Finally Unboxing My LK150 Flat Panel Knitting Machine...and Quickly Getting Humbled by It

[@penelope-oe2vr]

Dont give yourself a hard time. This is a professional level knitting machine for say fashion design students. These arent just sticks and strings. 😂😂🎉🎉🎉 congratulations lucky girl. Hope your yarn budget is BIG

[@janatherton9194]

My first few times with my LK 150 were very similar! When you get the little loops at either end, or your stitches at the ends don't knit off properly, sometimes that can be because you don't have enough weight on the edges, or you have gone a little too far past the end of your row and the yarn gets caught up on either another needle, or sometimes on the brushes on the underside of your carriage. Claw weights can help with that, I use mine and move them up every 10-12 rows, as I knit. I purchased a couple of extra ones as well, so that I can have some extra weight across the row for heavier projects. For the most part dropped stitches can be picked up with your latch tool and you can frog back stitches one at a time to the beginning of the first row where all the stitches are ok, it takes practice and sometimes it can just be quicker re-caking your yarn and starting again! You can use a variety of yarns not just worsted weight, I knit fingering sock/weight yarns at around 2-4 on the dial, sport at 4-5, DK at 5-7 and worsted at 7-9, depending on how thick it is and you can knit chunkier yarns using every other needle. Make samples and swatches and keep a notebook, or notes for yourself online - that can help if you use similar yarns for multiple projects. You are doing well, there is a learning curve, but I think once you have time to sit with it and just experiment, you will get there! 😊

[@MazeCrochet]

Oh my gosh, thank you for all the wonderful tips! I really need to sit with it off camera and experiment, with no plan for content in mind. And then bring it back in a video when I feel more prepared.

[@janatherton9194]

@@MazeCrochet You're welcome! I look forward to seeing how you get on with it! I made lots of cowls and samples before I made garments, just trying lots of techniques out. Creative Tien on you tube has some really good tutorials for the LK 150, I found them very helpful.

[@Some_Chick]

Remember to go very slowly and don’t forget to breathe when getting frustrated. I got my lk150 last year and still barely even used it. It takes sooo much practice but it’s worth it.

[@MazeCrochet]

Thank you for the support! It's a lot to get out and set up, so it may end up being a "once in awhile" endeavor for me too.

[@thelotdieulande]

You're very funny. You made me laugh

[@MazeCrochet]

Thanks!

[@app103]

I managed to land a great Ebay deal on a vintage Brother KX-350, in mint condition, for under $100. I was all set to do the recommended restorations, cleaning, and replacing the sponge-bar with plastic tubing, when I found out it had already been done for me. The KX-350 is essentially the same as a LK-150, with just a few small differences that don't really matter much. My first project was a large striped blanket, made from 5 skeins of Caron One Pound. 5 long, wide panels, slip stitched together, and then went around the whole thing with a crochet border. It took me a week to make it, a week full of swearing. BUT I did discover something that might be very helpful to you... DON'T USE CARON ONE POUND IN YOUR MACHINE!!! It's too thick and will cause lots of problems that will lead you to believe the problem is you, when it's not. There was only one color in that yarn that I have found (so far) that actually works well enough to be useable, and that is the dark heather gray, because it's very noticeably THINNER than the others. It was the only color I enjoyed knitting on the machine, totally free of swearing. So, my next project was made with Caron Simply Soft, and that was a joy to work with.

[@MazeCrochet]

Thank you for the tip! It always amazes me how thick Caron One Pound is for a 4 weight yarn. It has definitely thrown off some crochet projects in the past, especially when I had to change colors from different brands.

[@app103]

@@MazeCrochet Caron One Pound is NOT a 4 weight...it's a 4.5.

[@NealBlanchard-db5tz]

My daughter knits and I am kinda of a mechanical geek, She knits as a mediation and a kitting machine would destroy that. I don't knit but I really want one.

[@MazeCrochet]

I get it. If a crochet machine came out, I wouldn't want it b/c I feel the same way about the artistry and relaxation of crochet as your daughter does about knitting. I like the knitting machines b/c I like the look of knitted clothing more than crochet (normally), but know I don't have the patience to knit a sweater over several months.

[@janatherton9194]

I find I use mine for things like the stocking stitch sections of sweaters and accessories, then I can knit the more textured sections, or colourwork by hand, I have issues with some of the tendons in my hands and the LK150 allows me to enjoy my knitting, without straining my hands, you could also use it for making garments/accessories that you could trim with crochet details.

[@tsoonklah]

LoL I’m a knitter that also now does weaving with a loom. Almost got a knitting machine but I wanted to do different textures other than knitting & I really like how you can change how loose the fabric is (or how dense) by changing the heddle size and/or yarn weight. Plus gawddamn it’s therapeutic & FAST. LoL thought I was fast making a double-knit beanie hat with colorwork (3-4 days) making a couple 72” scarves that are 16” wide takes like 2-3 days. And can’t wait to make some towels that have Tlingit tribal artwork lol.

[@MazeCrochet]

I've watched weaving videos and it does look very therapeautic. May have to give it a try one of these days!

[@manitobasky]

Definitely be kind to yourself when learning! I’ve never used the made with love cotton yarn, but I find cotton in general is harder to work with on my machines. Lion brand mandala or Caron skinny cakes are fantastic on the LK 150.

[@MazeCrochet]

Oh, thanks for the tip! I had the cotton b/c I meant to start using the machine back in late spring and wanted to make a light cotton top for myself for warmer weather. May have to let that dream die and stick to warmer yarns.

[@ElyaneGordon]

Where do you purchase the machine from?

[@plb991]

Very important to use your weights.

[@MazeCrochet]

Yes! That has been the biggest take away from this experience, along with go slowly and be patient.

[@jennymaratas7152]

I'm from Philippines, Im curios where to purchase this flatbed knitting machine ? I want one 🥰😍

[@MazeCrochet]

My husband bought this one for me, but he ordered it online, probably from Amazon.

[@alienmonkeyforever]

weight is going to be your best friend. maybe try binder clips to hang on small pieces. nice try. its really fun once you learn the basics and how to fix your mistakes. keep trying, you'll get the hang of it.

[@MazeCrochet]

Thanks so much for the advice! Looking forward to the new year when I get can give it more attention. I'm elbows deep in crocheting and sewing Christmas presents right now and ready to be done.

[@Neleknits]

start with waste yarn?

[@MazeCrochet]

Yep, thought of that AFTER I was done. Hopefully I'll remember next time.

[@TideandTailwind]

Very interesting! Just got my sentro and currently making hand-finished beanies for my new small business. Sharing on KZbin is no joke, very impressed by your set up!

[@MazeCrochet]

Thanks so much! It is turning out to be quite a hobby unto itself. Good luck with your beanies!

[@TideandTailwind]

@ thank you! Trying to find my editing style but I am learning so much on KZbin videos!