Designing with Kniterate is presented as a series of individual classes, each focusing on stitch design fundamentals and core knitting concepts as they relate to the Kniterate knitting machine. Each session will encourage a couple hours of independent study and exploration. Details on Session 4 are below.

Session 4

Shaping is an essential part of knitwear design and is considered an extensive topic. In Session 4 we'll cover the sequence of operations and settings needed for fully fashioned decreases and increases on the Kniterate. Full fashioning provides a wonderful detail (fashioning marks), particularly on plain jersey, plain rib, and cardigan stitch (fisherman's rib) knitwear. Edge shaping, a basic technique and the method of choice when working with more complex stitch patterns, will also be presented. Racking, as it relates to shaping, is introduced.

While this class cannot provide shaping for every stitch pattern and every situation, this class will provide a strategy for approaching decreases and increases with basic single or double knit fabrics. Limitations will be discussed. Design app screenshots and guides are provided, as well as native files (.buck) for selected fabrics. This class is currently being updated to include the process of importing shapes (.txt) from DesignaKnit 9.

This class assumes familiarity with the basic knitting functions on the Kniterate, in particular the knit and transfer operations. (If you need a review, please visit Session 1 of this series.)

Your Questions Answered

Won't the future Kniterate templates include decreases and increases?

Any template for a shaped garment would indeed include decreases and increases. This class is for those who prefer to work without stock templates when creating their own designs. It's also for anyone who wants to begin shaping garments immediately.

I need help setting up and threading my Kniterate. Will you cover that in the class?

No. Though I'll help with machine settings that may have an effect on your knitting, we'll be working primarily in the Kniterate design app. Information on setting up and threading the machine can be found on the Up and Running playlist on Kniterate's YouTube channel.

You're not covering the information I need. Will there be other sessions?

In depth lessons covering advanced techniques will be offered at a later time.

How long will I have access to the lessons?

Once a session is posted, you'll be able to review it at your own pace at any time. You will also have access to updates. This is not a membership site, so there's no monthly fee.

Which version of the design app does this course cover?

This course covers the design app located at preview.kniterate.com and is being updated to reflect the newest version of the Kniterate design app located at editor.kniterate.design. Just as the older version of the design app will remain available, the current version of this Session 4 will remain available as the session is updated. Latest updates for all sessions will be posted here. What's important to remember is that though many new features have been included in the updated design app, the principles of knit design remain the same.

Will you be providing kcode of various stitches?

No, I'll be guiding you through the process of making your own stitch patterns in the design app using design principles, proven strategies, including screenshot and selected native file (.buck) examples along the way.

Do you work for Kniterate?

I am not an employee of the company. I was an early bird backer on Kickstarter and was later contracted by the company to provide virtual tours of the machine and the design app to potential purchasers.

Over the last couple of years several Kniterate owners and users have approached me requesting lessons, and I've provided hours of private Kniterate instruction to these individuals and institutions.

I created Designing with Kniterate independently to help Kniterate owners who may need help getting started with their designs. The Kniterate is an awesome digital knitting machine and I'm still learning and exploring the possibilities. I believe it's not necessary to take advantage of all the machine's capabilities, but it's wonderful if you have the foundation and a set of skills to do so.

Not ready to register? Waiting for an upcoming session?

I'll keep you updated and let you know when the next session opens. Sign up here.

Upcoming Sessions

(Tentative)

Working with Multiple Transfers

Basic Patterns Using the Miss or Float

Advanced Jacquards

Increasing Texture with Ripples

Adding Texture to Colorwork

Racking Used in Stitch Pattern Development

Stitch Libraries and Translating Stitch Patterns to the Design App

Suggest a topic.

Previous Sessions

Session 1 — Knit technology, Yarn Weight, and Programming a Welt

Session 2 — Basic Jacquards (Including Bind-Off Clinic)

Session 3 — The Tuck Loop