchcard or
electronic patterning to select the needles).

Another method of doing popcorn stitch is to pull certain needles (2
or 3 usually) to forward position and wrap those needles a few times
by hand, then manually knit them before using the carriage to knit the
row. This method can be used on any knitting machine.

You can also manually knit 2 or 3 stitches repeatedly before knitting
the row with the carriage. This is closest to hand knitting popcorn
stitch. This can be done on any machine.

The Artisan midgauge can knit circular by setting the knobs and
buttons on the main bed carriage and the ribber carriage (which are
connected) to a certain setting so the main bed knits when carriage is
moved to the left, and ribber bed carriage knits when carriage is
moved to the right (or vice versa). Each carriage will knit a row then
slip (not knit) on the return row. They knit alternately. Two passes
of the carriage makes one circular row of knitting. This knits a tube
which looks flat when on the machine, but like a tube when off the
machine. By using short rowing techniques you can knit the heel of
the sock too. The toe is usually decreases and bind offs.

A linker is not needed.

For online help before buying a knitting machine try http://www.yarn-
store.com then click on machine knitting and search for the articles
on finding out about knitting machines before you buy them. Angelika
has lots of advice.

Hope this helps,

Rita



On Jan 25, 6:57 am, wrote:
Hello I am considering purchasing a knitting machine & Have some
questions.

Would the Artisan double bed standard knitting machine knit popcorn
stitches? I believe it has a built in ribber. Can the double bed knit
socks and mittens? It evidently does circular knitting. Does this mean
that the/a carriage is moved around the two beds to create a tube?
Would a linker not be needed and how does a linker work!? What
books/pamphlets would provide an overview of machine knitting?

Thanks in advance for responses and suggestions about where to get this
information.

Karen

Artisan Knitting Machine
 

Thank you both, Rita & Jane,

Very good information. I have been checking out Anjelika's site at
least once a day while I wait for the KM. I joined the Artisan Machine
Knitting group on Yahoo and read that casting on has been very
frustrating for some new machine knitters. It will be a learning
experience.

Karen