If you have a knitting machine that can do patterning (punch card or electronic) you can probably make fabric like this. The technique is called "knitweave" and you can use yarn that is much too thick for the knitting machine for the face of the fabric.
I made the fabric for these cushions (which, BTW were not designed to be placed on the red upholstery in the photo) using a thin acrylic yarn from Michael's (Woolike) for the base. In the cushion on the left I used 3 strands of Woolike in different colours for the face but in the one on the right, I used Lopi which is a bulky wool yarn.
Making this fabric couldn't be easier than it was on my Brother 892 punch card machine. I punched a card from the Harmony Guide to Machine Knitting Stitches (a great resource). The Brother machine selects the needles ahead of knitting the row (as you can see at right) and it was a simple matter to lay the face yarn over the selected needles and just knit across.I'm fascinated by the fabric this makes. It is very thick and stable across the width (since the face yarn is mostly laid straight, not knitted) but stretchy in the length. I'm sure I could make fabric for a very warm jacket...
At left is another piece I knitted with a different card, showing the colours of my Mom's couch upholstery.
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| Front/back |
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| Extreme close up |
Always blown away by your machine knitting posts. Such creativity and technical mastery is awe inspiring. Always thought as a child that these machines were magic and produced woolly jumpers at a glance but not the one at our house which lived in the attic!
ReplyDeleteLOVE!!
ReplyDeleteThere is a local woman who has been in the machine knitting industry for decades and sources, refurbishes and sells machines. She's currently on the hunt for a machine for me. She had a beautiful KH950 that she demoed for me but that was a bit out of my price range as a beginner. I can't wait!! :)
I wish I knew where you lived because I have a knitting machine that I do not use. Please contact me if interested.
ReplyDeleteMy email is mjb325buddy@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI have a knitking kh891 and Bulky kh260, both with rubber attachment. Where can I get a refresher course, to get back to using them both after 30 years of not knitting?
ReplyDelete