About the Knitting Studio
Online Machine Knitting Sessions
Learn at your own pace with lessons online! Whether you need to gain a better understanding of your machine, develop your machine knitting skills, or want to work on a particular project, help is just a click away through these online sessions.
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Check out this Newsletter for helpful information and to get prepared for your online machine knitting lessons!
What is a Knitting Machine?
A knitting machine is a device used to create knitted fabrics in a semi or fully automated fashion. These types of machines were first introduced for home use in the 1950s and the machines we use in our studio were introduced in 1980s. There are many different types of knitting machines, and many kinds of fabrics can be created, ranging from a plain jersey to complex and intricate patterns including cables, fair isle, rib, and lace. There are also some Modern Electronic Knitting Machines, which can have automatic patterning, as well as motorized row knitting.
Differences between Hand Knitting and Machine Knitting
With machine knitting, fabric can be produced much quicker and more evenly textured than when done by hand. A variety of stitches can be designed with the machine; some such as tuck, and fair isle are knitted with the help of a punch card or electronic patterning. When the machine is set up for patterning, the appropriate needles are selected to create the chosen designs. The standard gauge knitting machine has a bed of 200 needles, which can knit yarns of various weights from thin/fine yarn to sport-weight. It can also knit a slightly heavier weight such worsted when using every other needle, and set to the loosest stitch dial setting. The bulky/chunky gauge knitting machine can knit sport-weight to heavier yarns, and has a bed of 110 needles.
Joanna is originally from Toronto Canada and has been in the fashion industry for most of her life. She graduated from the Academy of Design and Technology's Fashion Design program in the year 2000 and has worked for various fashion and knitwear designers. Knitwear and working with knitting machines have been a big part of her life. In Toronto, she created her own sewn and knitwear fashion labels. After graduating, she was an instructor for the Academy in Machine Knitting and Fashion Illustration. All of this has given her much experience with the fashion industry and also great expertise in teaching machine knitting classes in person and online. Joanna also refurbishes knitting machines for use in her studio, for her customers, and for listing on her Etsy shop. Joanna has also been teaching Lindy Hop Swing classes since 2002, and owned dance schools and entertainment groups in Toronto. After creating The Knitting Studio, and living in Rochester, NY for several years, Joanna is now back in Toronto, Canada. She looks forward to meeting machine knitting enthusiasts in person as well as virtually!