Working a closed cast on means working in the project yarn - not the scrap yarn first.
This blows my mind coming from circular sock machines where scrap yarn plays a big part most of the time.
Found this wonderful cast on/off carriage assist e-wrap video by Sally Butcher https://youtu.be/v4AvgriC-Ww
I’m so nervous! Working though the manual on casting on. See how much time I’ve already spent in the past with my label maker (to reduce my anxiety?) The machine and ribber are setup on the edge of our ikea Kallax shelving in our small 2 bedroom apartment. Wish me luck!
Instagram: one
You have two main options with spongebars:
ONE: buy the complete component with factory installed spongebar already in place (pros: lasts years | cons: more expensive)
TWO: buy the correct spongebar replacement material and install yourself (pros: less expensive | cons: buying the wrong one means needing to glue it on/it won’t have the life of the manufacturer version/cleaning the old gunk away is messy and takes time / ensure to use sponge with a flexible surface that will touch the needles or it will be a nightmare
The sk700 uses a hard plastic spongebar on the ribber and a regular foam spongebar on the machine itself
After watching 4 or 5 different videos to gain a perspective on those more learned on spongebars - I located the spongebar and noted it’s lack of sponge (but presence of brown grimy yuck). With screwdriver to scrape and a rag with nail polish remover, I made short work of the brown goo. After the cleanup I weighed the option of water soluble glue (and needing to wait 24 hours for it to dry) and instead chose the two sided tape to stick in the foam (ribbon side up). I tapered the clip ends with a bit of clear packing tape (duct tape disintegrates too quickly/gooey.)
The needles seem happier - we will see!
Now either I can see if I can get it to work without the sinker plate broken rubber disks or if I have to wait until ordered solutions arrive. EDIT: rubber wheel pieces were purchased off eBay and self installed without issue (yes it needs those parts).
Where to get supplies depends on where you live and how much shipping you’re prepared to pay.
At this point I’ve ordered supplies worldwide as no one supplier has the things one may need.
I live in Vancouver, BC Canada and found that sewknit.ca has the complete spongebar piece (with manufacture installed foam) for $40. I’m told it’s better and lasts many years. However their website is janky (errors) and their customer service has been very bare bones.
Previously I bought replacement foam from spongebar.com and eBay.
Instagram Post one | Post two |
This blog entry was originally on the circular sock knitting machine side of this page so that entry is now being moved HERE. :) All pictures can be clicked on and viewed FULL SIZE.
Special thanks to Andie of the yarn store near my boyfriend’s parents. When the original owner passed the family donated this machine to Andie so that it could find further future use. Andie asked me once in passing if I had interest in Flat Beds and initially I declined but after some time had passed I asked if she had any needing a home. Thank you to the original owner who created wonderful things for sometime with flat beds with some magazine resources in this treasure trove dating back 20 years BEFORE this 1985 machine was even made!
With the help of my boyfriend’s parents (and Andie), they drove the stash halfway to use during COVID, and on a very cold day we met on the side of the road - did a hello and thank you and drove the machine and us home. While I setup this flat bed pretty quickly, I was very hesitant about actually starting to learn or do anything with it due to my learning solo. (I actually started actively learning Oct 2022).
Today we picked up this machine and its many accessories. Photos below are the actual machine and accessories. Exciting!
Photos of the same make and model from later when I set it all up at home.
Also known as SK700 Singer/Studio/Silver Reed Punch Card Knitting Machine/Knitmaster Studio SK700
Detail on these machines: The maker is still in the business of making a range of punchcard and electronic machines similar to Brothers, with no significant design changes since the 1990’s. Generally considered to be less hackable. Previously marketed as Studio (U.S.), Singer (Canada), Knitmaster (UK) and Empisal (Australia). Also known as the Singer Memo-mastic 700.
4.5mm (standard gauge) 24st punchcard machine with built-in knit contour (knit radar) device. This brand is also known as Studio in certain countries.
Professional Home Knitting machine. The 4.5mm standard gauge 200 needle machine incorporates the automatic 24 needle width pattern selection system built into carriage. To knit beautiful patterns you simply insert the selected punch card into the knitting machine and start knitting a variety of patterns Punch Lace, Fair Isle, weaving, slip and tuck stitches. Punch cards come with the machine and additional pattern cards can be purchased or punch your own designs on blank cards that can also be purchased. Another feature is the machine has built in Knit Contour for putting in your pattern for a sweater in Men's, Women, and Children with a wide selection of sizes. Knit dresses for women and children even cute baby patterns. You can even draw your own patterns and insert into machine.
The built in Knit Contour/Knit Radar:
A - 4.5mm standard gauge ruler (also works for 3.6 fine gauge) 40 sts/60 rows
B - 13.5” yellow E (E1-E14) 1/2 scale rulers. Zero on the left. (gauges 9-30)
C - are 13.5” beige H (H8-H14) 1/2 scale rulers. Zero in center. (gauges 24-50)
D - are 13.5” aqua F (F2-F15) Full scale rulers. Zero on the left. (gauges 9-54)
Verified details of these gauge rulers by a kind person who shared https://mkmanuals.com/downloadable/download/sample/sample_id/432/
Useful supplies: 33cm wide paper, rulers for drawing
Comes with built in carrying case. Easy to push carriage with ball bearing runners on carriage reducing friction.
Many machine knitting designs and pattern books are available. Also the Ribber Accessory is purchased separately for knitting knit and purl stitches and a variety for knit and purl designs. Machine is complete with tools and manuals.
Specifications: 24st punchcard and built-in knitcontour
Recommended Yarn: 2ply - 3ply - 4ply - light DK
This model has the following stitches / patterning inbuilt: stockinette | slip | tuck | fair isle | intarsia | knit weave | motif | punch lace |
Compatible accessories:
SRP20/50/60/60N, YC5/6, LC2, AW1, RT1, SC3, PLUS AG24 | Garter Bar |
Note: this machine can use ANY 24st punch card of any make to try something new. This machine has punchcards that can be used with the RIBBER, the LACE CARRIAGE and the machine itself. The manual says that one can mix and match all the above for different results.
Manuals:
Knitmaster Studio SK600-SK700 Operation Knitting Machine Instruction Manual | SK600-SK700 Knitting Machine Service Manual | Punch cards | Silver Reed R-2 Ribber Punch Cards For SR50 and SR60 | Studio/Silver Reed Lace Cards for LC2 and LC360/260 |
Knit Radar 1/2 scale patterns
https://mkmanuals.com/downloadable/download/sample/sample_id/714/
Knit Radar 1/4 scale patterns
https://mkmanuals.com/singer-silver-reed-knit-radar-1-4-scale-patterns.html
Studio Singer Ribber SRP-60N - download | Intarsia Carriage manual | Studio Rib Carriage Manual |
SRP60N - Ribber bed and carriage. ($830 on Etsy) | Diagram and info | P-Carriage is used primarily to knit drive lace or pile stitch patterns. The P-Carriage will allow you to re-position the needles and/or drop stitches. It brings needles from working position B to upper working position C which helps the stitches knit off correctly and stops unintentional tucking, especially when working with heavier yarns. Moves all the needles up into upper working position thereby the ruler underneath taking the stitches behind the latches. P-Carriage Video
YC5 - Automatic color changer. ($80 on eBay) | User manual | Video used on sk360 | This is used when using double bed only, ie double bed jacquard. The YC6 is single bed. I am giving two of these away as soon as they find homes.
LC2 - Lace Carriage. ($544 on Etsy) | Video on adjustment and testing | Testing by Alice | Facebook video using carriage | Hobbycraft using. | Diagram and Info |
AW1 - Weaving arm. ($120) The automatic, high-speed weaving arm transfers the weaving yarn from side to side of the carriage automatically, thus eliminating the need to manually move the yarn. It will automatically produce all types of textures and designs as easily as knitting stockinette. The AW-1 weaving arm can be used on all standard gauge machines. Also fits fine gauge machines when equipped with fine gauge fabric gears. | Video on using | Manual | Another video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvaEgJgBc3g
RT1 - Studio Rib Cartridge. It tranfers Stitches from the Ribber onto the Main Knitter bed. | Video how to use. | Demo by sweaterfactory | Manual |
SC3 - Automatic Linker (I ordered this off eBay $50) | Manual | Video how to use | This can be used only from the right to the left to “automatically” cast off - bind off is not very stretchy and not the best option for all applications.
AG24 - Intarsia Carriage ($88 on Etsy) | Video knitting with | Manual |
Garter Bar - Hooked bar used for casting on. Garter bars are simple, but invaluable tools for machine knitters. Use them to turn your work and create garter stitch rows. Use them as large multi-prong transfer tools for shaping. Why scrap off? Use your garter bar to temporarily hold live stitches | Detail on using | Video on how to use | Video using your garter bar |
Useful videos:
The masters at machines who serviced it said it must have taken a castrophic drop which damaged the bed. The bed has been scrapped and a new secondhand SK700 purchased via Facebook seller in Ontario. It arrived and works great!
RJ1 Birdseye Jacquard Carriage fits:
Silver Reed/Singer/Studio/Knitmaster/Empisal Punchcard and Electronic Standard Gauge Knitting Machine Ribbing Attachment SRP20 SRP50 SRP60 SRP60N SRJ70. It also fits Creative or Artisan 245 JBL245 4.5mm Ribber.
The RJ1 knits like a regular ribber carriage. It allows you to knit both sides of the fabric in Double Jacquard or Multi Colored Jacquard stitches, making every alternate needle knit Slip Stitch on the ribber side.It also creates Bird's Eye striped backing with just a flip of 2 stitches. It creates Jacquard picture knitting with no floats.The fabric is remarkably soft and stretchy.
I purchased the newer color changer YC6 - it offers more options.
This YC6 color changer can be used on both single and double bed with ribber machines (srp60 srp60n) by changing the head angle, and allows you to automatically select any two yarns out of four with the push of a button! When the carriage moves all the way to the left end of the needle bed, the trip lever on the carriage arm activates the yarn changer and automatically exchanges one color for another. The YC 6 can automatically alternate any two colors row after row and you have the option of activating a third or fourth color at anytime by simply pressing a button. The YC 6 includes a single bed carriage arm for knitting stripes and multicolor tuck and slip patterns. It also enables you to knit Fair Isle patterns where one color (background) remains constant while the other changes. For double bed use, simply lift the trip lever on the ribber arm and enjoy a variety of colorful rib stitches and jacquards. The yarn mast has separate guides for the four yarns and increased tension capabilities.
The YC6 4 way Color Changer fits standard gauge 4.5mm knitting machines Silver Reed Studio Singer Knitmaster SK210 SK280 SK360 SK500 SK560 SK580 SK700 SK740 and SK840 Electronic.
The YC6 color changer will work on 3.6mm fine gauge SK270 and SK830 knitting machines if the sprocket wheels (plastic gears 062555269) are changed from 4.5mm to 3.6mm. It also fits our Creative SK280 and Artisan 245 4.5mm knitting machine.
YC6 Manual | VIDEOS ON USING THE YC6: Cindy MacTaggert | Claude Masculaine |
