LK 150 Fairisle Tutorial

The method illustrated in the LK 150 Instruction Manual is actually a variation of Slip Stitch, and knits only one color at a time. If there are two colors in a row of the pattern, it requires two passes of the carriage to knit the row; if there are three colors, it requires 3 passes; 4 colors require 4 passes, and so on. There is an excellent demonstration of this method on the video which comes packed with the LK 150 knitter. It would be a good idea to watch this segment of the tape while learning this technique. We will also cover two slightly different methods later, which are not included in either the manual or tape.

The fabric shown here is a simple two-color Fairisle resembling small windowpanes or squares.

This is the chart, shown on page 21 of the LK 150 Instruction Manual. It is read from the bottom upwards. It shows two widthwise repeats of the pattern, and needles should be selected all the way across the fabric in the established pattern selection.

Rows are numbered along the left edge. Symbols on the right side of the bottom line show how to set the carrriage. II means set Russel Levers forward, O means set Side Levers forward. Since there are no other marked lines on the chart, this setting will be used throughout. Letters in the second column from the right indicate yarn color A and yarn color B; use the color indicated by the chart, row by row. Arrows in the right column indicate the direction the carriage will move on the next row of knitting. Colored (marked) squares indicate needles which must be pulled forward to pos D before knitting the row. Needles in pos D are the ones that will knit; the yarn will simply pass in front of the needles in pos B, forming a slip float.

It takes two passes of the carriage to make one row of knitting. On the second row, the needles which were in pos D for the first pass will be left in pos B, needles which were in pos B on the first pass will be brought forward to pos D, yarn will be changed in the carriage feeder, and the groups of stitches reversed from the first pass will knit and slip.

We will now knit this pattern, following the chart.

1. Set the carriage. Both Side Levers (the rear levers) should be pulled forward to the Dot position. Both Russel Levers should also be forward to the II position. Carriage is on right side of bed. Select pattern needles, reading the marked squares from row 1 at the bottom of the chart. Place yarn A in carriage and knit 1 row across to the left.

2. Reading from the chart, select pattern needles. This will be the opposite needles from those selected in step 1. Change to yarn B in carriage and knit 1 row.

3. Reading from the chart, select pattern needles. This will be the same selection as for step 2. Knit 1 row to the left.

4. Select pattern needles. This will be the same as step 1. Change to yarn A, knit 1 row. Select same needles and knit 1 more row. Continue on in this manner, selecting needles and changing yarn according to the chart.

Go to Fairisle Method 2

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Irene Woods
P.O. Box 637
Wickenburg, AZ 85358
(928) 684-2969

Email: irenewoods@clearwater.net