Knitting Machine Maintenance Archives

How To Clean a Knitting Machine

May 16, 2023May 16, 2023Heidi Hennessy

How to clean a knitting machine

Knitting machines can be old, like a few decades old. Never fear, when cleaned and oiled most machine work great!

Working on a well oiled and clean machine makes all the difference. Your carriage will glide smoothly across the needle bed, your buttons will push in smoothly, and all the flippers, springs, and do-dahs will move freely. It is worth giving your machine some cleaning love whether she is new to you, or you haven’t worked on her in a while. She deserves it and you’ll be a happy knitter! I’ll walk you through the products I use and where to use them so your machine will be happy and ready for all the knitting fun you can bring!

Watch this step by step video and get your machine knitting smooth as butter!

How’s that clean machine working? Are you ready to move on and learn some machine knitting skills?

Watch my video over on my YouTube channel on how to do my favorite cast on, the double eWrap!

Want to learn more, like a LOT more about machine knitting? Head directly over to my YouTube channel. You’ll find videos on casting on, binding off, making a swatch, hems, button bands and more!

How To Set Up A Knitting Machine

May 16, 2023May 16, 2023Heidi Hennessy

How to set up a knitting machine

Are you new to machine knitting or maybe your machine has been collecting dust?

I am here to set you up for success. Getting that machine set up properly is of utmost importance. There are lots of working parts which, if not set up properly, will cause your machine to not knit and can possibly damage your machine. I will walk you through step by step in my clear and easy to follow along videos. Let’s get your machine set up for success.

Watch this step by step video and your machine will be set up for success!

Now that you can learn how to set up your machine, make sure it is clean and ready to rock and roll.

Watch my video over on my YouTube channel on how to clean and oil your knitting machine. Your machine will be so happy!

Want to learn more, like a LOT more about machine knitting? Head directly over to my YouTube channel. You’ll find videos on casting on, binding off, making a swatch, hems, button bands and more!

How To Change a Sponge Bar on a Knitting Machine

February 20, 2023May 16, 2023Heidi Hennessy

How to change a sponge bar on a knitting machine

First, let's talk about what a sponge bar is

A sponge bar is found in several brands, makes and models of knitting machines. Not all knitting machines have them but for the ones that do, it is an important part of a well functioning machine. The sponge bar is a long, flat piece of metal that has a channel in it where a strip of sponge rubber is glued into that channel.

The sponge bar servers a few purposes. First, it holds the needles securely in place by providing a bit of resistance on the top of the needle which keeps them from falling out of the knitting machine. Second, it cushions the needles as they move in and out of the machine while knitting, which can reduce wear and tear on both the machine and the needles. Finally, and most importantly, a good sponge bar keeps those needles under pressure providing the optimum knitting condition.

Sponge Bars

New sponge bars and sponge bars that are still in good shape have a tall layer of rubber sponge that is visible and still has some bounce to it when you push on it. The sponge should spring back up and maintain its shape after pressed down on.

They come in different lengths to correspond with your knitting machine make and model requirements. The color of the sponge can be different from each manufacturer. And lastly, the plastic end pieces may look different for each brand of machine.

The top 2 sponge bars came out of a knitting machine to show they are still in working order.

The bottom 2 are new sponge bars.

How to know when you should inspect your sponge bar

Knitting on a machine with a bad sponge bar is not only frustrating, it can also be damaging to your needles or carriage. Making sure your sponge bar is in tip top shape is a much easier and cheaper fix than replacing broken needles or fixing a broken carriage! Below are some signs that show your sponge bar may have gone flat and is no longer working properly.

– When knitting on your knitting machine and you notice:

Grinding sounds when you pass the carriage over the needles
The carriage gets jammed midway across the knitting
Needles drop stitches
When you push down on the needles, they spring up or have some give/bounce to them

– If you have a knitting machine that hasn’t been used in over a year.

– When you’ve just purchased or were gifted a used machine.

– Even if that machine looks new, it’s always good to check that sponge bar first.

If any of the above applies to you, then it’s time to check your sponge bar. Below is what an old sponge bar might look like. Yuck, right?

An deteriorated sponge bar
that needs to be replaced

Here is a good look at 2 sponge bars side by side.

The top sponge bar was taken out of this knitting machine. Look at the sponge. It is completely flat. And you can see the wear marks form the needles.

I will replace the old sponge bar on the top with the new sponge bar on the bottom.

Ok, so you now realize that yep, your sponge bar needs replacing

Don’t panic, it happens all the time. And the fix is rather easy! I created a video you can watch as I walk you through step by step on changing that yucky old sponge bar. Let’s do this!

Where to buy a new sponge bar

There are a few places you can buy sponge bars. But the place where I go over and over is The Knitting Closet. You can search for your make and model so that you get the sponge bar that will fit your machine perfectly! Click on the link below.

Now that you know what a sponge bar is, how it works, how to tell if yours needs to be checked and finally how to change your old one out for a new one, you will be on your way to smooth machine knitting!