Notice
- This machine does not require an induction.
- This tool may be used while alone in the space.
Details
Knitmaster Model 560 knitting machine, with:
- Electronic pattern reader
- Ribber
- Lace carriage
- Intarsia carriage
- Automatic yarn changer
- Linker
Condition Notes
2nd hand, donated in early 2024.
Maintainers
Before Use
The machine lives on a shelf to the right of the double doors in the textiles area:
Accessories and manuals can be found in these two boxes, which belong in the textiles area:
- Place the machine on a table with the handle facing away from you:
- Set up the machine according to pages 3-4 of the operation manual:
- Thread the yarn through the auto-tension unit (page 8):
- Follow the steps to cast on, knit and cast off (page 11 onwards).
During Use
- Ensure the machine stays firmly clamped to the table on both sides.
- Ensure the carriage passes smoothly over the needle bed while knitting.
The carriage should not require much force to pass over the needle bed. If it does, you may want to increase the stitch size, choose a different yarn, or try a different stitch type.
If the carriage jams, do not force it - doing so is likely to damage the needles or carriage. There is a release lever on top of the carriage that will disengage it from the needle bed and allow it to move freely:
Page 104 of the operation manual has further guidance for troubleshooting jams:
After Use
- Repack the machine as described on page 48 of the operation manual:
- Return any accessories, manuals or pattern cards to the boxes they came from.
- Return the machine to it’s home on the shelf.
Maintenance
See page 114 of the operation manual:
References
Operation manual:
https://mkmanuals.com/downloadable/download/sample/sample_id/684/
For more guidance, Florence Spurling’s book Designing Knitted Textiles covers a wide range of machine knitting techniques. Instructional videos for a number of these techniques are freely available on the publisher’s Vimeo page.