Thursday, September 3, 2009

Ribber Lessons - So Far

Here's the list of ribber lessons for the flatbed knitting machine:

Ribber Lesson 1 - Circular Cast-On
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQZ_V5a7JLA

Ribber Lesson 2 - Full Needle Rib
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLL9FvFP318

Ribber Lesson 3 - Knit 2, Purl 2 Ribbing, Regular Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkK_jbBuiIw

Ribber Lesson 4 - Knit 2, Purl 2 Ribbing, Springy Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u90_iobGu-0

Ribber Lesson 5 - E-Wrap Cast-On for Ribbing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP0df6TU2Ro

Ribber Lesson 6 - Broken Toe Cast-On for Ribbing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSzparWeh8M

Ribber Lesson 7 - Knit 5, Purl 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdJDleJacrk

Ribber Lesson 8 - English Rib, 1x1 Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxvfW1Yuxlk

Ribber Lesson 9 - English Rib, Full Needle Rib Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPxEQuQK574

Ribber Lesson 10 - Fisherman Rib
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wTaY_nTI7Q

Ribber Lesson 11 - Circular Knitting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePB7iezULno

Ribber Lesson 12 - U-Shaped Knitting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16II1IJ6510

Ribber Lesson 13 - Loop Through loop Bind-Off for Ribbing, on Machine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSFEwMtrUZM

Ribber Lesson 14 - Loop Through Loop Bind-Off for Ribbing, Off Machine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79DXVRnESLw

Ribber Lesson 15 - Smiles & Frowns Cast-Off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV7njg7tKFE

Ribber Lesson 16 - Smiles and Frowns Cast-Off for Knit 2, Purl 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tp0fYxZm3M

Ribber Lesson 17 - Edge Decreases in Knit 1, Purl 1 Ribbing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCFA_KCf_CI

Ribber Lesson 18 - Different increases in Knit 1, Purl 1 Ribbing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgcISXFRq6M

Ribber Lesson 19 - Casting Off Part of a Row of Ribbing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulBxKrLqIuM

Ribber Lesson 20 - Racked Ribbing Pattern
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsbtXjQfh_o

Ribber Lesson 21 - Short Rowing Ribbing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=648mMUtb8co

Ribber Lesson 22 - Pintucks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_da3h0Km_xI

Ribber Lesson 23 - Ribber Tuck Stitch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFhMLi_QUcU

Ribber Lesson 24 - Drop Stitch Lace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G1QlDBnaAA

Ribber Lesson 25 - Slipped Ribbing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmmdH8Fo34c

72 comments:

  1. Thank you so much, your videos are incredibly wonderful. How generous of you to share your knowledge.
    Just to let you know the video ribber lesson #5 comes up as lesson #1, the e-Wrap Cast On.

    Again thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have got Problems to hang the comb on the zick-zack-row on the ribber when I want to do a full needle ribb. It seems that my comb is to thick to go in the spaces of the zick-zack row. When doing a ribb with evry second needle this works perfectly. Do you have a useful advice for me. Thank you for your reply

      Delete
    2. I've never heard of that before, but I do have a few ideas about it. You could have the wrong comb; there are different ones for different machines. You could have the ribber bed out of adjustment in comparison to the main bed, and for that, I recommend "Teach Your Knitting Machine to Sing," a book on machine maintenance and adjustment. I believe it's by Scott Renno.

      Delete
  2. Hi Diana

    Just a note to say that the Ribber Lesson 5 - E-Wrap Cast-On for Ribbing video is coming up as Lesson 7.
    I love your videos and really look forward to many more.

    kind regards
    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would never figure out how to use my machine without your videos. Thank You!!!

    Being able to see exactly what should be done is so much easier than trying to read a manual.

    Kudos to you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think I fixed lesson 5's link. Third time's a charm, I hope?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your videos are excellent, thank you very much for helping fellow knitters.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Diana

    Thank you very much for fixing your lesson 5 link. (e-wrapping)

    I really love your videos and hope you will make many more. I have a transfer carriage that I have tried to use with my Brother 891 machine and 850 ribber but it ends up jamming on the needles. I'm just about to give up with it. Would you have any advice as to what I may be doing wrong? I have checked the needles on the main bed and the ribber but still cannot work it.

    I have look at another Youtube video (isrbrown) where the lady uses the transfer carriage and she makes it look so easy.

    I would appreciate any advice you could offer.

    kind regard

    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cathy,

    I have a Brother transfer device, which I seldom use. For a while I used it all the time, but it created a lot of wear and tear on the needles. I got tired of changing the needles because the transfer device bent them slightly. I was SO frustrated that the needles were bent just enough to mess up when knitting but not enough to be obvious. I had to hunt to find the problem needles and then replace them.

    The garter carriage doesn't work well at all if any needles are a little bent. So, finally I decided that the Brother transfer carriage wasn't saving me any time at all and was causing too much frustration.

    The Passap transfer device is easier because you can rack the ribber bed into an in-between position so the needles are very close together. The Brother device has to move the knitting across the needles when they're aren't right together, and it does it by bending the needles a little.

    I also have a Shadow Lace Tool, also called "Jaws." It moves 20 stitches at once, and it isn't hard on the needles. I have done a garter bar video where you move 50 at once - you might try that, too.

    All these methods require some patience and practice. There is something almost magical about learning on swatches you don't care about instead of the project you're dying to make!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello Diana

    Thank you very much for your reply, which I really appreciated. I have given up on the transfer carriage, as like you said it keeps bending my needles also.

    I have just recently bought a garter bar set, so I will let you know how I get on with it.

    kind regards
    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Diana,
    I just want to thank you for your wonderful video's. I first saw them on Youtube and spent one day just watching them all!!! Fantastic!
    Regards
    Annette Sullivan
    from the UK

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you so much for your video on knitting socks on a standard machine. I have been trying to knit socks using the circular stitch without much success. Your video is so well done and very easy to follow. It is exactly what I need.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. wow! i wish my ribber was as well behaved as yours! jammed needles, sttitched dropped, woll tangled...it's a nightmare!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Can't encourage you enough to practice all the ribber lessons with swatches. Your ribber will probably behave better if you do!

    ReplyDelete
  13. i'm trying but, it doesn't get very far!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just love your videos and have watched them many times. I have a suggestion for a future video. The manual is very unclear and I wondered if you could show how to adjust the height of a brother ribber. My carriages keep coming coming apart and I think it is because the height is wrong. Thank you for all your hard work!

    ReplyDelete
  15. There is a nice guide on Ebay(of all places) on attatching and adjusting a Brother ribber. It is in 2 parts. Can't remember it's exact title, but it can be found with a google search, and is very clear and includes pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello Diana!
    Thanks you so much for your lessons, they're great!
    I have two questions about the sock lesson though:
    1) How many rows do I need to do for the foot?
    2) Everything went perfect until the foot. I was about to start the circular knitting, but the ribber carriage just wouldn't do it's part, it got stuck each time. I think it was set correctly, what could have gone wrong?

    Thanks again!!
    /Hannah

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love all your ribber videos, they are amazing. I was wondering about something you didn't cover, though. How do you make a guage swatch with a ribber? I have a standard guage machine and the instructions in the manual aren't very clear.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi, Diana;

    I understand the circular knitting with the ribber to make a stockinette tube, but I was wondering: Is it possible to make a ribbed tube by just using EON instead of every needle for 1x1 rib, and if so, couldn't that just be done for the cuff of the sock instead of having to seam?

    ReplyDelete
  19. No, you can't make tubular ribbing on a flatbed knitting machine. What you're talking about will make a flat piece of 1x1 ribbing.

    Flatbed socks will always need a ribbing seam.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you so much Diana, I may never ever know how to use my machine as easily as you seem to make it seem, but because of you I have a place to go so that I can try. God Bless you and thank you so very very much for your generosity.

    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gracias por los videos, me es de mucha utilidad. Explica claramente. Felicitaciones

    ReplyDelete
  22. Diana, I've been reading and studing your videos on ribber. Very helpful and seems easy. Thank you for doing such a great job!
    If I could only can get brave enough to attach my ribber to the main bed!
    Have you ever thought about putting together a simle video on how to set up a ribber?
    I am sure many of us would praise you forever!

    ReplyDelete
  23. A pleasure to learn with you Diana!

    Anne from Belgium

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love your videos, would like to see on putting the machine together. keep up the good work

    ReplyDelete
  25. Is there a tutorial on making button holes with a ribber. I did them manually in the past using Bond patterns but now have a bulky machine and a ribber but can't find instructions for buttonhole with KR 260 ribber.
    Diane

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ευχαριστω και εγω απο την Ελλαδα. Ευγενια -greece

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thank you so so very much!. I am new to machine knitting and i just installed my ribber and passed through the first 4 lessons. I have a question. How to you make a swatch using the ribber, the same as with main bed? I think, but might be wrong, that for k1 p1, i need to used only 30 stitches on main bed and 30 on the ribber (i have a standard machine). For double knitting - from my silver reed book - (is this the full knitting you are referring?) i have to add 60 stiches on the main bed and 60 on the ribber? Thank you. A little enlightment is neccesary :) Nico from Romania

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nico, you have the exact right idea. You want to use the needle numbers on the machine and make the swatch the same way as a main bed swatch, not really counting the ribber needles. So whatever ribber needles you use - every other, every third - use 30L to 30R on the main bed and put your markers at 21L and 21R. See my swatch lesson in the beginner course.

    Glad you're doing so well with your ribber!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Diana I was just looking into your comment section and I try to see the replys you give. one question Have you ever thought about putting together a simle video on how to set up a ribber?
    Thank you all your help.
    Raquel from Puerto Rico
    I am sure many of us would praise you forever!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi just started knitting and attached ribber. However main bed needles crash into the connecting plate. Dont know what im doing wrong. Please can anyone help.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Diana,
    I've been studying your circular sock videos and knitting a sock on my Singer 360/Ribber SRP-50 for the past few days. I'm having great difficulty knitting in the round as my machine is spontaneously tucking stitches (or rather stitches not knitting off) on the MAIN BED ONLY, unless I have excessive amounts of barrel weights and move them up every 6 rounds or so! My machine is set up to knit rounds counter-clockwise and most often the tucked sts occur on the beginning sts (right side) of the needle bed. It kind of seems like the main bed doesnt like the ribber arm....I do have the close knit bar in, I am knitting with a fingering superwash wool, at tension 7. St size knobs are set to 5 on the main carriage and 7 on the ribber carriage (manual says ribber to be 2 sizes higher than main carriage). I did check for yarn tangled in ribber arm brushes. Any suggestions as to why this may be happening would be very appreciated, as this is very frustrating!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really don't know what's happening. You're right, the close knit bar often helps with stitches not knitting off. It can also happen if the clamps are putting the main bed at the wrong angle (unlikely if you have the correct clamps), or if the weights are wrong. However, it's sounding like you need a pro repair guy to look at it. Does anybody here have any suggestions for her?

      Delete
    2. Hello Knittingnymph,
      Did you find a solution yet? I am struggling with the same problem on a Knitmaster 328 with the Ribber SRP-50 also. I also find that I need a lot of weights to have it knit properly. I use a side hanger with weight attached which I move up every 8 to 10 rows. That seems to help with the side stitches not knitting properly. I have the stitch size knobs on both the main bed and the ribber carriage on 4. I find that a higher number doesn't work well for me. Tension at the arm I have at 4 or 5.
      Mostly this works as it should, but not always...
      Did you find out what works for you?
      I know that more than a year had passed since your comment, so maybe you won't even see my reply.

      Delete
  32. How do I do boule bed jacard on brother 900

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Diana,

    thank you so much for your excellent (put in any positive adjectives you like, e.g. 'world best' would fit as well) tutorial videos!

    I also have a small problem and would be delighted if anyone could help me out.

    I recently bought a very dirty 'attic' brother kh230+kr230. I cleaned it up thoroughly, checket all the needles, lubricated it, and changed both sponge bars.

    Now, if I try to do a zig-zag row, some ribber needles simply don't catch the yarn, i.e. no zig-zag :-(

    Does someone have an idea for me?

    Greetings from far away Germany,
    Ariadne

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ariadne, my first thought is that the end brackets (those gadgets that allow you to raise and lower the ribber) as installed incorrectly. Either the brackets or the clips they go inside. Is the problem all over the bed, or at an end? Please email me (there's a link on this page).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Diana,

      I didn't see an email-link so I decided to post my reply in here.

      I will attach the ribber anew tomorrow (according to that lovely little ebay-2-part-ribber-lesson), and I'll let you know what will become of it!

      Best regards,
      Ariadne

      Delete
    2. This is what I posted on the ribber-lady's wall:

      You are an angel! Diana L. Sullivan did recommend to read your ribber-tutorial - the only thing left open is to decide, who is the most most awesome knitting-machine-lady of you two. It is hard but I'm proud to announce imho: BOTH OF YOU ARE MAGICAL.

      Thank you so much. I literally don't know what I would do without your digital help.

      Best Regards,
      Ariadne

      Diana, needless to say in simple words but I do it anyway: THANK YOU.

      Delete
    3. Ribber-lady's ribber-guide:
      http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/KNITTING-MACHINES-PART-1-INSTALLING-A-BROTHER-RIBBER-/10000000005838068/g.html

      Delete
  35. Hi Diana, I really enjoy all your tutorials. I have some on your DVDs and find your instructions very helpful. One thing I cannot find an answer to: When ribbing stripes, is there a way to weave in ends the way you do with stockinette? Thanks so much! Lili

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think your best bet is to work them into the seam allowances.

      Make sure you have long enough pieces of yarn at the joinings to sew them in.

      Delete
  36. Hi Diana,

    I have a Brother KH940 with a KR850 ribber attachment and I want to do a two colour rib where the knits and the purls are in different colours.
    The problem is that the Plating Yarn Feeder that I have for the KH940 doesn't seem to fit with the Connecting Arm of the ribber.
    The Plating Yarn Feeder pictured in the KR850 manual is different to the one in the KH940 manual and I'm wondering whether this means that there are different types of Plating Yarn Feeders for single bed and double bed usage?

    Thank you for your time, I hope you're able to make more sense of this than I am!

    Kind regards,

    Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Diana,

    I have a Brother KH940 with a KR850 ribber attachment and I want to make a rib where the knits are in one colour and the purls in another. Unfortunately the Plating Yarn Feeder that I have doesn't seem to fit with the Connecting Arm. The Plating Yarn Feeder pictured in the KH940 manual (and the one that I own) is different to the one in the KR850 manual and I'm wondering whether this means that there are different types for Plating Yarn Feeders for single bed and double bed usage?

    Thank you for your time, I hope you are able to make more sense of this than I am!

    Kind regards,

    Nadine

    ReplyDelete
  38. Yes, Nadine, it's a different plating feeder that you need for the ribber arm.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hello Diana,

    I have a question... I want to use plating technique. I have a brother machine KH820 and nowhere in the manual does it mention plating and it did not came with a plating yarn feeder. Do you know if there is one that could fit my carriage. I would like to know for both: single bed and double bed (with KR 810)

    Thank you!!

    Ana G.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hello Diana,

    I have a question... I want to use plating technique. I have a brother machine KH820 and nowhere in the manual does it mention plating and it did not came with a plating yarn feeder. Do you know if there is one that could fit my carriage. I would like to know for both: single bed and double bed (with KR 810)

    Thank you!!

    Ana G.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, I don't know. I haven't had an 820 in a long time, and I don't recall a plating feeder for it. You could contact one of the most experienced dealers, who might know whether the available feeders will interchange. That machine goes back to the mid-70s.

      Delete
  41. Hello Diana
    I am in desperate need for help. I have a Empisal Mod 280 (silverreed knitting machine) I watched your ribber lesson 12 U shaping almost 20 times. My question is. The Empisal does not have part bottons on the main carrige. I do not know how to do this on my knitting machine

    Regards Madelein Botha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a lot of manuals, but not a copy of the manual for the Silver Reed 280 ribber. What you need to do (unless you have already done it) is work all the way through your ribber manual, in order, making samples. The controls are very, very different from the Brother ribber I am using in the course. If you work those samples, you'll get a sense of what all the settings do, and you'll be much more on your way.

      Delete
    2. Thank you so much. This advice gives me a starting point. Much appreciated. Thank you also for al your helpfull videos and the fast reply.
      Madelein

      Delete
  42. You are a remarkable lady to share, teach and encourage newcomers and those wishing to widen their knowledge of Knitting Machine methods and idiosyncracies. Thank you. Fond Regards - Feina

    ReplyDelete
  43. Ihave managed to cast on a zig zag and knitted a few rows in cir ular knitting but the ribber carriage is gets harder and harder to move and then I cant move it. Do you have any idea what may be the issue? I have an Empisal KH820 with a Brother KR850 neither have had a lot of work if any before I purchased it. Knitting full needles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The yarn could be too thick. Or, perhaps the comb is not moving down as you knit. check those two thins first. Diana

      Delete
  44. Hello Diana, I write because I am having trouble of making a transition between one by one ribbing to full needle rib and maybe you could help me. What I'm trying to make is a ribbed neck with circular finish so that I can sandwich the cut and sew neckline's overlock ending in between. I managed to do it, however I got big holes in the row where I made the transition. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge ������

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What you need to do is pick up the stitch from the row below on a needle and fill in the empty needle beside it. It's tedious, but it will eliminate those holes and give a professional-looking finish.

      Delete
    2. Make sure you're picking up the stitch from the row below, NOT the ladders between stitches. Those make holes, too, just a little smaller.

      Delete
    3. Thank you so much Diana! It made a huge difference! :D

      Delete
  45. I have a Brother KH940 and KR850 ribber. I'm struggling with the ribber. I knit fine for an inch or so and then I start to drop stitches, the carriage is difficult to move and the machine jams. I noticed that my ribber sponge bar sags in the middle and wondering if that could be my problem. Any thoughts? I do not have a sponge...its just a plastic piece that runs across the ribber. Would a sponge help? If I need to replace it, where would I find a replacement? Many thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First, see if your stitches are knitting off okay. They should NOT stack up on the needles. If they're bunching up instead of knitting off, perhaps the comb is not dropping. It can get hung up on the stand or something and if it doesn't drop, your machine will act just this way. Let me know - email me (link at left side of blog).

      Delete
    2. The comb seems to be dropping just fine...I have weight on it.
      I'm really trying to cast on every other needle on the main and ribber because I want more of a hand knit look.
      However, I followed your tutorial to the letter by casting on with every needle and still failed. When the main bed knits, it's very smooth, but when the ribber knits, its bumpy, tough and many times jams. I'm using 3 weight yarn and have tried all tensions to see if that's the problem. But...even though the main bed seems smooth, it does tend to drop the stitches first and then the whole thing messes up.
      Thoughts?
      (ps...I'm a CPA also - glad to have busy season behing0

      Delete
  46. Too bad, that would have been an easy problem. I'm suspecting the ribber is out of adjustment. The brackets or ribber clamps could be the wrong ones or installed wrong. It really needs a repair guy or at least comparison to one that's knitting properly.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi Diana,
    your videos are very informative, but I am new to machine ribbers and your videos are for brother ribbers. Can you make one instructional for knitmaster ribbers. I have the sk155 and sr 155, also the sk302. I am so confused. And being 68 yrs old doesn't help either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey there… I think I know how you feel. Just be patient with yourself, and your machines, of course. Keep on and it will get easier :-)

      Delete
  48. I might do Studio ribber lessons someday, but have no immediate plans to make any.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi I've just watched lesson 3 setting up the needles on both carriages to do 2x2 ribbing. The trouble is I can put quite make out howbthe first circular rows are set up. Can you help pkease

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The ribber bed is racked (moved) to put the needles into 2x2 position and then you set the carriages to "circular knitting," which on the brother is the left part button on the main carriage and the right part slide on the ribber.

      Delete
  50. Hi, I'm a first time knitting machine user. I followed your tutorial and did some lovely 1x1 rib, thank you. Now I'd like to know how to change from the rib to stockinette stitch but can't find anything in the manual Can you help?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Use the double-eyed needle to transfer the ribber stitches to the corresponding needle on the main bed. Put the eye of the needle in the ribber needle hook, extend the needle, push the needle back down to get the stitch from the machine needle to the double eye needle. Then put the loop on the ribber needle.

      Delete