eBook An Illustrated Handbook of Machine Knitting download

This is a really good book for those of us just starting out (or coming back to) machine knitting. Lots of information. I refer to it often.

This 1989 book is a 2nd reprint of the original 1987, hard-cover, 189-page book with dust jacket. It follows in line with Weaver’s, Kinder’s and John Allen’s MK books; all 4 authors’ books are collectibles.

“An Illustrated Handbook of Machine Knitting” (IHMB) is arranged from simple-to difficult and is almost encyclopedic in its layout.

On almost every page is a black and white photo or chart, a graphic of machine stitches, a KM part, a knitted part or swatch, a technique (manual and electronic), problem-solving, and other important piece of information to demonstrate a KM concept or skill.

B.T. Batsford, Ltd., London is the publisher.

The author, Janet Nabney, has taught Machine Knitting at several Adult Education Institutes in the UK and has designed knitwear for London boutiques. She is a teacher, designer, consultant – and now an author.

Note that the MKs in use in the late 80s were pre-electronic, with ‘selectors’, meaning that MKs used hand yarn pattern manipulation and punch cards to create designs. Starting in the early to mid 90s, electronic machines were marketed and sold; these KMs had automatic patterning computer software programs pre-loaded in them, so with a ‘flip of a switch’ or an inputting of a pattern design number, designs were uploaded into the machine and used to add the design element to the garment. As time went on, companies like DAK added even more possibilities.

This book discusses standard-gauge 4.5 mm (no bulkies), single, and double bed KMs. (She discusses the following KMs and some of their attachments: Brother, Passap (double-bed), Bond, and Knitmaster.)

This book is loaded with useful information, and she utilizes step-by-step diagrams for maximum buyer learning. It is graphics-intensive, to give the learner all of the information that she can give to illustrate main points.

IHMB is easy to read because there is a clean delineation in editing between Sections and their Subsections.

There are 5 pre-Section topics: ‘Contents’, ‘Acknowledgements’, ‘Abbreviations’, ‘How to Use This Book’, and ‘Introduction: The Machine Knitter’s Progress’.

Following these are 8 main Sections: Section 1. ‘How the Knitting Machine Works‘; Section 2. ‘How the Patterning Works‘; Section 3. ‘Pattern Possibilities‘; Section 4. ‘Manual Techniques‘; Section 5. ‘Problems and Solutions‘; Section 6. ‘Compendium of Techniques‘; Section 7. ‘Design Possibilities‘; and Section 8. ‘Appendix‘.

Note, for example, that there are 10 Subsections to Section 3., and here they are:
1. How Patterns are Produced
2. Tuck Stitch
3. Slip Stitch
4. Fair Isle
5. Problems in Fair Isle Knitting
6. Punch Lace
7. Plaiting
8. Weaving
9. Lace
10. Comparison of Lace
Buy the book to see the Subsections for the rest of the book.

Next, there is 1 post-Section:
A. ‘Index’

This book, “An Illustrated Handbook of Machine Knitting”, should be on the shelves of all MKers because most KMs now aren’t manufactured anymore and the existing ones are tenaciously kept, with some resold over time to a new gaggle of people who are interested in learning how to: MK and make clothing and other items of interest, requiring owning and using this book.

In short, the dwindling numbers of KMs, like the limited copies of good knitting and instruction books like this one, are treasures. Nab them while you still can!