Split Knitting Personality: knitter who really enjoys using machine knitting and hand knitting in the same sentence, oh, same garment!
If you’ve been a subscriber of any of the knitting tomes, sooner or later you’ve come across an article about the Process vs. Project (I think I got that right) Schools of Thought about Knitting.
Some knitters just enjoy the Process of the deed itself – the stitch by stitch relaxation, watching the garment Grow under your hands, the visceral, organic connection one makes with FIBER…
The Project Folk are goin’ for the Gold – a race to that new jumper! Something to brighten up the grind of the Daily Landscape – a Fashion Statement that needs to be spoken sooner rather than later…
I would put myself 99% smack dab in the Project group. I consider my Stash and the End Results of my Labor as PURE WARDROBE ENHANCEMENT! If I’m not going to wear it, I won’t waste my time making it.
This does NOT, however, mean I don’t ADORE the Process.
I am truly under its spell…
How I get that hot little item in my hands is where the Split Knitting Personality comes in…
Hand Knitting — Process
___________+
Machine Knitting — ProductADD the two together and VOILA!
WARDROBE!
Nothin’ crazy about that!
AND nothing too far afield of the Sanctity of the Process…
After I machine knit the Stockinette parts of the garment, they are all finished by hand knitting.
Many people refer to their hand operated Knitting Machines as Stockinette Looms – and believe me, while you’re moving that carriage back and forth manually there is a *weaving* type vibe going on. Instead of stitch-by-stitch knitting that is accomplished with traditional needles, you are making row-by-row progress.
…to be continued
read the Complete Notes: Machine Knitting HERE
Hey, thanks for sharing this ~ I am really interested in the potential of combining both methods. I have a Bond USM but have only used it for blanket squares so far. I’ve been a little wary, but will gain the needed confidence with you showing me the way!
My interest in machine knitting is getting seriously piqued here! I’ve steered clear of it thus far because my [insert scary music] mother in law machine knits, which kinda ruined the whole idea for me, but you’re making it sound so enchanting I feel like getting me a bond right NOW.
sometime ago, i asked you about your Bond USM and you kindly responded. it’s definitely on my wish list, i just need to find a proper place to put it. although i’m someone who is more process oriented, i do not relish doing miles of stockinette.
Yeah!! I see knitting machines as a creative tool. I just got one (haven’t even opened the box yet . . . why is it so heavy??), and I’m already daydreaming about what I’ll make. I definitely agree that wardrobe enhancement is key :)
I really have to figure out how this thing works.
Very cute sweater, by the way!
Hubby gave me a Bond last year on Mother’s Day and I love it and my 3yr old likes to help me ‘knit’ on it. It’s a permenant fixture in the diningroom. I was able to get 2 other Bonds dirt cheap from co-workers because they couldn’t figure how it worked. You can look at ebay and see how many people are selling their Bond because they don’t like using it.
The LK150 (or any KM besides the Bond) is much easier to use because it has wheel brushes to prevent the knit from ‘jumping’ out, which can be a problem with the Bond, if you don’t use enough weights.
I’m hoping Bonne Maria will have pictures of her Bonding?? That would be cool! (…yes, I hang out with little kids.)
When you post again, could you mention if you do short-row shaping on the bond, or waist shaping?
I was wondering how you got so much knitting done so quickly. I thought, wow, she must be some kind of crazy fast knitter to get so much done in such little time. I also thought, she must be in good shape, she never mentions carpel tunnel.
Actually – this is the first sweater I’ve knit on the machine in over two years! I made some sweaters in the Fall/Winter 20001/2002 but all of the other sweaters in my galleries are hand-knit…
I just knit ALOT!