Creating lace on a PB8 knitting machine without a lace carriage was easy but time consuming, however, the result was wonderful. It is entirely possible with some creativity and manual manipulation to knit lacey designs on any knitting machine. I have an old Empisal PB8 knitting machine and I wanted to try a simple lacey design which was just creating controlled holes. Read on if you want to see what it looked like. I believe the Brother PB8, Jones PB8 and the Empisal PB8 are virtually the same machine. All are standard gauge and use 8 buttons to create patterns.

What you need to knit lace on a PB8 knitting machine without a lace carriage.

I wanted to try doing the easiest lace pattern to see if it would work. The idea is to make “holes” which are staggered in the next rows and to create a plain section and a Lace section.

To start with I got some 4 ply wool and my multiple transfer tool together. I had read in a couple of older Brother books how to make eyelets, I was in fact just making eyelets but in a structured way to make a “holey” pattern. The book suggested the multi transfer tool as you can transfer multiple stitches at a time. This cuts done the donkey work in doing it stitch by stitch. These multi tools are available online for under £5.00. The whole process is addictive and repetitive but very nice as it worked a treat. Look at the free downloads below for books for lace on PB8 inspiration.

TOP TIP: Make sure you use the transfer tool for your gauge of machine, the needle spacing differs for each gauge.

Start to knit lace on a PB8 standard gauge knitting machine.

• Cast on at least 30 stitches for your trial swatch.
• Create a rib or plain knit of about 20 rows.Transfer all stitches to the main bed.
• Leave at least 6 stitches on each edge at all times.
• Use your mult transfer tool to transfer every second stitch onto the stitch next to it to your right.

 

 

• PIN IT
     
  PIN IT
• This make the hole bit of the eyelet. I need to say that you can move the stitch to the right or the left. I just moved it to the right.
• Push the needle that has no thread on it to the front in line with all the other needles. Knit 2 rows. It should make a stitch on the needle that had nothing on it and you now have an eyelet.

• To knit the 2nd row of lace on a PB8 you need to make the next eyelet in the middle of the holes.
• Repeat the above process using the multi tool. Select the stitch between the holes and move to the right.

   

• Push the empty needles to the knit position and once again knit 2 rows.
• Repeat the process as many times you like to form a pattern. You can of course knit plain rows in between or increase the knit of 2 rows to make the pattern different.

 

Finding ideas and patterns for lace on the PB8 using old books and magazines.

Using the above technique for making holes, you should be able to follow lace drawings as lace on a PB8, is just a series of holes placed at regular intervals on a row by row to form a pattern. I have not yet completed any garment using this process as I have been busy completing other unfinished projects. I plan a cardigan for the Spring and will be knitting it in December.

Free downloads of knitting magazines and fashion books.

I have some downloads to share with you. Please enjoy them.

Download 1 : Brother pushbutton pattern book.                                                                   Download 2 : Brother home study course.

Download 3: Brother fashion book 8                                                                                        Download 4: Brother fashion book 9

Download 5: Brother fashion book 10                                                                                       Download 6: Brother fashion book 11

Download 7: Brother fashion book 12

 

HAPPY KNITTING!!

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