[Nfb-krafters-korner] Machine Knitting

[Ramona Walhof]

Cindy, it depends on what kind of machine you get.  If you get an electronic 
machine, you do all the counting an changing with a computer.  With the 
mechanical one, intarsha would require some counting, but the yarn is 
managed by the machine, so you don't have to worry about tangling. I have 
not done intarsha, but I think I understand the concept.  I have done some 
textured design, and it does require some counting, but you repeat rows, and 
that is just as fast as the normal stockinette rows on the machine. I had to 
work at increasing and decreasing, but I am getting better at that.  I have 
mastered sweater sleeves, at least up to the underarm.  Making the back of a 
sweater takes about 3 hours including the ribbing and the shoulder shaping 
which I do by hand.

The biggest challenge for me is keeping the tension exactly the same, so 
that the stripes match up from the front to the back.  If I knit by hand 
with circular needles, I just go around and around and never have to worry 
about that.  It takes some practice to put a piece on themachine and take it 
back off.  But that has become pretty easy for me by now.  I like standing 
up and being a little more active when making a large piece.  Then I can 
relax in my recliner for the finish work.  I can make a baby afghan in a day 
and spend a couple more doing borders by hand, but it is done.  Often I used 
verigated yarn for a baby afghan, so you don't need much more design than 
that.

  I have made place mats and covers for foam cushions which are very quick 
and fun. I make lots of gift bags.    .

Becky does different kinds of things.  She can speak for herself.
Ramona
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "slery" <slerythema at gmail.com>
To: "'List for blind crafters and artists'" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 2:42 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Machine Knitting


> There are at least two people on the list, and I think they are both 
> totally
> blind, that use a knitting machine. If you need to do plain stockinette on
> large sections in one color, then a machine is good for that. I however, 
> saw
> a video about various COLOR changing techniques and it seemed very tedious
> as a sighted person, and from her explanations, I didn't think it would be
> worth the trouble as a blind person. Changing color on needles seemed far
> easier than having long lengths of yarn that you had manage to not tangle 
> in
> the machine, counting to know what stitches to pull for that color, and 
> then
> changing to your next color. Of course, this is just my opinion. It is NOT
> that a blind person could NOT do it, it is that it would be easier to do 
> on
> needles.
>
> Cindy
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Nfb-krafters-korner
>> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of sunshine
>> Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 9:53 AM
>> To: nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Machine Knitting
>>
>>
>> Hi, Cindy!
>>
>> I agree with you that machine knitting would be tough at best
>> for those of us who are totally blind and that needle
>> knitting or loom knitting would be more feasible! I have seen
>> a knitting machine, the frocess was was explained, and
>> believed that I as a totally blind person wouldn't find it
>> difficult! I have nowhere to put a machine! Smiles!
>>
>> Hugs
>>
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> rg/slerythema%40gmail.com
>
>
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