Hello Everyone! This is my first post here after joining the Forum at the weekend. I recently picked up a Brother machine for £50 at a local charity shop and have spent a lot of time cleaning and replacing the sponge on it and finally I’ve got it working. BUT … there are so many tucked stitches going on I can’t actually complete anything. I must add that I am not a knitter either by hand nor machine. My question is why are there so many tucked stitches? It will be knitting fine, then the carriage gets jammed and won’t move any further. I’m to the point of tearing my hair out with frustration. H E L P … PLEASE!!
Ah! The tearing your hair out part of the process! I know it well.
I’m a middle beginner machine knitter (hopefully @Mel61 can help further) but to me it looks like it might be a problem with the yarn getting stuck on the hooks of the needles due to an inconsistency in the yarn itself.
Have you wound the yarn into a cake or onto a cone or are you knitting directly from the ball? I found best results from winding it twice, the first wind tends to be too tight still. If you can feel the yarn as you’re winding it you might be able to pick up on any knots.
The tension looks fine from the photos but it’s definitely worth having a bit more of a play with it. I know you’ve probably fiddled with it loads of times though. I’d highly recommend making a note of all of the tension combinations you’ve tried with the brand of yarn so that when you’ve got the sweet spot you have a reference of what works.
Don’t be discouraged though! Machine knitting is hard but strangely moreish and rewarding and what you’ve done so far is very cool even with the issue.
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Good advice. In addition @flknit5 and @Phyl1knit2 @Beth_Leatherman and maybe @MK_er (for flatbeds) may have suggestions.
In general, the knitting looks very nicely done.
Good morning and thank you for your replies. I have wound the yarn using a yarn winder into a cake. I’m then using the outside of the cone as the feed … just Googled it … it suggests taking the yarn from the inside!!? Oops … maybe that’s the problem. I’m beginning to realise it’s all down to tension 
. Another thought was could it be the needles sticking? Hmm … the yarn itself …? I went out last night to Hobbycraft in the UK and got some 4 ply baby yarn as I’m desperate to make a jumper for my 1 year old neice. I thought a small thing to start off. Patterns seem to be rare as hens teeth and I’m following someone on YouTube for the pattern. Oops … I have to dash now … out for work … catch up later. Have a great day … Jen .
If it helps I have seen a machine knitting monthly magazine in some of the newsagents I go into. WHSmith usually has it. I think it’s cool that you brought it back from the dead!
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Hello Jen, yes, I’d definitely try taking the yarn from the inside of the cake after doing a double wind. These machines are really sensitive to tension and it’ll come out better from the middle.
If the snarling up is always happening in the same spot it may be the needles. They can become bent or the latches don’t open and close as they should. I don’t know if you oiled the machine after you cleaned it up but it’d be worth doing if you didn’t. Sewing machine oil works fine. There are loads of YouTube videos about it.
I found this one that talks through checking the needles on a brother machine specifically.
As far as resources go have you fallen down the ravelry.com rabbit hole yet? It’s a site that has masses of knitting patterns and if you use the advanced search you can filter by machine knitting. Granted there aren’t as many but it may be of help to you. Also, Susan Guagliumi on YouTube is an incredible resource and her books are great too. Once you’ve got the basics down you’ll be able to convert hand knit patterns to machine will little issue.
Let us know how you get on!
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When you are machine knitting, it is indeed recommended to start with the yarn from the middle of the cake of yarn. I am hoping that you have a new sponge strip in your machine? If not, please get it replaced before you knit anything else! It looks like might have a problem with the tension of how the yarn is feeding. There’s a little knob on the tension mast dial. The yarn must be past the little knob and fully seated around the tension mast dial. There are lots of You Tube videos to help you. A good place to start is the ones by Diana Sullivan. Any video with the other mid-gauge plastic bed machines, such as the Studio LK 150 and the Brother KX 350 , will be helpful as there’s not too much difference in the way they operate from your machine.
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Good Morning NeverKnitB4 I am an expat living in Florida and have an older version of your machine a KX350 that I rescued. Using the yarn from the middle is definitely a step in the right direction, I also place my wound yarn in a tall container so it wont jump around my table. I agree with NayPro about a couple of damaged needles, a good test would be to replace them with needles from the outer edges that may not have been used as much. If you need replacement needles Amazon has a good selection at a reasonable price.
Keeping your tension even when knitting can also cause stitches not to knit. I find it best to hook my long Comb on my knitting and add extra weights as needed, move it up as your knitting grows and give a gentle tug every couple of rows to keep stitches even. I made some weights with “S” hooks and fishing weights, I find binder clips and fishing weights are great for the edges.
Unfortunately I have ruined items after using oil and now use spray silicone instead. I lightly spray the entire bed then run the empty carriage across a few times this spreads the silicone on the bed, the needles and inside the carriage. Let it sit for a while then gently wipe the bed and needles from back to front holding the needles at the back to remove any excess residue. If you plan to use “fluffy” yarn doing this first will help reduce the yarn splitting which I see on a couple of your stitches and it washes out of the finished item.
When making a test piece (a swatch) to adjust the tension it is always good to make it a little on the loose side because after it sits a while it has a tendency to shrink slightly. Keep a journal of your tensions and yarns it will save you a lot of heartache later and make it easier for you to use hand knitting patterns on your machine.
I’m sorry this is so long but it is not always one issue that causes a problem I recommend starting small, patience and perseverance. Maybe a car seat blanket would be a good practice piece.
The internet is filled with helpful tips that you can save and make your own reference manual. Craftsy is currently offering a years subscription for $1.49 (about £1.18) for access to Susan Guagliumi’s tutorials I saved them and regularly reference them. I have done the same with Diane Sullivan’s tutorials. Feel free to ask questions as you learn and try to enjoy yourself.
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Gosh, I’ve not much to add to all this excellent advice! I’d definitely have a good look at the needles as it’s a second hand machine, especially with how easily the latches open and close. It might even be worth taking them all out, giving them a good clean and oil, and putting them back. That seems the most likely reason for the carriage jamming. It looks like the yarn has split on the hooks.
A tension issue / imbalance might cause dropped stitches or a really tight section.
It’s worth keeping an eye on the mast spring throughout the carriage pass so that you can stop and make sure it’s not too tight.
Good evening everyone. So much excellent advice I thank you all so much! I’ve been back on the machine tonight. It knits so well on the centre pull. A few issues with what I believe are some of the needles sticking. So I took them out and replaced with ones from the end of the machine. I’ve been following a YouTube video by Ganzi Lifestyle for a cardigan for a 1 year old … all was going well knit wise but I’m beginning to realise my tension is way off so … instead of rushing into things… I really need to do a tension swatch, as my knitting is far too long … On her pattern she says to knit a further 60 rows but my knitting was long enough for a giraffe!!
When I first got the machine I took out all the needles and replaced the sponge which had gone to dust! I haven’t oiled it yet, maybe send for some silicon as suggested 
… I’m now looking to replace all the needles…
Thank you once again. I’ll drop by with my progress or otherwise. Have a great evening.
Jen
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Good morning! Well … I give up.
Last evening was the last straw as I managed to impale my finger on a needle which bonded me to the machine in a way which I hadn’t planned!!
I bought new needles (think it was one of them that got me … it was so sharp) … the balls of yarn are splitting … I managed to get a back for a baby jumper done without incident up to the decrease for the sleeves the other day before it decided not to play anymore …
Last night was just a disappointment.
So ….
Advice for a brand spanking new machine please.
And this machine can make its sorry way back to the charity shop!
Have a good day!
Jen
Well glad you’re not discouraged about machine knitting but ouch! That sounded like a painful decision. I’m sure there will be recommendations for new machines.
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Ah no! I’m so sorry that it attacked you, definitely the final straw!
I’ve got an LK-150 which is a pretty basic machine but it’s easy (knitting machine easy) to use and a massive benefit is that you can buy them new so no frustrating set up, cleaning, sponge bar replacing to do.
The LK 150 has a different gauge to standard knitting machines. The needles are slightly further apart so it works well for DK and Aran yarns.
It doesn’t come with many bells and whistles but you can get extra add ons later.
I got mine from here who happen to be up the road from me but they were extremely helpful and probably answered 10 annoying emails from me before I even bought the thing. 
Let me know if I can help at all!
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Thank you for the recommendation!!
It was my birthday on Friday and mum and dad bought me this machine from the same shop!!
Unfortunately I must be doing something wrong 
….
I’m following a pattern on YouTube for a kid’s jumper which is made with the same machine. All goes well until I get to the neckline/shoulder part. After six attempts I give up as the centre stitches just come off the machine and I’m left with a line of loops straight off the needles instead of the machine knitting them.
It’s not the machine … it knits like a dream!
Sorry to say I’ve packed the machine back in its box until my patience returns or until I can get my head around where I’m going wrong!
I’ve played with it for a full weekend and just ended up angry and totally fed up!
My problem, which I keep reminding mum, is I cannot READ a pattern … I can watch a video and pick it up quite easily …. apart from this particular one obviously 
…
I’ve looked at doing a day’s course but the price is the same as the cost of a machine!!
Maybe it’s not for me after all!!!
Are there any knitting groups near you? Someone there might also be a machine knitter or know of someone who is. The more you investigate and spread the word, the greater the chances of finding that helpful knitter who can give you hands-on advice.
Good luck in finding out the answer!
Hey
Just stopping by to cheer you on.
It’s good to stop and walk away when it’s so frustrating but I’m sure you can return to the project with renewed energy and patience.
I don’t machine knit myself but there is a great forum right here where you can ask for help in understanding patterns. I don’t know how different machine patterns are to hand knit patterns, I’m likely unable to help you myself although would be happy to.
@NayPo has already offered advice and help and we are a friendly bunch here. Don’t give up just yet.
Maybe there are some books you could buy or borrow from your library too.
And Happy Birthday! Whoop whoop 
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Hello! Don’t worry about the frustration- machine knitting is harder when you’re learning than it has any right to be but I promise it gets easier!
Can you explain further what is happening with the centre stitches coming off? Is it the same ones at the same point in the pattern and what are the instructions before it’s happening? I may be misunderstanding but if you get to the neckline then it might be that you’re not meant to be knitting those stitches as later they would be picked up to add a neckline so you may not be going as wrong as you think you are!
If stitches are coming off the needles it might just be a matter of moving your weights. Are you using the weights at all. I tend to move them all up evenly maybe every 5 rows or 10 if I’m being brave
Have you had a look at Craftsy memberships? They often have good deals and they have a couple of machine knitting courses which are good, especially if you can get a membership for a few quid.
If you want to send me the link to the video and let me know at which point you get stuck I can have a look and see if I can help. Honestly, you’ve got this!
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Oh and happy birthday! 
Happy Birthday, taking a step back is a good idea. Craftsy membership is online so you can choose how long to spend on a lesson, you can stop & resume, as often as you need to. The Lk150 machine has a lot in common with your machine so everything you have learnt to this point will not be waisted. Don’t give up you have achieved so much.
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I’m sorry to have missed your post - I only get email notifications for direct responses!
It took me a year to get me LK150 out of the box, and my first project - a simple sweater - was an extremely steep learning curve ( lots of swearing and neck ache!)
But, your skills will increase exponentially!!
Do spend some time understanding how the machine works - the grooves on the undercarriage - and how the different needle positions perform .
I found that the main reasons the stitches came off the needle are:
- Moving the carriage when the yarn was no longer threaded or had dislodged
- The yarn was not running freely enough leading to too tight stitches ( which pings then off the hooks) - keep one eye on the tension spring throughout the pass
- The biggest reason was not enough weight on the knitted piece. You don’t get enough weights with the machine - I bought four more plus made extras weights with coins!
- When you’re shaping ( short rows, or working shoulders with the neck still on) the weight issue is differential and exaggerated
- If you’re asking the machine to work harder ( tighter tension or working two together etc) it helps to push the needles out to D position as it does half of the work of the carriage and tight stitches are less likely to fall off if they’re already behind the latches.
For me, the key issue was getting the tension balance right - weights on the piece and the ease of flow of the yarn.
Keep going!
Also, this author has some great books - I started Ruth this one!
Hand-Manipulated Stitches for Machine Knitters
Guagliumi, Susan