#knittingpirate — Public Fediverse posts

The first sleeve is done! 120 rounds to go on the second. This sweater is so close to being finished!

Slightly rambling blogpost: https://www.knittingpirate.com/2026/09/07/in-which-the-pirate-returns-6/

#KnittingPirate #Knitting #FinishOrFrogAlong

Best machine-knitting advice I've got:

"Move slowly, because stitches are easily startled... if you startle the stitches, they'll jump and run away."

#KnittingPirate #KnittingMachine

The vintage pushbutton knitting machine developed a set of sticky buttons shortly after it came home with me, which was annoying but not terribly surprising for a 55 year old mechanical object.

I tried to see if I could fix it without taking it apart, but that didn't work. It wasn't actually the buttons that were the problem, it was the sliding needle selector plates which are controlled by the buttons. They're supposed to slide, but they were sticking to each other.

So with great apprehension I took the machine out of its case without breaking a single plastic rivet (there's a trick to it!), removed the pushbutton set, took the needle selector plate assembly apart and cleaned each plate with simple green, then put it back together. Now the buttons are all nicely clicky again and I'm so very pleased with myself.

(I bet this is the same thing I'm going to have to do with the punchcard machine... which is "only" 47 years old. If only the 38-year-old electronic machine could be fixed so easily!)

#KnittingPirate #KnittingMachine

Okay so... I picked up another electronic knitting machine, because the one I already had *won't stop beeping*, and there's no way to make it shut up short of de-soldering the beeper from the circuit board (tempting, but I'm not sure it's fully functioning if something's making it beep like that).

I thought I'd test out the new one by making a hat. Hats are always nice, and if they're a little big or small - well, they'll fit somebody.

And check out this historic artifact that I found in the section of its memory for user uploads!

Blogpost about the new-old machine, if you're interested: https://www.knittingpirate.com/2026/04/10/in-which-the-pirate-acquires-another-knitting-machine-2/

#KnittingPirate #knitting #KnittingMachine

200 clean(ish) standard gauge knitting machine needles after being soaked in 91% isopropyl alcohol and a few drops of oil. I think the pattern of schmutz they made on the cloth is kind of neat.

#KnittingPirate #KnittingMachine

I'm looking through one of the pattern books from the vintage knitting machine, and in my head it sounds like a very prim lady from a girls prep school is reading it in a perfect British Educational Filmreel accent.

I don't usually hear words in my head in specific accents as I'm reading them, but this? oh yeah.

Anyway I think maybe I'm gonna try a lace pattern? This one looks pretty.

#KnittingPirate #knitting #LaceKnitting #KnittingMachine

I found the stitch pattern for these cats on Pinterest, then punched my own card for it and knit a hat. Details on the blog: https://www.knittingpirate.com/2026/03/24/in-which-the-pirate-has-cats/

#KnittingPirate #knitting #knittingmachine #machineknitting

Trying new-to-me techniques on an old knitting machine...

https://www.knittingpirate.com/2026/03/22/in-which-the-pirate-tries-new-things/

#KnittingPirate #KnittingMachine #BrotherKH601

Not only is the electronic knitting machine out of commission, but the 24-stitch punchcard machine is also mispatterning.

Good thing I picked up that 8-button one, I guess ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

#KnittingPirate #KnittingMachine #knitting

First sample off the 8-button knitting machine! I dropped a few stitches in the process of figuring out which needles do/don't select for tucking, oops. But she knits so nicely! The carriage hardly takes any effort to move.

#KnittingPirate #knitting #KnittingMachine

😇 . o O (You don’t really need it! Save your money.)
🔄️
😈 . o O (But it’s so cool! Maybe the seller will take a lower offer?)

long blogpost about this beauty: https://www.knittingpirate.com/2026/03/11/in-which-the-pirate-does-something-impulsive

video of needle selection mechanism: https://youtu.be/LEx08_ZiOk8

#KnittingPirate #knitting #KnittingMachine

It followed me home, can I keep it? 😂

I'll write a blog post about this vintage find in the next day or two, but here are some pictures for now :)

#KnittingPirate #Knitting #KnittingMachine #KH601

Battery replacement didn't stop the machine from beeping, but it can't stop me from planning ahead - I tried something new and drafted a sweater pattern based on a fleece that fits me perfectly. I hope this works out!

Details on the blog: https://www.knittingpirate.com/2026/02/28/in-which-the-pirate-measures-and-drafts/

#KnittingPirate #KnittingMachine #MachineKnitting #knit #sweater #PatternDrafting

I reworked the shape of the top of my hat pattern, and tried again - this version is a lot better!

https://www.knittingpirate.com/2026/02/24/in-which-the-pirate-reshapes/

#KnittingPirate #knitting #KnittingMachine #StrandedColorwork

Seven years ago today I began making this blanket on my new-to-me knitting machine, a Brother KH-230, which I clamped to my coffee table because I had nowhere else to put it yet, and found myself headfirst down one of the most enjoyable hobby-related rabbitholes I've ever found.

#KnittingPirate #Knitting #KnittingMachine

Having fun making hats (and building up inventory for next fall/winter's holiday market).

https://www.knittingpirate.com/2026/02/04/in-which-the-pirate-is-stranded/

#KnittingPirate #Knit #StrandedColorwork #KnittingMachine