Knitting Machine Instructions & Projects: Your Set Includes
Knitting Machine Instructions & Projects: Your Set Includes
Knitting Machine Instructions & Projects: Your Set Includes
7590-08B
Conforms to ASTM-D4236
This product contains small
pieces not suitable for
children under 3 years old.
Knitting Machine Instructions & Projects Plastic needle possesses
functional sharp point
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Dear Customer,
We hope you enjoy your Innovations™ Knitting Machine. If you find that we have made an error or if something is missing or damaged,
let us know so that we can correct the problem for you. Please include the following information:
*Name of Item *Date of Purchase *Purchase Price (please include the sales slip)
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Send all correspondence to: NSI International, Inc. You can call us at
105 Price Parkway (888) 425-9113
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Attn: Quality Control Department
Handle Plastic
Needle
Inner Hook
Legs Tension
Mode Switch Piece
Yarn Guide
Tension Piece
Note: The knitting machine comes pre-loaded with approx. 1” of knitted yarn. This yarn is knitted on the machine in the factory as a
quality assurance step to insure that your machine is in perfect working order at the time of purchase. You should remove and discard
this yarn prior to using the machine with your own yarn. Yarn will remove easily from hooks if you turn crank either way. Make sure yarn
is not in yarn guide.
Tube Position
Knits up to 13” diameter tubes and up to 17” Flat
panels (depending on what type of yarn is used).
2. See our website www.nsiinnovations.com for a list of specific yarns we have tested. Please note that we have designed the machine
so that it will work with the widest range of yarns possible but the properties of each yarn are different and you should always test your
yarns in the machine before you start a project.
3. It is recommended that you roll each skein of yarn into a ball to help the yarn feed easier into the machine as you are cranking. If you
choose not to roll the yarn into a ball but work instead directly from a skein you will have to stop and loosen the yarn every so often to
make sure you have enough loose (10-12 ft. at a time) or else it will become too tight to crank. The yarn cranks very quickly through
the machine.
4. Please note that different types of yarn may need different tension to work well. Lighter-weight yarns usually work better being threaded
through all of the notches on the tension guide. Heavier weight yarns will usually work better threaded through less of the notches on
the tension guide. As you practice with different types of yarns and become more familiar with the machine, you will learn to gauge
this as you work.
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Threading The Machine For A Tube
1. Feed approximately 12” of yarn through the center of the machine (see diagram A).
2. Crank handle forward until the colored hook is directly to the right of the feeder.
3. Hook the yarn under the colored hook (see diagram B).
4. Pull the end of the yarn under the machine and hold taut with the crank. You are going to turn the crank away from you (clockwise) to
pull the yarn and proceed to thread the yarn onto every other hook as it rises, passing it front and back until a full rotation has been
completed and you are back to the colored hook (see diagram C). Thread under the colored hook again–Pull both pieces of yarn up
to make sure it is taut then thread through 5 more hooks – without skipping any hooks (see diagram D).
5. Now you need to pass the yarn through the gap in the yarn guide and pull it down so that it is seated all the way down into the
groove (see diagram E).
6. Put the tension arm into the raised position (45 degree angle) and thread the yarn through until it comes out the bottom
(see diagram F).
7. Remember that you may need to adjust the yarn tension holder depending on the weight of the yarn. Heavier or bulkier yarns may
require less tension. This can be achieved by removing the yarn from one of the rungs on the tension guide working from the
bottom up.
Diagram B
Diagram E
Diagram F
2. Keep an eye on your yarn to make sure you have enough loosened to feed easily into the machine.
3. Once you come back around to the colored hook you have done one row. If you need to keep count of the rows for your project,
count one row each time you come to the colored hook.
4. Periodically pull down gently on the knitted fabric as it comes out of the bottom, to prevent it from snagging.
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How To Bind Off the End Of A Tube
After you have achieved the desired length of tube you will need to remove (bind off) your tube from the machine.
1. To get your tube to the point where is it ready to bind off you need to make the length you want and stop cranking when the colored
hook is to the right of the yarn guide (see diagram G). Please note: Yarn should stay on the hooks until step 4 of this process.
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How To Make A Flat Panel
1. Slide the mode switch on the front of the machine into the UP position. Diagram J
2. Turn the crank toward you (counterclockwise) until it stops. The colored hook should
be slightly to the right of the yarn guide.
3. Starting by threading the colored hook, thread the machine in the same way you would as if you
were making a tube, turning the crank away from you (clockwise) and threading every other hook.
Make sure you maintain tension on yarn to insure the threading is fairly taut – you do not want loose
threading when making a flat panel. As you complete the threading, you will thread yarn under the
colored hook again and then under the next hook. At this point the crank should stop and not be
able to move any further. Thread the yarn through the yarn guide and tension holder
(see diagram J). Diagram K
4. To start your flat panel, turn the hand crank towards you (counterclockwise) until the machine stops.
It is important to turn the crank at an even rate so as not to drop stitches at the ends of your panels.
Repeat cranking forward and backward until you reach the desired length of your panel. Note that
there are 4 hooks that will not have stitches on them – this will become more evident as your panel
gets longer (see diagram K). A flat panel made on this machine will have 40 stitches.
5. Periodically pull down gently on the knitted fabric as it comes out of the bottom to prevent it
from snagging.
To do this:
1. After you have achieved the desired length of your panel, turn the crank towards you
(counterclockwise) until its stops. At this point the colored hook should be slightly to the right
of the yarn guide (see diagram L).
2. Cut off leftover unknitted yarn with a pair of scissors (not included) leaving 18-24” length of yarn
attached to your knitting. Slip this piece out of the tension holder and yarn guide. Thread the
length of yarn onto the plastic sewing needle. Diagram M
3. Sew through the first stitch to the left (clockwise direction) of the yarn guide and all subsequent 39
stitches, inserting the needle through the stitch from inside the circle toward the outside of the
circle (see diagrams M & N). All the stitches should now have yarn through them.
4. Turn the handle clockwise and drop all the stitches off the hooks.
5. For a flat panel: Take the threaded sewing needle and stitch back through of few of the
last stitches to secure the end of the yarn. Make a knot and trim the end of the yarn.
6. For a gathered panel: Take loose ends of your yarn and pull tight until it makes a triangular shaped
flat panel. Thread the plastic needle through the loose end of the yarn and tie a double knot. Diagram N
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How To Stitch Panels Together
Diagram O
1. Thread needle with length of matching color yarn.
3. Make a loop and pass the yarn through the loop then pull tight
and tie off (see diagram O).
Helpful Hints
1. Do not turn the crank handle too hard or too fast as this may damage the machine. Turning the crank too fast may also cause
dropped stitches.
2. If yarn seems “stuck” on a hook, push the stitch or stitches that are on the hook from the bottom of the hook towards the back
of the needle.
3. You must maintain proper tension on the yarn through the tension piece, otherwise you may drop a stitch.
4. When starting out, be sure that yarn is fed through the notch in the yarn guide.
5. Some textured yarns may not work as they will get caught in the yarn guide.
6. Different weights of yarn will require different amounts of tension. You want it to be tight but not pulling. If it is too tight, try loosening
the yarn one by one from the slots on the tension guide.
7. If stitches are being dropped at ends of flat panel, make sure you are turning crank all the way in each direction until the machine
comes to a complete stop.
8. Occasionally pull down the yarn you are knitting to make sure it does not get snagged.
2. Look at the area where the dropped stitch seems to start. You will see a loop where the dropped stitch starts and above the loop you
will have a “ladder” – with rungs corresponding to each dropped stitch – between the stitches.
3. Insert a crochet hook from front to back through the loop (see diagram P).
4. Hook the first rung of ladder on to the crochet hook and pull it through the opening of the loose stitch (see diagram Q). Then hook
the next rung and pull it through (see diagram R), and continue this step with each rung until you have carried the stitch all the way back
up to the corresponding knitting machine hook.
Diagram P Diagram Q Diagram R
5. Transfer the loop from the crochet
hook on to the knitting machine hook.
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Innovations Knitting Machine Projects
Project 1: Scarf (Beginning Knitter)
• Yarn: Patons® Cha Cha or similar #5 bulky type – 6-8 Balls (77 yds./1.75 oz/50 g. each) Color: Salsa or your choice
• Measurements: approx 7”dia. x 100” Decide before beginning how long you would like your finished scarf to be. If you prefer
a shorter scarf you will need less yarn.
1. Thread machine following instructions given on page 3 of general instructions for a tube. Knit according to general directions for
making a tube found on page 3 of general instructions and make the scarf as long as you wish.
2. To finish the ends of your scarf. bind off as shown in the general directions.
If desired, you can close the ends as for a hat, or you can bind them flat & add fringe, pom poms, or a crocheted edge.
• Yarn: Patons® Cha Cha, (1.75oz/50g) or similar #5 bulky, 7-8 Balls. Color: Hippie or your choice.
• Finished Size: 7- 8 Balls of Cha Cha yarn will produce a shawl that is approximately 30” wide x 70” long. The length depends on
what works best for you. Drape knit type fabric or towel over your shoulders to decide how long to make your shawl. The machine
makes a flat panel the width of about 15 – 17” with this type of stretchy yarn. You can either make 2 flat panels and sew them together
lengthwise for a wide (approx. 30” wide) shawl or just use a single panel for a narrower shawl (approx. 15” to 17” wide).
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Project 4: Felted Bag (Intermediate Knitter)
• Yarn: Patons® Classic Merino Wool (100g/3.5oz) or any medium weight (#4) 100% wool, 1 Ball (you must use at least 75% -100% wool
for successful felting). Color: Burgundy or your choice,
• Additional Materials / Equipment Required: Plastic sewing needle included with the machine (or tapestry needle), Heavy cardboard,
1/2 Yd. (0.45 m) satin cord, one cord lock, 2 plastic cord ends, 2 unsharpened pencils, liquid dishwashing detergent, old pair of jeans
(may become discolored in felting process), old, clean tennis shoe or sneaker (may become discolored in the felting process), old
pillowcase or zippered mesh bag, top loading washing machine.
Impor tant Things to know before you star t felting a knitted item:
• Knitting that has been properly felted will have a distinct texture. With felting, the knitted piece becomes very dense and tightly woven.
• Felting does not produce uniform shrinkage. After felting , the knitted item will be approximately 80 to 85% of the width and 95% of the
length the item was prior to felting.
• Always test a sample piece of knitting made from the wool you plan to use before starting the full project. Different colored wools may
felt differently. Some colors will require a longer felting process in order to achieve desired result.
• Record the measurements of the finished item both before and after the felting process – this allows you to adjust or repeat the process
to produce consistent desired results.
• Colorfastness of the wool (and any items added to the washer to aid the felting process) may be affected by the hot water used to felt
the item. Colors in multi-colored wool may migrate during the felting process.
3. Remove the tube from the machine as described on page 4 of the general instructions included with the machine then follow
instructions to gather the end of the bound-off tube. This will be the bottom of your bag.
4. At the opposite end of the tube (open top end ), thread the tail of yarn (from where the bag was started) onto plastic needle and sew
through two adjacent stitches. Knot yarn securely. This will prevent top opening of bag from gathering , bunching or unraveling during
the felting process.
2. Add an old pair of jeans and an old tennis shoe to the washer to help agitation. Turn machine on and allow water to start running
into machine.
3. Turn the knitted bag inside out and place in washing machine (Prior to placing in machine, You can put knitted bag in an old pillowcase
or zippered mesh bag if you have one).
4. Check progress every few minutes. It may take several agitation cycles to achieve a dense, matted fabric (12 to 15 minutes is average
time required) that does not show the stitching (Use tongs to remove felted piece when checking progress – water will be very hot)!
NOTE:
Do not allow the bag to go through rinse and spin cycles – the bag should only be put through agitation cycles which may need to be
repeated to achieve desired felted finish. Do not put the bag through the spin cycle or permanent creases may develop in the bag.
Remove felted bag from washer and rinse bag by hand in warm water.
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Project 4: Felted Bag (continued)
2. Shape & stuff with something like plastic bags to hold shape.
3. Fold the top edge of bag as shown & poke ends of double pointed knitting needles or chopsticks
to hold the openings for the eyelets. Leave in place while bag dries (see diagram E for placement
of eyelet openings).
4. Allow to air dry away from the sun. Do not use a clothes dryer. Drying time can be reduced with
a hair dryer. Steaming or brushing (with a wire pet brush or hair brush) improves the surface texture.
Drying process may take several days.
5. Add Cord for handles: Starting at center front, thread satin cord through eyelets as shown in
diagram W. Thread both ends of cord through cord lock. Attach plastic tips to ends of cord.
6. Cut & fit cardboard to form the bottom of bag, insert into bag.
NOTE: NEVER put a finished felted item into a hot wash or a hot dryer. Treat your felted item with care in order to avoid further
shrinkage or distortion.
Yarn: Bernat® Soft Boucle or similar worsted or bulky weight yarn (140g/5 oz.) 4-5 balls for sizes small to medium, 6-8 balls for sizes
large to extra large.
Additional Tools/Materials Needed: Plastic sewing needle (included with machine or steel tapestry needle), Straight pins, Metal ruler,
Fabric sewing tape measure, tailor’s chalk or straight pins to mark neckline, Dritz® Fray Check™. Aleene’s® Fabric glue, “Unique
Stitch® by W.H Collins or other liquid fabric glue/sealant, Sweater of similar weight and style that fits the intended wearer of the
sweater you are making - as a fit guide.
1. Thread the machine to make a flat panel as Instructed on page 5 of general Instructions.
2. Knit a flat panel that Is approximately 20” ( You can also measure down from the center of shoulders of person who will wear the sweater
to decide exact desired length).
3. Bind off the flat panel as Instructed on page 5 of general Instructions.
4. Pin this panel onto a sweater (at the shoulders) that fits the person who will wear the sweater being knitted. Check fit of bust and length.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 to make panel for back of sweater.
2. Use tailor’s chalk or straight pins to mark neck openings along front and back panels. The depth of the neckline will be determined
by you or the intended wearer of the finished sweater
3. Measure all the way around front and back openings to determine length that cowl neck piece will need to be knitted.
2. Knit a flat panel as long as your cowl neck opening plus a 1/2 inch. Roll & pin this into a tube (it will be more than one thickness
depending on how tight or loose of a cowl you prefer). Set aside.
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Project 5: Cowl Neck Pullover (Continued)
2. Seal cut edges of neckline with Dritz® Fray Check™, Aleene’s® Fabric Glue, or other similar product. Set aside.
Sleeves:
1. Measure your arms (or arms of intended wearer) from the edge of your shoulders to the wrists (add a few inches extra if you want the
edges to curl into rolled cuffs).
2. Thread the machine to make a flat panel as Instructed on page 5 of general Instructions.
3. Knit flat panel to the determined length. Bind off as flat panel.
2. Pin sides, taking in to fit as you prefer, leaving ample openings for sleeves.
3. Pin rolled cowl all the way around adjusting roll to be tight or loose as you wish.
4. Turn sleeves wrong side out & pin into openings adjusting the armholes to fit.
5. Pin on inside to taper sleeves making seams with the extra knitted fabric on the inside to be cut away after stitching. Keep in mind that
you can leave sleeves looser and do not have to taper them. Adjust length & try rolling back the edges for cuffs if you want.
3. Stitch sleeves together on wrong sides as pinned & turn right side out.
4. Stitch front & back wrong sides together at shoulders and sides leaving openings for sleeves as determined in pinning stage.
5. Turn sleeves wrong sides out & pin into armholes. Stitch in place making as small seams as possible.
6. Next pin cowl to neckline & stitch. (pin on the wrong side of sweater).
8. Steam lightly without allowing iron or heavy steam to touch sweater, or you can block by laying on folded towels, spraying with water,
pinning to towels to desired shape, & letting dry.
9. Hand wash or dry clean only. Follow yarn manufacturers care instructions on yarn label.
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Project 6: Belted Cardigan Sweater (Advanced Knitter)
• YARN: Bernat® Softee Chunky (100g/3.5oz), Color: Grey Ragg, 8 – 12 Balls (S to XL).
• Additional Materials Needed: Plastic sewing needle included with machine or Steel tapestry needle with big eye, Tailor’s chalk , Optional
- depending on choice of how to create V neck - Dritz® Fray Check™.
2. Measure your bust, sleeve length, sweater length. Find a similar sweater that fits you and measure it also as a guide. It is OK to start off
with the panels a little oversized because the seaming may result in a smaller size than you would think.
Sweater Construction: Sweater will consist of two rectangular flat panels for the front panels, two for the back, and two tubes
for the sleeves.
Knit The Front and Back panel pieces: (FOR SIZES X SMALL.TO SMALL (bust 28-34 ins., finished bust 37”). Larger sizes
can be constructed by piecing flat panels together to make correct size pieces to fit you or your intended recipient.)
1. Thread the machine to make a flat panel as instructed on page 5 of General Instruction booklet.
4. Pin the completed panel at your shoulder to check length of panel and fit across bust (width of panel).
2. Knit a tube 20-22” long or to preferred length ). If cuffs are desired, knit tube a few inches longer.
3. Bind off tube as described on page 4 of general instructions included with machine. Try on arm to check length.
Thread plastic needle or tapestry needle with matching yarn. Using the mattress stitch illustration from page 6 of the general instructions
included with the machine, seam together as follows:
2. With wrong sides together, sew the top edge of the back piece and the top edge of the front left panel together. Start stitching at the
point that the V opening begins, i.e.,where you marked it with a pin; and sew to the outside edge. This will be the shoulder seam.
3. Repeat step 2 to attach other front panel to back panel. Now you will have a vest type garment.
4. Turn right side out & try on to determine how you want the sleeves to fit.
Insert Sleeves:
1. With wrong sides together, sew sleeves into armhole openings making narrow seams.
2. Let the cuff edges curl back naturally at the wrists for a rolled cuff.
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Project 6: Belted Cardigan Sweater (Continued)
For V-Neck Opening (Using Either Fold-and-Tack Method OR Cut-and-Whip Stitch Technique border):
Fold and Tack method
1. Use tailor’s chalk to mark or straight pins to mark the angle where V-neck fold should be. You can decide the best angle by trying on
sweater, closing the front panels and then folding them UNDER to form desired size V-opening then pin in place and tack in place using
matching yarn and needle.
2. Thread tapestry needle with matching yarn and baste with small stitches (or use sewing machine or serger) 1/2” outside the line you
have pinned or made with tailor’s chalk for the slant of each front panel. Lay sweater flat on table or floor and cut where the tailor’s
chalk line or pins are which should be right outside the basting stitches. Cut from the bottom corner to where V begins at the top. Do
this on both sides. Immediately cover edges with Fray Check® or similar fabric glue. Allow glue to dry.
3. Thread tapestry needle with matching yarn and sew a whip stitch along the front
openings and V-neck of sweater (see diagram X).
Diagram X
Knit the Belt:
1. Thread machine as directed for flat panels
2. Depending on desired size of belt, knit 3 or 4 flat panels or 8 rows each, binding
off each flat panel as you finish.
3. Using mattress stitch shown on page 6 of general instructions, sew the panels
together end- to – end to form a long belt.
3. Braid the 3 pieces of yarn together – braid all way to the end
of the yarn.
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