Rules

Machine Knitting Wiki Rules & Editorial Policy This document outlines the core editing rules, formatting standards, commercial content guidelines, and community policies for the Machine Knitting Wiki. All contributors are expected to review and adhere to these guidelines.

Overview & Mission

The Machine Knitting Wiki is a neutral, community-driven encyclopedic repository dedicated to home and industrial machine knitting documentation, historical preservation, mechanical maintenance, techniques, and community resources.

To maintain high editorial quality, avoid advertising spam, and keep information reliable and durable over time, all contributions must adhere to the five fundamental rules detailed below.

Rule 1: Page Coverage & Link Integration (No Orphan Pages)

Every new page created must be discoverable and properly integrated into the wiki's navigational hierarchy:

• Index New Pages Immediately: Whenever you create a new machine, technique, or reference page, immediately add an incoming link to it from the appropriate index page (for example, the Machines Directory, brand index pages, or the Techniques Index).
• No Orphan Pages: Standalone articles without any incoming internal links make discovery difficult and will be flagged for indexing or cleanup.
• Category Tagging: Ensure every page includes at least one relevant Category tag at the bottom (e.g., [[Category:Machines]], [[Category:Circular Sock Machines]], or [[Category:Techniques]]).

Rule 2: MediaWiki Syntax & Clean Formatting

To maintain clean rendering and prevent wiki parser errors, format all pages using standard MediaWiki syntax:

• Heading Spacing: Always insert a blank line before and after section headers (e.g. == Heading ==).
• List Formatting: Always include a blank line before starting a bulleted (*) or numbered (#) list. Do not run wikitext together on a single unbroken line.
• Standard Markup:
  • Use triple apostrophes for bold text ('''bold'''). Do not use Markdown asterisks (**).
  • Use double apostrophes for italics (''italic'').
  • Use internal wiki link brackets: [[Page Title]] or [[Page Title|Display Text]].
• Machine Infoboxes: For knitting machine model pages, place the standard

Manufacturer
Model
Gauge
Type
Patterning
Needles
Release Year
Accessories
Also Known As

infobox at the top of the article with model name, manufacturer, gauge, patterning type, and release dates.

Rule 3: Commercial Policy, Advertising & In-Production Machines

The Machine Knitting Wiki is an encyclopedic reference, not a commercial directory, advertising board, or affiliate platform. We strictly regulate commercial and promotional material.

1. Machines Currently in Production

We actively welcome technical and encyclopedic documentation for modern knitting machines that are currently manufactured (such as modern circular sock machines, reproduction machines, and 3D-printed knitting equipment):

• Encyclopedic Coverage Allowed: Articles may document the machine's history, mechanical design, cylinder configurations, needle specifications, operation, and maintenance.
• Direct Manufacturer/Retailer Link Permitted: A single factual link to the machine's official direct manufacturer or official primary retail webstore is permitted (e.g., in the references or an external links section).
• No Resellers or Dealers: Links to third-party resellers, independent dealers, auction houses, marketplace storefronts (e.g., eBay, Etsy storefronts, Amazon storefronts), or classifieds are strictly prohibited.
• No Prices: Listing prices, MSRP, package pricing tiers, or fee schedules is strictly prohibited. Prices fluctuate, become quickly outdated, and introduce promotional commercial bias.
• Lists of Accessories Allowed: Objective technical lists of compatible accessories, optional modules, ribber attachments, cylinder needle counts, weights, buckles, and tooling are allowed and encouraged.
• No Marketing Copy: Promotional slogans, sales pitches, testimonial marketing, or buyer discounts are not permitted.

2. Discontinued & Historical Equipment

For vintage, antique, and discontinued knitting equipment (Brother, Singer, Studio, Passap, vintage CSMs, etc.), historical manuals, service guides, and parts diagrams should be documented and cited from open archives, museum collections, or non-commercial repositories.

3. Proprietary Aftermarket Hardware & Third-Party Modifications

• Open-Source Hardware/Software: Open-source projects (such as AYAB, open-source 3D printable CSM files, and community pattern converters) are welcomed and encouraged.
• Proprietary Commercial Modifications: Standalone promotional listings, commercial product placements, or proprietary aftermarket commercial hardware advertisements (e.g., commercial hack-boxes, paid proprietary dongles, or proprietary third-party motor conversions) are not permitted.

Rule 4: Neutral Tone & Communication Standards (No AI Glazing)

• Encyclopedic Neutrality: All article prose must be factual, objective, and neutral. Avoid subjective claims, superlatives ("the best knitter", "miraculous design"), and marketing jargon.
• Direct, Engineer-to-Engineer Communication: Talk page replies, contributor feedback, and administrative notices must be direct, straightforward, and concise.
• No AI "Glazing" or Fluff: Avoid exaggerated enthusiasm, generic corporate cheerleading, or artificial filler (e.g., "Great idea!", "What an incredible contribution!"). Express genuine, brief appreciation for contributor effort in a plainspoken manner.

Rule 5: Verifiable Sources & Authoritative Citations

Every page creation and factual update must cite reliable, verifiable sources:

• Authoritative Sources: Acceptable citations include original manufacturer instruction manuals, service and parts manuals, patent records (e.g., Google Patents / USPTO), museum archives, and established non-commercial historical repositories.
• Citation Markup: Enclose citations within <ref>[https://example.com Source Title] tags in the body text.
• References Section: Ensure the bottom of the page contains a reference list:

== References ==
<references />

• Avoid dead links, unsupported claims, or unverified hearsay.

Community Discussions & Etiquette

To keep discussions organized, please direct discussions to the appropriate venue:

• Article Talk Pages (Talk:Page Name): Use the article's talk page for discussion regarding that specific machine, technique, or citation. If you disagree with an edit or want to propose a restructuring, open a section on the article's talk page.
• User Talk Pages (User talk:Username): Use user talk pages for editor-to-editor notes, procedural advice, and moderation notices.
• Main Page Discussion (Talk:Main Page): Use the Main Page talk page for general troubleshooting questions, feedback about wiki organization, or broad community topics.
• Be Respectful: All contributors must adhere to our Code of Conduct.

Moderation & Approved Revisions

To protect against spam, vandalism, and inaccurate details, this wiki operates using the Approved Revs moderation system:

• New edits submitted by regular contributors are stored immediately and queued for review.
• Revisions become visible to default public readers once approved by a wiki administrator or authorized approver.
• For more information on becoming a trusted approver, see Help:Moderation.