Knitting Machine Tutorial

It’s a bit weird creating a tutorial that isn’t for interlocking crochet or overlay mosaic crochet. Crochet is my thing, not knitting.

As I was crocheting my February Knot Mini-Square I was suddenly desperate to make myself a bag. After making the squares I realized I’d need a handle.

My February Knot Mini-Square can be found on YouTube!

I searched my house for some extra bag straps – I like to purchase craft materials when they are on sale so I often have a stash of random things. But there were no handles that would work with this bag.

A couple years ago I did make an I-Cord handle for one of my bags. I crocheted it using 3 crochet hooks at the same time.

I created a quick video on using three crochet hooks to make an I-Cord:

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I didn’t want to deal with that again.

Then I remembered my little I-Cord machine!

I-Cord Machine to the Rescue

I really like using my Addi Express (22-needle circular knitting machine) and my Sentro (48-needle). But I hadn’t played with this little 4-pin machine much yet.

I struggled. Honestly, it was supposed to be quick and easy and it just wasn’t.

I forgot how finicky this tiny machine was regarding the type of yarn used.

In my larger machines I can use anything from sport-weight to a thick worsted weight. Some yarns work easier than others but even the stubborn yarns can be made to work if the proper amount of tension is applied.

Yarn Choice Matters

This tiny machine does not like fluffy yarn or anything that splits easily. The manual states it should be a smooth yarn that is labeled weight 0 – 3.

I used Bernat Handicrafter Crochet Thread Size 5.

I’m not 100% sure the colors in my bag match this shade of purple I used for the I-Cord Handle, but I’m pleased enough with my bag.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

The machine comes with a nice instruction page, but if you lost yours or are using a different machine then maybe my explanation can help. Some notes might be overly specfic to this machine.

Jump to video instead.

Step 1

Remove the weight from the bottom of the machine. Secure your machine to the table.

Step 2

Drop your yarn down the tube in the center of the machine. I tried putting my yarn on a needle first, but the inner tube is apparently metal and the needle stuck to the wall instead.

Step 3

Thread the machine. No matter how many needles are on your circular knitting machine you always start by skipping every other needle.

In this case we will have two needles that are skipped and two needles with yarn hooked in.

Step 4

Knot the weight to the end of the yarn that is coming out of the tube.

Step 5

Use one hand to apply tension on the yarn leading back to the skein.

Turn the crank slowly at first. It doesn’t matter which way you crank as long as you keep going the same way throughout the whole project.

Make sure all the latchhooks are opening and closing.

After a few rounds you can confidently speed up.

The weight hanging at the bottom of the I-Cord must continue to hang throughout the whole project (as in, not rest on the floor). Loop the I-Cord up if the weight reaches the floor.

Step 6

When you’re done, first remove the weight from the bottom of your I-Cord before attempting to remove your project from the knitting machine.

The loops on the machine are considered live loops. This means they will fall apart if you pull on the yarn.

When crocheting, we have one live loop – the loop on our hook. With knitting, the whole row is live.

You’ll need a needle for this. Something large enough for the yarn you’re using.

Cut your yarn, leaving a tail about 6 inches long from the last hook used. Thread your needle.

Keeping this tail away from the latchhooks (we don’t want any more stitches made) carefully, one at a time, insert through each of the loops left on the needles.

You may need to slowly crank to open the latchhooks. Make sure you don’t pull the loops off the latchhooks until you’ve put your threaded needle through it.

Step 7

Once all 4 loops are on your threaded yarn instead of the machine you will still need to knot it.

I like to use the needle and thread my yarn through the I-Cord before making a knot or two.

All Done

You can now use your I-Cord for whatever project you like!

My daughter wanted a necklace. I think it would look great with some beads or something but she wanted it simple like this.