Here is a list of hints and tips I've collected over the years from seeing questions and answers on the Bond List. I guess it's my version of the most frequently asked questions on the list and my answers to them.
I've found that some of the links don't work anymore, I'll work on it and see if I can't fix them
When
your knitting hits the floor roll it up and secure with long knitting
needles woven in and out of the roll of fabric or secure with large hair clips
from the dollar store.
At a loss for what to do about edging your finished items? How about fringe knitted on the machine? Here you will find many different options for putting a perfect finish on anything!!
http://webpages.charter.net/langkilde/Fringes.html
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
How
to change a broken needle:
pull
out the needles under the bar that sits above the offending needle (best to
mark it with a piece of tape just incase they go flying). Then using the needles like a fulcrum push up on the ends of
the needles very slowly and carefully, you will see the bar start to move a
little, it's best to push up a little on each end of the bar until you get the
whole thing to pop up. Be
careful, the whole thing can pop up quickly and needles fly all over (that's
why you mark the offending one, easier to find!).
Then
you just replace the needle and pop the bar back down into position.
Just
go slowly and easily and you'll be fine.
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Changing from keyplates to hand knitting needles is easy, check it out...
http://www.cara4webshopping.com/cara_free/keyplate.htm
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
The
Basics of knitting on the Bond/ISM/USM:
BVC � Bond Video Club has three CS�s of Bond owners on this list that graciously offered to video tape themselves making things and explaining techniques. It�s a Club Video thing so please do not sell these � only give them away to other knitters or return them to the club so they can be distributed to others.
Download videos here:
http://knitfits.theotherbell.com/bond-video-club.htm
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Collected Wisdom from the Bond Knitting Machine List
http://personal.southern.edu/~williams/machinek.html
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Seam
As You Go
http://www.heidisknittingroom.ourfamily.com/Seam-as-you-go.htm
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Invisible,
Blind or mattress stitch:
About.com
http://knitting.about.com/sitesearch.htm?terms=Mattress%20stitch&SUName=knitting&TopNode=3042&type=1
Sweaterscapes:
http://www.sweaterscapes.com/inv-seam.htm
Kitchner
stitch:
Best
tip is to knit a few rows of waste yarn on each end to be grafted, then try to
duplicate the look of knitting by starting on the st closest to the needle
(yarn tail) following the path of the other sts - it's easy when you see how
the waste yarn goes in and out of the sts.
"Kitchener
Stitch is called after Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, British military hero of
Boer War and WW 1. He associated himself with a Red Cross plan to dragoon US
womanhood into knitting 'comforts' for the men in the trenches, and
contributed his own sock design, which included a squarish 'grawfted' toe.
Hence the Kitchener Sock; hence Kitchener Stitch. Truth is indeed stranger
than imagination . ." http://www.software4knitting.com/
Kitchener while piece is still on the machine:
http://www.magiccables.com/tip2.html
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Grafting
http://www.heirloom-knitting.co.uk/grafting.html
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Converting
patterns to your gauge:
The
Knitcomp calculator download instructions can be found at:
http://www2.datasync.com/orion/knitcomp.htm
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
No
Brainer Garterbar:
http://members.aol.com/knitnotes2/home/Workshop/GarterBar/GBOne.html
I
just made one of these for my 9mm Studio 155 and it works just fine, not as
smooth but sure helps shorten the time it takes to transfer all those sts when
you are doubling up across a row when knitting the crown of hats.
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Cast
on comb directions from original post by Jennifer:
"Hi!
Yes, I made a 'cast on comb' for my bond using a threaded 1/4-inch rod,
a package of 100 nuts, and two packages of LARGE plastic-coated paperclips.
It works, it's not exactly aerodynamic, or aesthetically pleasing, but
it works!
Here
are the instructions:
After
posting the link to pictures of these cast-on combs, I received several
requests for a repeat of the instructions on how to make them. So, here, in one message, are both the link (removed link -
doesn't work any more) to pictures AND the instructions for assembly.
HTH.
Instructions:
We
bought 1/4" threaded rod, which comes in 36" lengths at our local
hardware store. DH cut it into
workable lengths, and we filed the ends smooth.
Then we threaded 5/16" (there was some discussion on which fits,
just try and find nuts that will fit the 1/4 inch rod) nuts onto the rod (I
have a handicapped sister, who actually thought this part of the job was
fun!). We snipped and squeezed
jumbo paperclips so they had a hook on both ends, and placed these between the
5/16" nuts. Voila! The paperclip hooks are exactly 8mm apart, and it hangs
easily onto the knitting! As a
bonus, this hardware is heavy enough by itself that no additional weight is
necessary. It would be easy,
though, to suspend extra weights where required.
No
glueing! No measuring! (Actually
I finally glued all the clips to the rod cause they would come off all the
time and then the nuts would get lose and I'd have to screw them back in tight
again)
Jennifer
Rockwood,
Ontario"
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Making
your own center pull balls of yarn:
http://knitting.about.com/library/weekly/aa010603.htm?terms=yarn+winder
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Software
that will chart a sweater pattern to your specifications and give you
directions in Bond language!
KNITWARE
Easily
chart your own patterns and print out with machine knitting directions,
a 5 star program!
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Beginning Afghan pattern and the site of the Bond Friendship Afghan Project:
http://www.homestead.com/BondClub/FriendshipAfghans.html
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Knitting
Companion program from Jim's site:
http://www2.datasync.com/orion/knitcomp.htm
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
socks
socks socks
http://www.northtipton.com/rozporte.htm
& click on Beginner's Baby Sock
http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/socks/marksbirkysocks.htm
http://www.stephthornton.co.uk/knitting/bond/list/socks.htm
http://www.dimitysdrygoods.com/SurpriseSock.htm
http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/socks/marksbirkysocks.htm
http://www.knittingfun.homestead.com/files/ladies1002.htm
Hand
knit toe up socks
http://www.socknitters.com/toe-up/
tutorial on hand knitting toe up socks.
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Here
is my list of favorite email lists for knitting:
Bond
Knit List:
www.knittingtoday.com click on Bond Club for information and to join
Archives
for above list:
Iwannaknit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iwannaknit/ but choose NO MAIL or you
will get duplicates of everything.
Knitalong
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hobbymachineknitalong/
Incrediblesweatermachine
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/incrediblesweatermachineclub/
Knittingmachines
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Knittingmachines/ Big Knitting Machine list, lots of expert help when you
find another knitting machine at your doorstep!
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
Sometimes you have problems with yahoo lists
or
forget how to get on or off of them...Here's how:
It
doesn't do much good to ask the list to unsubscribe you from a list, it's
within your power to do so and truth be known for most things only you can
modify your preferences.
To
subscribe/unsubscribe from any group on yahoo go to:
Sign
in with your name and password. (What
you joined yahoo groups with)
Your
groups page will come up with all the groups you belong to on the left of the
page. You can change you email
subscription or unsub there by clicking on the group you want to change, then
look at the right side of the page for the link: Group Member [Edit My
Membership]. Be sure to click on
Save Changes when you are done. This
is also where you can change from digest to individual email or go to no-email
if you are going on vacation.
<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>*<*>
That's about it for now!