Knitting a Flat Blank on a Loops & Threads Knitting Machine
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2024
- At long last, I have a demonstration on how I make a flat knit blank on my Loops & Threads Knitting Machine! amzn.to/2JX1Yxi I used a single strand of KnitPicks Swish Worsted weight yarn shrsl.com/wfos to make this blank (Affiliate Links.) I will show the process from multiple angles so you know what to look for to make sure you catch the last stitch of the round.
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@Kaisha Bain 9 red
This is one of the best tutorials I’ve seen on the subject, thank you!
I'm so glad that i could help!
You're the first one that put it put in a way I could understand this. I was completely defeated. Thanks a lot!
Finally a review for machine that I don’t have to purchase of Amazon
This one is higher quality than the amazon ones I've tested. Although it is still plastic so i'm not sure how much use it can take.
I have watched several, SEVERAL videos about casting on and making a panel, but yours is the first one that actually shows what to look for when turning around. This is what has frustrated me up until now. Thank you!
I'm so glad that this was helpful! It took me a while with some frustration to learn what to see for a successful turn.
Thank You so much for this tutorial. I have been wanting to make some baby blankets and other things that use a flat panel. I have spent the last 6 months trying to follow other videos, and getting scared and upset at my knitting machine, I watched your tutorial 1 time and I was able to start and continue working on my first flat panel baby blanket. You are truly a life saver.
I'm so so glad this was helpfuL!
this is exactly the one I was looking for!!! thank you for this easy tutorial
I'm so glad that I could help!
what an excellent demonstration... flat panels are a bit more challenging!
Thank you!
I tend to make circular ones since they require a little less focus, but in general I like dyeing the flat ones better.
Oh my god! I have been watching many videos and non of them could help me. I was about to trove my knitting mill out when I saw your video...you are a knitting mill life saver 💝
Glad I could help!
Thank-you for showing us in great detail how to make a flat blank. This was very helpful to me and many others. You explained it very well. Thank-you again for sharing this with us. Have a great day.
You're very welcome! I'm so glad that this is helpful.
thank you for the video🙏🙏 didn’t see great reviews about the loops and threads machine but i bought it anyways and thanks to your video i’m having a ball!! i love it, currently making a dress🫶🏽
You’re welcome 😊
Thank you, I have this same machine, I read the manual watched a video, read the manual watched a video. Found you and then figured out what I was doing wrong. THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU !!! I wish I could thumb up you twice... Lol
Glad I could help!
Thank you so much! I just got home my Prym knitting machine and was struggling to figure out the panel knitting especially the sides. I’m so excited to give it a new try based on your very detailed and informative tutorial.
I'm so glad I could help!
I'm surprised how smoothly and quietly this machine knits. Very nice!
It really is! I do find that there is some variability on these plastic machines, some are a lot less smooth even with in the same brand.
🌺🌻🌹Very thorough demonstration! Excellent tip re needle catching thread as you go to the last needle & come back again! Thks for sharing!
My pleasure! You're so welcome.
It's interesting to see a close up view of how these machines work.
Thanks! When I realized what to look for when making the flat blank it helped me go a LOT faster and without making so many mistakes. :)
I have to get one of these now that I am no longer wooly challenged. I did hand knit a couple blanks while I was practicing my basic knit stitches. So if I can get two days in a row of nice weather, I will dye them with my crocheted blanks. But a future purchase it must be, since I have bought ALOT of wool yarn the last couple months, my husband has declared I have enough for now. We just won't show him what I get from the destash sale. Shhhhh! everyone, it will be our little secret!
LOL!
Very good demo- The KnitPicks Swish Worsted seems to work very well in this machine! Thanks for sharing!
I love the swish line sooo much. I would almost swap entirely but I do love using non superwash wools, too.
Clear instructions so appreciated! Thank you.
You are so welcome!
The best explanation ever! Thank youuuu! Congrats! 👍👍👍
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks so much for this! Really liked how how up close you got. I can’t wait to try this😀
YAY! I'm glad that it was helpful. I wanted to really be able to show what it looked like at the edge of the blank. :0)
This was a very good demonstration and camera work, it was very helpful, thank you for sharing. Cheers!
My pleasure. I'm so glad that I could be helpful!
I just ordered mine a few weeks ago. I think it's defective because it catches like crazy. Either way, I was able to see I love knitting machines! I can't wait to get a working one.
You should definitely exchange it. I hope that you get a working one, soon. The plastic ones can be finicky but I've been happy with this for making blanks to dye and unravel.
Thank you for this! I really. I do appreciate that you have shown us how to make panels with your machine. Your machine looks like it does a pretty good job knitting. I also appreciate that it is not an Addi! Most of the reviews I have seen are all for addi machines. People are more likely going to buy a more affordable machine. The Addi isn't always in everyone's price range. They are ridiculously exspensive. I would like to get a machine, but I want it to work well "enough."
What knitting machines have you tried? And which one do you prefer besides the Addi machines. Everyone has reviewed the Addi to death, plus I cant afford a 300$ machine I will only used for certain projects. I would love your opinion or anyone else's in the comment section, for that matter! We all have similar reasons we want a knitting machine for and our crochet community is full of amazing creators! Who best to ask then them? I would appreciate any opinion! 🤗 thank you!
I only use knitting machines to make blanks to dye gradients and then unravel, so I'm not looking for the best knit stitches exactly. This also means that the more expensive machine isn't worth it for what my purpose is. (Although this one is still really expensive, in my opinion, for a piece of plastic.) I've tried some of the singer knitting machines, I think I have two different versions, there are some other videos here on the channel.
This is amazing to me. I didn't receive clips with my machine. I have a Sentro no stitch counter. Thank you so much.
The Loops & Threads machine came with the clips, but I'm sure you could use any type of clips to help
Just order one cant wait
Awesome! I love love love dyeing blanks.
Thank you so much for this it has helped me understand a little more abought using these machines
You are so welcome!
hey sis thank you for the vid
This was very helpful. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you , bless you
You are so welcome!
Thank you soooo much it makes so much sense! I was so confused
Glad it helped!
Woohoo you did it!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you so much! I didn`t know that I can knit flat with this thing!
It is slower than going in the round, but for different applications it is nice. :D
I'm just wondering can you use the panels as a scarf as well and I like the demonstration pretty well
You could definitely use the panels as a scarf. For me, personally, I find the gauge to be a little looser than what I prefer to knit by hand, but I think that this machine does a fine job creating an even fabric if you're patient. :D
The big Addi Express is now $350.00!! on Amazon....still I ordered and am anxiously waiting for delivery
Question, does the machine not automatically make that stop, or do we have to stare at it, and make sure we catch the hook?
The machine does have a stop, but I've found if I'm not paying attention it is easy to accidently go to far or to not have the yarn catch at the edge. I can go faster than what I've shown but I do just pay attention to make sure the yarn catches on the last hook I want the piece to go to.
Thanks for making this video!
You're very welcome!
On my left side my yarn is just bunching up. It's not falling off the hook so there is like 10 loops on that one hook and when I can't off it just falls apart. What am I doing wrong I've tried two different yarns I'm able to work in the round but this panel 🤦🏾♀️
This is frustrating! You need to watch that the loops are catching, and if it isn't then you should help it using a crochet hook. If I notice something isn't catching properly, I try to stop to fix it before going on. (I don't recommend just going backwards because this can remove all of the loops from the machine.)
I was having some trouble with the end stitch on both sides having missed or large loops, found letting the yarn pass under my left hand as I cranked that I started getting better edges. Seemed little extra tension helped.
oh interesting! I found that extra tension made it harder for me to get the blanks done. I think it can depend a lot on the yarn... and the knitter. ;)
Hello I have brought 2 machines from Amazon they were pink and white. They were dropping or missing stitches so I returned them. Is this machine good if so where did you get it and how much.
Thanks
Hi Teresa, This is the Loops and Threads machine from Michael's. It is a bit more expensive than the singer ones on Amazon, but if you get a good 40-60% off coupon for Michael's then it isn't so bad.
All of these plastic knitting machines will drop stitches if the tenison isn't right or if you go too fast. I try to keep an eye to make sure that the little hook is catching the yarn each time and you can see the previous stitch get popped off. Of course, I'm knitting these blanks to dye and then unravel so I don't mind dropped stitches as much.
Good luck!
Can you possibly do a demo on how to put together a blanket from these panels? I am having a hard time deciding whether to keep mine or not....are there other things you can make with success on the circular machine? I just can't conceptualize ....
thank you
Hi Barbara, I don't use this machine to make finished knit items. I make "blanks" - panels and tubes to use for dyeing gradient yarn with the intent to unravel them.
If you wanted to join panels together, you could whip stitch them, or do a crochet join like the one i did here: th-cam.com/video/x9SYMtcpPk0/w-d-xo.html
I now see exactly what I was doing wrong. Thank you so much!
You're very welcome!
Can you please make a video of changing yarn colors on the flat panel? I can’t find one anywhere!!!
Hi Jennifer, I don't use the knitting machine to create finished items, I make blanks that I dye and unravel again to knit with - so this isn't something that I have experience with. I would do the change at the end of a row - cut the yarn leaving a 6" tail, add a new one in to place at the end and then weave the ends in once the fabric has grown a couple of inches. (Off the top of my head)
My son by one for my birthday and I can wait to do it
YAY! I hope that you have a blast.
What are the pros/cons of flat blank vs tube blank? I've only recently discovered your channel, but I do love your videos!
Flat blanks are a bit easier to handpaint if you want to make a design. Of course, you can do some really cool two sided patterns on blanks that are in the round, but if you want to do stenciling or draw a wild design, then it is nice to have the flat blank.
I like the lops and threads machine because it makes blanks that are wider than the Singer knitting machine (it has almost double the number of hooks so you get wider blanks).
ChemKnits Tutorials Thank you!
Could you make a bunch then sew together for a blanket?
You absolutely could! that's not how I use these machines personally (I want quick knit pieces to dye and then unravel again) but if you try to go a bit slower and are patient you could make a blanket.
Good morning chemknits
Iv just come across ur vlog and im so amazed at how good it is
Iv just bought my 2 addi machines and cant wait to make some kemo hats 4 the hospital where my sister goes 4 her treatment 4 the other patience there
Please can i ask u how can i make a flat blanket 4 my sister for where shes watching tv and 4 her to have on her bed?
Im not sure the flat one u done is wide enuff
Please if u have any hints and tips 4 me as i have dyslexic and need all the help i can get?
Thanks again 4 this greag vlog i really understand it and its so helpful 4 me so thank u again❤❤❤
Hi Angela, I haven't tried using an addi machine before so I'm not 100% sure on how it compares to the plastic ones more marketed towards kids. I think the way to make a blanket would be to either make flat panels and then stitch them together, or you could make multiple tubes and stitch those together so you have a double thickness in the blanket. Good luck!
You’re such a darling with a beautiful heart. Never seen this before
Awe, thank you so much!
You make it look so easy. I am watching your video and am paying close attention to my stitches, but I keep dropping them. What am I doing wrong?
If the stitches are dropping the hooks likely haven't caught the yarn, or else the hooks haven't gone all the way beneath the last stitch to secure it. I always watch for 1) the hook catches the yarn) and 2) the hook goes beneath the previous stitch so it can push it off.
I've ended up with multiple dropped stiitches in the past, unfortunately. I still like this Loops & Threads machine better than the singers that I have.
This is very useful demonstration but after I tried, the yarn was loosen and not look like as in the vdo. T_T
Thank you so much! I was considering buying this machine and found your video very helpful.
I'm glad that I can help! I probably wouldn't recommend this for making finished knit objects, but it is PERFECT to use for making blanks for dyeing.
THANK you!
You're welcome!
I have watched and tried to follow along several times, still can't seem to get it. Wash rags can be tube shaped right?😖
I've found that a few of these plastic knitting machines don't work as well for flat tubes. I have one (in a different brand) that just doesn't handle the back and forth.
But if you're making wash rags ... absolutely they can be tubes! Best of luck!
What if that last stitch doesn't go down below the last stitch and you can't go any further with the handle? I have a prym maxi and it just won't stitch the last stitch properly before I hit the block and am forced to return...
I think if the last stitch won't go down then you can't really use it for a flat panel.
@@ChemKnitsTutorials well, in the meantime I ve found a way. It can be done when I use less stitches and therefore more space to move the handle after the last stitch. But it the machine doesn’ t do what it should have.
This machine is unavailable. Does anyone know what machine can switch to do panels like this one?
Not a cheap plastic one with this many stitches. The Singer knitting machines did panels but they wouldbe more narrow.
what you do with A flat panel is it a scarf
You certainly could make a scarf. I personally use these panels as blanks for dyeing - I'll dye a gradient or striping pattern to unravel and knit by hand into the finished garment.
So you saying this can make a baby blanket all this time
I don't think I'd use this matching for a finished garment, personally. The panels are still rather small, only a foot or so wide, so it would be narrow for a blanket on its own.
For me, The yarn keeps bunching up on the end and doesn’t leave the hook. How do I fix that?
Are you using the hooks that come with the machine? I find that it needs a bit of tugging at the beginning to amke sure that the yarn has properly slipped off versus still staying on the hook. If you watch each previous stitch get pushed off while going slow, then it gets a bit better. Good luck!
Can you switch from panel to tube stitching in the same project 🤔 i want to make a hood but not sure it its possible?
It is possible, but I've never tried it so I don't have advice. it is technically possible for sure.
Micheals has been running 50% one item, (this is Michaels only product I think) that is the way to buy this, otherwise $70 and not worth it at that price. I went too quickly on mine and the plastic gears stripped so had to exchange for another. I got quite a few mistakes on the sides so I am eager to try using the clips at the side, because I put clips on the bottom and let the blank hang through an upside down bar stool, so now I will keep moving the clips up. My edges got raggedy, doubled fingering worked OK.
I got mine with a Michael's coupon, too. You can find it on amazon, but it is a lot more expensive there. (Likely a reseller) :)
I bought one 5 days ago and I am still trying to get the main roads started I hit number 2 that is fine but when I go back work to number 37 it always comes off
There are always a couple of hooks that won't catch when doing a flat blank.
Was it supposed to come with clips? Mine didn't come with any, nor was it in the contents list or instructions
It is possible that they updated the kit since I purchased mine. Mine came with these clips and they were mentioned on the contents.
@@ChemKnitsTutorials thank you for replying! I found out that I can use hair clips and achieve the same affect!
I've tried using this machine to make a flat blank but for some reason the gears seem to make a noise and it's hard to turn. I've checked the tension and made sure it's not too tight and have no problem making a tube. What could be the problem?
Diana Taylor I've found I need the tension to be super super loose. It is possible some of the gears are stripped so it will only turn well in one direction and not back and forth. :(
Hi my name it's Anay Juarez and I wants to know if you can doing a crochet huot in this machine. Please I really appreciate your time to helping me out. Thank you.
Hi Anay! Unfortunately this machine only does knit stitches and not crochet. I think it would be hard to get an adult hat out of this since there are only 40 some stitches and the thickest yarn you can use is worsted weight.
I have one of these I have not used it yet can you knit socks on it and and can you please show me how to use this machine and what I can actually net on this machine easily I have the machine and like I said I have not used it yet I’m still using knitting needles to network but I only have one hand and I love Jeanette can you show me what is best needed on this machine and what you can I also have a knitting table that I can set up and with but I haven’t yet started that I did have it up in my bedroom but I had a good day for renovation and I have not put it up yet the same with this with this thing to
I do not use this machine to knit any finished garments - I use it to knit blanks (tubes or panels to dye and then unravel.) I have never tried knitting socks on this machine.
Where do you find a machine like this at
Loops & Threads is a Michaels brand so you can find this at their store (or at least on their website if not in store.) I would absolutely wait to get it with a coupon because otherwise it is $$$
Very helpfull
I'm so glad I could help!
Thankssss u !!!!
Glad I could help!
Where is sound?
can you make these panels shorter than the total needles on the machine?
Yes, You just need to pay attention to where the turn would be. In making the larger panel I was able to crank until the machine stopped to let me know when to reverse, Just watch to make sure the yarn is picked up before you turn.
@@ChemKnitsTutorials oh okay cool! thanks for the reply!!
salam can i make a pull with it ...if yes plliz hoxw
How much does a machine like this cost
$74.99 - which is WAY too much IMO. I would wait for a 40% off coupon whichMichaels has often.
How much is the chem knits knitting machine?
I don't have my own branded knitting machine. ;) This one is $75 at Michael's now so it is very pricy for a plastic knitting machine. I'm sure I got mine at 40% off with a coupon which is still pricy. It does work better overall than the singer ones, but there is a cost benefit analysis for sure.
Would a single strand of fingering weight work with this technique?
Absolutely! Thinner yarn shouldn't be any problem for the machine. Bulky weight yarn might be a bit too thick for it to handle comfortably, though.
How do you connect the pannels together to make the blanket?
Great question! I would probable do a mattress stitch for something more hidden, or you can do a whip stitch in a contrasting yarn if you want to see the stitches. I'll be honest though, I only use these panels to dye and then unravel, I don't make finished knit items out of them.
Can you use any number of stitches for a panel?
Yes
hi! have you ever dyed with dry onion skin? I saw an historian type of spinner weaver expert mention it as a way they dyed wool back when.
I have not... yet. ;) I'm actually collecting a lot of onion skins so I could do some dyeing with them.
ChemKnits Tutorials cool! I wonder how many skins it would take per how much yarn?
whats the gauge on this machine?
Good question! I'm not sure in absolute, but it does depend a bit on the tension that you give. I find the gauge to be a bit loose with worsted weight yarn overall. (this is not a helpful answer, I don't have the machine nearby to check the gauge myself at the moment)
@@ChemKnitsTutorials thank you for answering this is very help full here's maybe a better way to ask with worst yarn number 4 about how many stich per inch?
can I use a number 4 on this? I just bought my machine today
Yes. I have used anywhere from fingering - worsted on these machines. thicker than worsted would be hard. But the machine does a great job with double stranded fingering weight yarn.
Can you use thicker yarn
You can use up to Worsted maybe heavy worsted weight yarn. I find that going to bulky weight with these types of machines puts too much stress on the gears and is hard to do. (I can do two strands of fingering but 2 strands of DK is also really hard for it.)
Can you do rib stitches with this machine?
Oooo... good question. I don't *think* there's any way to do without manually removing the yarn from the machine to make the purl stitch.
@@ChemKnitsTutorials thank you🧶
Yes you can. Check out yayforyarn channel
What is the purpose of a blank?
Great question! I use blanks like this to dye long gradients or random asymmetric colorways. I dye the blank and then unravel it to knit or crochet with the yarn.
Can yes real thick yarn on them
No, this doesn't work well on super thick yarn. I wouldn't go thicker than worsted weight or the machine will start to struggle.
Can you make scarves with this machine?
You can... But I personally wouldn't actually use it for a finished knit garment. I think the gauge is a little loose for my taste and it is pretty easy to make mistakes. I use it to make blanks that I'm going to unravel versus something I want to keep.
^^is just my personal preference. I like this better than the singer knitting machines. I know some people make things that they are happy with.
ChemKnits Tutorials I don’t think I’d mind a looser tension. I crochet and it takes me forever to make a scarf. I’m not novice at all it just gets boring lol!
Ah, in that case then I think that it should be fine, especially if you're not trying to go too fast. I make mistakes on this sometimes, but almost never if I'm paying some loose attention. While cranking away watching TV, I can get more errors, but I don't mind as much for a blank.
I have made an adult hat on this machine and with this machine. It comes down to watching the tension of your yarn, from the ball or skein to through the tension gauge. I don't run my machine to fast, this way I can see if it drops the loop and I can then put it back on and keep going.
Also I use Red Heart #4 yarn and it works good.
Sharon at Moms with Yarn gave you a shout out on latest video and I like what you do and subscribed.
Thank you for subscribing! Welcome to the channel. :)
What is a blank?
A knit blank is a piece of knit fabric that you can dye and then unravel to create unique patterns. This is a great way to make gradients etc.
I just got this, and I have followed your directions very carefully and it still doesn't work
Oh no! :( What problems are you having? There is always the possibility that you got a defective machine and should exchange it.
Do they make an electric one?
I don't think so. If they did I'd love one!
Have your man build you a fulling milling machine that will tighten up those fibers"""Wet Friction Causes shrinkage
I don't want the fibers tight here because I plan to dye and unravel the blank. The looser the blank the more color penetration you can get. :D
ls that supposed to be a scarf can you do a baby blanket ty
I'm making a knit blank to dye and then unravel to knit into something else. I know some people who knit actual finished items with these but I haven't tried it myself.