Silver Reed AG11
| Silver Reed AG11 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Silver Reed |
| Model / Name | AG11 |
| Type | Intarsia Carriage |
| Compatibility | Silver Reed LK150, Silver Reed LK140, Silver Reed LK100, Knitmaster Zippy 90, Silver Reed LKS100 |
| Release Year | 1980s |
The Silver Reed AG11 Intarsia Carriage is a specialized accessory designed for select Silver Reed mid-gauge knitting machines. Its primary function is to enable the creation of intarsia patterns, allowing knitters to incorporate multiple colors into a single row without producing floats on the reverse side of the fabric.
Functionality and Stitch Capabilities[edit]
An intarsia carriage, such as the AG11, operates by allowing individual strands of yarn to be worked only in the specific areas where their color is required. Unlike fair isle knitting, where unused colors are carried across the back of the work, intarsia knitting creates distinct blocks of color with a smooth, float-free reverse side. This makes it ideal for designs featuring large areas of solid color or geometric shapes.
The AG11 is a manual carriage, meaning the knitter manually selects the needles and guides the various yarn strands. It replaces the standard main carriage when knitting intarsia patterns. Its design facilitates the management of multiple yarn colors, allowing for intricate designs to be knitted with precision.
Compatibility[edit]
The Silver Reed AG11 Intarsia Carriage is compatible with a range of Silver Reed mid-gauge knitting machines, including models often rebranded under names like Knitmaster, Studio, or Singer in various markets. The confirmed compatible machines are:
- Silver Reed LK150
- Silver Reed LK140
- Silver Reed LK100
- Knitmaster Zippy 90
- Silver Reed LKS100
These machines typically feature a needle pitch suitable for mid-weight yarns, making them versatile for a variety of projects.
Setup and Operation[edit]
To use the AG11, the knitter typically removes the standard main carriage from the machine bed and replaces it with the intarsia carriage. While specific, detailed setup and installation steps are best found in the accessory's dedicated instruction manual or the compatible machine's manual, the general process involves:
- Attaching the Carriage: The AG11 carriage is placed onto the needle bed rails, similar to the main carriage, ensuring it moves smoothly.
- Yarn Management: Multiple bobbins or balls of yarn, one for each color block in the design, are prepared. The AG11 provides mechanisms (often yarn guides or slots) to manage these individual yarn strands.
- Needle Selection: Needles are manually selected to the working position according to the intarsia pattern chart.
- Knitting: The carriage is pushed across the needle bed. As it passes, the knitter manually feeds the correct color yarn to the needles in the active color block, twisting yarns at color changes to prevent holes.
The AG11 simplifies the process of intarsia knitting by providing a dedicated tool for managing the multiple yarn ends and ensuring consistent stitch formation for this technique.