Knitting Machine Museum's Summer Update

Garter Stitch knitwear

My latest project, a simple cut and sew garter carraige knit. I used cut and sew because I do not have the patience to shape with the garter carriage, so I knitted two squares for the front and back and 2 oblongs for the sleeves. No one should ever think that cut and sew is an easy task for those like myself who have little if any dressmaking skills, I simply frogged it based on another cardigan I did years ago.

My two points are its perhaps a little too short for my buxom figure and if I pull it around it does just about fit. I have to be honest and say it was an exercise to get my machines working again.

Whilst this was knitting I decided to tackle the task of changing the batteries in my E6000 consuls - all four of them, no mean task as it involved the dreaded soldering job again.

Passap E6000 consul

Lucky for me, my daughter was here and was able to provide a well needed extra pair of hands wiggling the battery off whilst I tried to melt the old solder. As there were 4 of them one of the batteries was re applied by mistake and lucky for me, it was my oldest consul, still I will try another day, The worst job was on my latest consul, ie the one that runs the 4600 motor, it was more complex,. I have no idea whether my battery change worked or not, the consuls all lit up at the end of it so fingers crossed.

I should say that the leaflet from R J Croucher was a godsend, I would never have been able to do it wihout this excellent tutorial,

Brother 940 Knitting Machine with ribber

Prior to this I had changed the capacitors on my Brother 940 - yet another soldering job and it was not a good one either but oddly enough it worked, so that should be all my Brothers changed now,. I did buy the batteries, but a stupid error on my part made me think the batteries had gone, when it was actually a programming mistake - all the years working on these machines and still I forget the procedure.

Phildar Pegboard Knitting Machine

The other news is that I rescued this Phildar from the mud at a local charity place, the electronics were saturated as were the various bits and pieces of the machinem such a shame, so I cleaned it up and plugged it in, changed a fuse but it would not select so I have laid it aside for another day. I had all it cards with it as it and the pegboard had the pegs stored safely inside. I will take a look another day 0 it only cost 20 euros so even if kept for spares it was well worth it - its a Phildar and a lovely colour,

Knittax AM3 Knitting Patterns

I purchased another Knittax AM3 with ribber with everything including instruction manuals (all in French) stored safely in a purpose built suitcase,. I am sure the good condition of these machines is because they are stored so well. Best of all I came with the original pattern books with samples of the patterns. One thing did surprise me was the weight of the wool, it looked not far from double knitting - must give it a go. The Knittax is a special machine as it has a handknit finish with the most unusual patterning system ever, More info on this machine and great links on my previous blog.

I really must start to tidy up this old barn - its is just such a mess, and I miss my other half as he was able to help me move my machines around. There is so much I want to do, but have either not got the skill set ie putting up shelves etc or the physical strength . Still the best news is that my daughter at long last seems to be interested in machine knitting, and I have given her one of my precious E6000's along with a 4000 motor - she has already knitted her first jumper and a few pairs of socks so fingers again crossed that she continues.