Instructions for Brother Knitting Machine 601Sometime back people inquired if there was a manual for #601 knitting machine. I found mine and would like to share. It is in Japanese, but has easy pictures and list of parts. Brother sewing company made it and the machine plus instructions have been stored away till recently.
Making a Scarf from ScrapsA few years ago I started making hats and scarves from the "fun" or "fur" yarn, which is quite expensive. I had made a lot of scarves and realized I had so much scraps that could not be used and had no idea how I could use them.
Using Scrap YarnI discovered that if I use circular knitting needles to knit long winter scarves, I can use bits and pieces of yarn in all colors and textures to knit up unique scarves that when used creatively can be very beautiful.
Patterns for Knit SocksLionbrand.com has wonderful sock knitting patterns. I have been using them for years. I get them at JoAnn's craft store.
Knitted Laptop CozyI made (knit) a simple rectangle shape to put under my laptop. This computer cozy helps to slide the computer and it distributes the battery heat.
Bamboo Skewer For Round Knitting LoomsI have a set of round looms and am now knitting a project on them. I have long since misplaced the "stick" that comes with the kit and I have used several substitutes such as a piece of metal stick or a knitting needle.
Knifty Knitter For Net ScrubbiesI have made nylon net scrubbies using my blue round Knifty Knitter. I cast on like I'm making a hat and knit about 16 rows. Then when I am ready to bind off, I bind off like a hat. The left over "yarn" is then sewn through each side about 2 times.
Make Your Own Recycled Knitting BagWhen taking your knitting project with you, a container for a wine gift holds your yarn and those long needles and looks stylish. It can be covered with gift wrap, but most are already pretty.
Knifty Knitter HeadbandsAnother easy thing to make with the smallest ("baby") Knifty Knitter is headbands! You can make them out of wool to cover your ears in winter like a skier - or in acrylic to be light - even in cotton yarn for the lightest option.
Store Knitting Projects in CD ContainersPlastic CD-Rom containers with the spindle are wonderful for keeping your knitting projects clean, untangled, and safe from kitty paws! Many of the spindles screw right off the lid, leaving a nice smooth hole for your yarn to come through.
Thread Yarn Through Old Pen CasingTake an old fashioned writing pen, remove the tip, ink cartridge, and end cap. Thread yarn through the now empty tube. Use this to keep the yarn together when loom knitting and as a handle to wrap the yarn onto your loom.
Add Heavy Thread to Your YarnYou can add color and texture to your knitting by adding heavy thread or embroidery floss to your yarn and then just knitting regularly. It also helps keep lacy projects made on large needles keep their shape, as it won't stretch as much.
Rethink Your Knitting MistakesI made what I thought was the "back" of a long vest and it turned out entirely too "wide", a big rectangle, in fact. So I re-purposed it, sewed around the top for a neck hole and made a poncho out of it!
Artificial Corks for Knitting Needle HoldersRather than buy tip holders for my knitting needles at the craft store, I put old artificial wine corks to use! They already have a hole in them and the tips of the needles can be made to fit them easily. Another craft savings.
Variation for Knitting a ShawlOne way to vary the knitting on all of your shawl projects is to practice using different knitting combinations of purl and knit to make patterns. (A knitting book will show you how).
Use Eyelash Yarn When Knitting ShawlsI have been knitting shawls with eyelash yarn and regular yarn backing. They are lovely and fluffy. A white or black one would make a dramatic faux fur stole for a Prom, for about $40 or so, and you have it for other events later!
Knit Shawls in the SpringIt's spring and scarf season is over - so if you are a knitter - switch over to rectangular shawls. It's the same only a bit longer and wider! And you can use up leftover yarn by using a different yarn per each row or so.
Knit an Afghan in 7 Minutes a DayMost people don't have the time, they think, to knit an afghan but I am making the "Anyone Can Knit an Afghan in 7 Minutes a Day." It's easy and it's fun.
Hand Knitted Hat and MittensI enjoy knitting and crocheting during these long cold winter months. My Catholic church has a collection box for children's hats, scarves, and mittens which will be sent to an orphanage. I've saved all my new left over yarn from other projects, and now I'm on a knitting craze.
Knifty Knitter Flower LoomThis I got on sale for $4.50, was 6 dollars. Totally worth it. It makes the cutest flowers in yarn or raffia.
Knitting Needle Alternative: Chubby PencilsI got psyched by the suggestion of using chop sticks as knitting needles and used the round Korean ones with the pointed tips, but the resulting gauge was really too small to make a narrow scarf out of the ball of bargain fun fur I had picked up.
Knit Therapy BagsSeveral of my friends have recently quit smoking and wondered what to do with their hands when the urge to light up comes, so I began making "Knit Therapy Bags" to give to them.
Store Crochet Hooks or Knitting Needles in TubingThis craft tip is for storing knitting or crochet needles. Using fish aquarium tubing, which is very inexpensive and comes in various diameters, I cut just about an inch or so, pushing it down a bit (so they don't slide off) but yet long enough to cover the tips of the needles.
Use O Rings For Stitch Markers When KnittingI was working on a knitting project recently, and the pattern called for stitch markers. I could not locate mine, but my husband came to my rescue. He was doing a plumbing job on the kitchen faucet, and was replacing an "O" ring.
Keep Knitting From CurlingIf you are tired of the edges of your knitting curling instead of lying flat, just make it a habit to slip the first stitch in each row without knitting or purling. The edges will not curl, and those stitches will be worked up on alternating rows where they become the LAST stitch.
Beanies and Matching Mittens from an Old SweaterLook at the latest holiday edition of www.threadbanger.com for instructions how to make easy beanies and matching mitten from an old sweater! Kids are always losing theirs, so this would be great for a wintry mom.
Ziplock Yarn KeeperJust recently I bought a yarn holder at Wal-mart that helps keep yarn clean and tangle free. It is a clear plastic jug with a lid that has a hole in the center for the yarn.
A Cheap Pocket Knitting RakeThe other day I saw a "pocket knitter", it's rake knitting or knitting without needles and is often used as a first knitting project for kids. After looking at it, I knew I could get my own for a fraction of the retail price, and I did.
Cat Safe Yarn TipOur cat, Tweets is very clever at finding a ball of yarn and can spend late hours unraveling it from one end of our two-story house to another. Bury it under a sofa pillow? She'll dig it out.
Mesh Bags for Holding Wool When KnittingI use the smaller mesh bags that fruit and vegetables come in to hold the balls of wool when I am knitting. I do not have wool unraveling any more and I find the wool easier to work with when I am traveling.
Knitting with FabricI am a knitter and have seen kits for knitting with strips of fabric. They make 1/2 inch wide strips from cloth, and you knit these into a purse, as if they were yarn.
Keeping Track of Rows with Different PatternsWhen knitting or crocheting a pattern that has different instructions for each row I copied the pattern and cut out each row and put 1 row on a 3X5 blank index card and put it into the binder that comes with index cards. (I bought mine at Wal-Mart)...
Chopsticks as Knitting NeedlesIn a pinch, you can use chopsticks as knitting needles. Just sharpen the tips of the chopsticks in a pencil sharpener then dull them a little so they aren't too sharp.
Use Clear Newspaper Bags for YarnI use the plastic bags that my newspaper is delivered in when knitting or crocheting. I place a skein or ball of yarn inside to keep it clean and free from snarling.
