Blog - Herman Hills Farm

23 May 2023

Useful Tool Storage for Machine Knitting

posted in: Machine Knit, machine knitting, passap, Uncategorized | 0

It is nice to be organized and have everything you need for knitting next to your machine. My favorite tool storage containers are my 3D printed tool basket ,which fits on the Passap E6000 tension mast, and the Harbor Freight magnetic tray, which sticks to the side of a metal knitting table. Read on to see photos and links.

The 3D printed tool holder basket clips onto the E6000 tension mast (photo above). The tool basket has a solid bottom with a divider which helps keep tools upright and organized. The openwork design makes it easy to see what is inside. To mount the tool holder, simply slide the 3D printed clip onto the mast and then connect the tool holder basket. You can put two tool baskets on one clip or have a 3D printed bowl on one side and a tool basket on the other side. The tool basket is sold as a single basket (no mast clip) or as a tool basket and clip set if you do not have one of the clips. Link to the tool basket is here.

Magnetic storage is great if you have a metal knitting table. While the basic magnet containers are fairly easy to find, finding one with strong magnets is not easy to find!. Believe me, I have tried plenty in the past that would barely stay stuck to the knitting table/stand with only a latch hook in the cup. Don’t worry, there are some great ones!! The best (by far) I have found are these 2 from Harbor Freight…

The Harbor Freight magnetic storage tray. The magnets on this tray are so strong, you could load it full of heavy machine weights and it will still stay in place. There are holes on the side of the tray which can hold latch tools. The tray holds small parts, needle selectors, and everything else. The BEST thing about this tray is the magnets on the back are very strong. You can place small parts like a double eye bodkin over the magnet (on the front side) of the tray. (The magnets are behind the rectangle indentions seen in the photo). I have a small cast on comb and my double eye bodkin stuck to the magnet, not in the tray.

The Harbor Freight magnet tray is a great tool holder as it is stuck to the side of the machine table (out of the way). The magnets are super strong and hold a lot of weight. Link to the tray here. You need one! They come in a range of colors. You may want to go with the basic white color, but the bright green is super nice. I have one of these trays for each of my Passap machines and also have one on the metal leg table I use for my bulky. It may also work well on the metal Duo table too.

The other magnetic holder is the Harbor Freight magnetic strip. I don’t have a good photo, but you can view via the link.

Harbor Freight is a US company, but you may have some luck finding these items locally/online under a different brand name at a shop that sells tools/hardware type items.

passap knitting machine tray — Comb and double eye bodkin easily held by magnet for easy reach.

machine knitting tray — Tray attached to metal Japanese table.

28 Feb 2023

Excavator Machine Knit Blanket Pattern

posted in: Machine Knit, machine knitting, passap, Uncategorized | 0

I have had a few people ask for a blanket pattern for a boy so I thought I would share this pattern file here. The shared file is blank (it does not have Wyatt on the bottom) but there is plenty of room to add text on the bottom border. The graphic I used for this pattern was from the Freepik website. Many of the Freepik graphics are free for personal use as long as you link back to the website. So this pattern is for personal use. I knit my blanket in double bed jacquard on Passap E6000 knitting machine but it could be knit on any electronic machine with 200 needles. 176 stitches double bed (88-0-88 on front bed). On Passap knitting machine use technique 183, 187, or 188 for toddler/cot size blanket, or knit a large blanket/throw with T186.

Here is the link to the Designaknit DAK .spt and Wincrea .bmp files.

10 Jan 2023

Stresslaxing Passap Machine Knit Blanket

posted in: Uncategorized | 3

This was a custom request knit blanket. I thought it was an interesting knit. If you would like to knit one, I am sharing the .stp (Designaknit) and .bmp (Wincrea) files. (Please note: This blanket is a light-hearted view of stress. If you or someone you know is having serious issues dealing with stress it is best to seek help. In the US we have mentalhealth.gov for referral.

This blanket can be knit on any machine with 200 needles. I knit mine in double bed jacquard on a Passap E6000 T186. This is a large tuck throw with T186. If you want a smaller lap or cot size, knit the same file with T187. It will be smaller and the text will be more defined. This blanket can be knit on any electronic knitting machine with 200 needles. Japanese machines will knit a smaller blanket size. Cast on (#3 for Passap), T186, 88-0-88 total of 176 stitches double bed. Both end needles are on the back bed. 250 pattern rows and 1000 actual lock passes. This was knit with 2 strands 2/24 of each color tension 4.3 on both locks (Passap). Finished size 62″ wide by 74″ long knit on Passap with T186.

I am sharing the Designaknit and Wincrea files if you would like to knit your own blanket. (For personal and cottage/small business use). If you don’t have software for downloading to your Passap, there are 2 free options. Wincrea and Journal 6. I have posts on both of these on my blog.

Link to files here The link will go to the folder with both files. You will have to open the folder and select the file you want to download. You may have to click on the 3 dots at top right of page to open download menu.

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