Another Example Of Lace On Brother 900

This lace pattern is from the Harmony stitches book, and it turned out really nice! I programmed it into the machine, via the buttons on the panel. It's easy to program, but it's time consuming and the margin for error is high! Just wish I could get a stitch cartridge for this machine. The built-in patterns are a bit limiting, as there are only 50.

However, knitting lace is really a great experience on the Brother. Although, the type of yarn is important, I tried Bernat's Lustersheen, and it wasn't too happy with it, I suppose it's a bit too heavy.

Knitweaving On Brother KH-900

I finally made some time to try knitweaving my the Brother KH-900 (after all this was the reason why I got a Brother in the first place), and I must say, it was a wonderful experience!
I tried the first method in the manual and wasn't too thrilled about this, it's a bit awkward as the weaving yarn tends to get caught in the brushes. The second method is champs! It's where you lay the yarn over the needles, and knit back. This method really allows one to control the tension on the weaving yarn. It's very relaxing, and you soon develop a momentum of laying the yarn and knitting back.

This method really makes knitweaving so easy! I used the weaving arm on my Singer 700, and while it was really easy to use, I much prefer the Brother any day!

I really love knitweave, it's my favorite "stitch" on knitting machines, as it produces such a unique fabric, which is stable and has so many uses! I can see it being excellent for cut&sew garments.

Okay, swatches, swatches, now on to some real garments perhaps? The biggest problem I have is lack of a yarn stash! Hard to believe, isn't it? But, really my yarn stash is so poor, it's rather unfortunate! I really like knitting from coned yarn, but getting good cone yarns with nice colours locally, is near impossible!! And even if nice colours are available, the fibre content is invariably synthetic.

I am still looking for a source that has nice natural fibre yarns, in great colours at the right price. Bit a tall order, but not too much of a cheek, is it?

My New White KM Table

I have been thinking about getting a new table for my White machine and motor for sometime now. I did some searching on the internet, and couldn't find anything I really wanted, and that was locally available.

While searching, I came across a picture of an industrial sewing machine, and instantly I thought, why not use an industrial sewing machine table? Just put a another piece of wood on top to cover the cut-out?

I phoned one of the local industrial sewing machine places, asked some questions, and was told, that I could get a flat top, with no cut-out!!!!! What an added bonus to my idea!!

So I went down there, and looked at the table, it was perfect!! These tables are solid, the legs are made of steel, the top is a 2.5" formica covered particle board, with plastic bound edges. Just perfect (after all they are designed to house a machine head with a serious heavy duty motor). All for less than a $130 (for a new set) or $70 (for a used set)!!!!! So, I got one.

Now my machine is sitting on a nice sturdy table and I have lots of room for other items, the top measures 48" by 20". The legs come in two shapes, a K shape or an H shape, and the height can be adjusted. There is even a scroll design bar on the bottom where I can attach the motor foot control, either I can screw it in or, use velcro (this is where the industrial machine foot control goes).

White EMS4 Motor For Superba/White

I finally managed to get all the missing parts for the EMS4 motor. I set it up last week, and did a trial run, it ran fine, and the carriage moved back and forth as it was supposed to, but my gosh IT IS LOUD!!!
I don't like the foot pedal, and wish it could be run without the pedal and have some sort of speed control, like modern sewing machines do.
Initially, I wasn't too happy with it. Yes, it runs fine and everything works, but the loud noise, the speed, and the fact that my table is just not sturdy enough, left me feeling less than thrilled.

I then decided to actually knit a sample with it, so I set up the machine to knit a slip stitch pattern. Well, it is very impressive and I thought, hmmm, I can get used to this. I can see it being very useful, if I have to knit a lot of scarves or other items like that, and for DBJ.

Although, it will have to used during the day only, or else I will have complaining neighbours!! I also want to find some way to control the speed, better still if I can find a speed control device and I will have to get a sturdier table, actually a "real" knitting machine table would be nice :).

All in all, it's a great motor, it's a nice size and sits very neatly on the table, not taking up very much room.

Design-A-Pattern Knitting Software

I just purchased this software from Ileen's Needlenook. I charted up a pattern last week, and I am in the process of working on it at the moment. It's very easy to use, and I love the row-by-row count, as it reallys helps to keep one's place in the knitting. Full size graphics can be printed out, to use for blocking or for the charting device.

Measurements, ease and shape can be adjusted very easily and the knitter has full control over designing, which is very nice!

I will post pictures when I finish the jumper, just have the back to knit. I knitted the sleeves first, and blocked them yesterday, they look quite good and the size is spot on!

I Hate Sewing Darts!!

I have to vent, I cannot stand sewing darts!! Such annoying pesky, nasty things and I can't stand them! I avoid them as much as possible, convert them to seamlines, tucks etc. whenever I can.

It's not because I can't sew them, I can sew them, but the shaping and pressing after is so finicky! If the fabric is not the right type (like a cotton that refuses to budge and stay in place), it's even worse. Co-operative woollens are the best kind, they really do shape nicely and keep their shape.

I just finshed two dresses for a friend (in cotton batiks), and there were ten darts on each dress, ugh!!! I have told her the next time no darts, they will have to converted to dart seams, or else I am not sewing for her LOL!

However, I know the importance of darts for shaping, so I quite respect them and their valuable use.