Machine Knitting: Essential Techniques (DVD + Streaming)

Take the mystery out of machine knitting and work big projects faster than ever! Join longtime instructor Susan Guagliumi and learn how to use a knitting machine with must-have skills. During class, Susan will guide you through the basics of how machines work and help you get started by casting on, checking tension and adding new yarns. For great shaping in all your garments, you’ll also see how to work matching increases, decreases and short rows. Want to add intriguing embellishments with your machine? You’ll discover how to work gorgeous stitch patterns, ribbing and even cables in your projects. Plus, you’ll learn to troubleshoot common mistakes and get great pointers to help prevent them in the first place.

NOTE: If you’d like to purchase only the DVD for this class, you may do so through this link. (Please note, any class PDF materials are not on the DVD itself. You must have streaming access to download those materials associated with the class.)

Understanding Your Knitting Machine (17:03)
Meet Susan Guagliumi and learn how knitting machines work, the gauges of yarn they use and some of the differences across brands and types. With an understanding of the commonalities — needle positions, carriage, tension and maintenance — you will be able to explore how your own machine works.

Casting On & Starting to Knit (18:33)
Waste yarn holds your live stitches until you’re ready to pick them up to graft or add elements such as cuffs or neckbands. Susan shows how to use waste yarn for a speedy open cast-on and begin knitting. Check your tension, play with stitch sizes, add new yarns and learn how to weave in ends automatically.

Basic Shaping & Binding Off (22:58)
Using your machine’s transfer tools, you’ll be able to manipulate stitches to create increases and decreases for shaping garments. Susan demonstrates shaping methods, shows how to create lacy eyelets and explains how to bind off using the latch tool. Practice what you’ve learned with the included baby sweater pattern.

Shaping With Short Rows (23:32)
Learn how to use needles in the hold and nonworking positions for shaping with short rows. You’ll be able to achieve a smooth angle on shoulder seams and necklines, for example, rather than the stair-steps of traditional bind-off shaping. Keep your live stitches secure by “scrapping off” with waste yarn.

Manual Patterning (15:22)
Get creative with your knitting machine using tuck-stitch and slip-stitch patterning. You can knit beautiful textures simply by manipulating the levers on your carriage to keep stitches on hold in one row and knit them on the next. Susan shows you how!

Beyond The Basics (13:51)
Susan helps you master some tricky yet rewarding techniques that will take your machine-knitting projects to the next level. Learn a stretchy alternative cast-on and a firmer, no-roll cast-on. Experiment with hand-manipulated ribbing using your transfer tools and try some simple cable crosses.

Troubleshooting & Avoiding Mistakes (19:31)
Susan helps you master some tricky yet rewarding techniques that will take your machine-knitting projects to the next level. Learn a stretchy alternative cast-on and a firmer, no-roll cast-on. Experiment with hand-manipulated ribbing using your transfer tools and try some simple cable crosses.

Susan Guagliumi

In Susan Guagliumi’s 25+ year career in the machine knitting industry, she’s represented three well-known knitting machine companies. Most recently, she acted as education director for Studio by White Knitting Machines. During those years, Susan oversaw all dealer education, consumer publications, videos and workshops. As a designer, her garment patterns and technical articles have appeared in machine knitting magazines such as Machine Knitters’ Source and hand knitting magazines such as Vogue Knitting. Susan is also the author of the ever-popular reference book Hand-Manipulated Stitches for Machine Knitters.

How will I receive my DVD class?
Your DVD will be shipped in the mail using the address you provide at checkout. Your purchase also includes access to a streaming version of the class and downloadable PDF class materials. After your purchase, you can find your streaming class and your PDF class materials by logging into your Craftsy account using the user name and password you established.

How do I access the companion materials for my DVD class?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” area, select the “Classes” content. On this page, you’ll see all classes you’ve purchased from Craftsy. Simply select the desired class from your content list, and you’ll be presented with your selected class page. From the class page you can easily view, download or print the companion class materials, which are in the “Bonus Materials” tab on the class page. You can log in any time, and download or print the companion materials as many times as you like. Companion class materials are not shipped in the mail with your DVD, and must be accessed on Craftsy.com.

How do I stream my class on Craftsy.com?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” content, select the desired class. Stream the video on-demand from the class page any time you like; your viewing access is unlimited. You can stream your class from any computer, tablet or mobile device with Internet access.

Do I have to purchase a Craftsy Membership to get my class?
No, you do not. Every DVD purchased on Craftsy.com includes both the physical DVD in the mail and unlimited on-demand streaming access at Craftsy.com. These benefits are yours with or without a Craftsy membership.

Are DVDs included in a Craftsy Membership?
No, they are not. DVDs can only be purchased on an individual basis and are not included in Craftsy memberships. For non-members, DVDs are a flexible way to purchase only the classes you love best. For members, DVDs are a great choice to build an at-home library you can keep forever and enjoy any time, with or without Internet access.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship most physical products, including DVDs, to several International destinations. In addition to the USA and Canada, we ship to Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and most Western European countries. If you live outside these countries, you can still purchase digital items including memberships, individual streaming classes, and pattern downloads.

Do your DVDs work on international players?
Yes, our DVDs should be compatible with any DVD player in use today. All our videos have been created with all current Region Codes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8). If you have trouble viewing a DVD purchased from Craftsy.com, please contact Customer Service.

What is your return policy?
We want to be sure you’re satisfied. If you have trouble playing your DVD, if the content is not correctly presented on the DVD, or you are dissatisfied with the content of your class, we will work with you. Contact Craftsy customer service via email or phone. Upon your request, and upon your return of the DVD to us, we will refund your purchase price or send you another DVD to replace a damaged or incorrect DVD, whichever is your preference. If you do receive a full refund, your streaming video class will also be removed from your Craftsy account, so on-demand video access will no longer be available to you.