Techniques

Techniques

Fundamentals

• Cast-Ons – Placing the initial stitches onto the needles of a knitting machine to begin a project.
• Increases (Machine Knitting) – Techniques for adding stitches to widen fabric or shape garments.
• Decreases (Machine Knitting) – Techniques for decreasing stitches to narrow fabric or shape garments.
• Bind-Offs – Securing the final stitches of a project to prevent unraveling.
• Tension – Controlling stitch size and fabric density via dial and tension mast adjustments.
• Gauge Swatching (Methodology) – The process of knitting, treating, and measuring a test swatch to calculate correct garment sizing and dial settings.
• Grafting (Machine Knitting) – A finishing technique used to join two sets of live stitches seamlessly.

Single Bed

• Fair Isle – Electronic or punchcard two-color stranding.
• Tuck Stitch – Textured fabric created by holding multiple loops on a needle.
• Slip Stitch – Also called "Part," where the carriage skips needles to create patterns.
• Lace – Eyelets created via manual transfer or a dedicated lace carriage.
• Plating – Feeding two yarns to create a "lined" effect with different faces.
• Weaving – Trapping a thick decorative yarn onto the surface of the knit.
• Mosaic – A color technique where the color can change every two lines.

Double Bed

• Ribbers – The ribber bed attachment, racking, needle alignment, and double-bed operation.
• Jacquard – General concepts of needle selection, single-bed floats, and industrial circular jacquards.
• Double Bed Jacquard – Multi-color knitting without floats on the back; the specialty of the ribber.
• Ribbing – Standard 1x1, 2x2, and specialized industrial rib structures.
• Circular Knitting – Using both beds to knit a seamless tube (perfect for socks or hats).

Specialized & Hybrid

• Short Rows – For shaping shoulders, heels, and complex 3D "sculptural" knitting.
• Intarsia – Large blocks of color without floats (standard for the Brother Intarsia carriage).
• Garter Stitch – Creating purl rows using the Garter Bar or G-Carriage.
• Garter Bar – Manual accessory for manipulating stitches and creating garter stitch.
• Garter Carriage – A specialized motorized attachment that automatically knits garter stitch on standard-gauge electronic beds.
• Color Changers – Single and double bed attachments to automate yarn switches.
• Row Counter – An indispensable accessory for tracking pattern rows and progress.
• Yarn Winder – A tool for winding yarn into cakes for even feeding during machine knitting.

History & Pattern Drafting

• Historical Machine Knitting Patterns – The evolution, math, and adaptation of early patterns for vintage machines.