machine knitting tutorial

Oct 3
2025

How to Knit a Sweetheart Bodice on a Knitting Machine – New Pattern and Tutorial!

by Lauren

I am so excited to be back today with a new machine knitting tutorial for you! In this new tutorial, I walk you through all of the steps to knit my new pattern “Total Sweetheart“, which was inspired by my knitted wedding dress!

While I also have a pattern that is closer to the original design of my wedding dress that uses a standard gauge machine and ribber attachment, I designed this one so that it could be made on an LK150. Because it uses a sport weight yarn, you can also knit it on a standard gauge (4.5mm) machine. With this design the traveling rib pattern is latched up, so you don’t need a ribber to make it and can use any flat bed machine.

There are also 2 other versions of this bodice within the pattern that you can make, that are equally as cute! There is a “Slanted” version (blue) which has the beautiful fanned out design created by the transfer rows, but without the latched up ribbing so it takes less time, and a “Simplified” version (pink) which has the increases at the side rather than at the bust darts, making it the speediest option to knit up. It is up to you, and I talk through all of the different options in the video.

In the new tutorial, first I show you how to cast on for mock ribbing for the bottom band, which is a folded hem that looks ribbed but doesn’t require a ribber. Next, I walk through how to work the transfer rows and do increases for the darts that make this bodice fit so beautifully. Then I show you how to do the sweetheart neckline using short rows, an amazing technique that I was so excited to figure out! Lastly, I show you how to knit the picot edge, seam the sides and neckline, and a couple different options for adding straps to the bodice. The tutorial can be found on YouTube here.

The yarn I feature in this new pattern and tutorial is Hobbii Friends “Extra Fine Merino”. I love this yarn because it is so super soft, and wonderful to work with on the machine! It is a 100% superwash merino, and comes in an amazing array of colors. I featured the Olive, Deep Ocean, Dark Denim, and Dusty Rose colors which were my personal faves.

You can also use your preferred sport weight yarn as long as you’re able to get the gauge, which is 27 stitches and 39 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch. I used T2.5 on my LK150 to get this gauge, and T9 on my standard gauge machine. The pattern comes in 10 sizes that range to fit a 30-60″ bust, and more info about sizing and yardages can be found on the Ravelry page here.

If you do have a standard gauge knitting machine with a ribber attachment, and would like to use it to make the original design of the bodice, you can check out that pattern here! Fair warning that it is quite challenging as there are a lot of transfers and short rows which can be a bit tricky with 2 beds, but if you are up for the challenge it is a rewarding result! There is also a simplified version of this design within the pattern that primarily uses the main bed, and is also and option. This design uses a 4-ply/fingering weight yarn, so is finer than the other bodice.

Lastly, I also just published another design, “Flora Aura“, that is similar to these in that it has a traveling rib pattern and sweetheart neckline. This one has a 3×3 rib pattern, so a little different (and reminds me of a cactus!) This design uses a 4-ply/fingering weight yarn, and requires a standard gauge machine with a ribber attachment. Like the “Bridal Bodice” pattern, it is quite challenging, but so amazing to accomplish!

I hope you enjoy the new designs, and if you are a hand knitter, I’ve got you girl! “Total Sweetheart“, “Bridal Bodice“, and “Flora Aura” are also hand knitting patterns. I had a lot of fun knitting these traveling rib bodices by hand, and think you will too!

💜 Lauren

Dec 12
2024

Machine Knit Ruffle Scarf – New Pattern and Tutorial

by Lauren

Back in September ’21, I decided to come to the UK to do my masters in fashion knitwear design! I studied at Nottingham Trent University, which is known for its fabulous knitwear facilities. Even though I worked in NYC as a fashion designer for 15 years, fun fact, I was self-taught and had never actually gone to fashion school! I always thought it would be fun to study fashion and explore my creativity, creating a collection based on whatever was of interest to me. After looking into the MA program, applying, and being accepted (along with a partial scholarship!), I was so excited for the adventure ahead.

The first week of the program we were asked to decide what we wanted our project to be, then spent the rest of the year carrying out that vision. I decided I wanted to design a collection of knitted evening dresses, because I had always been in awe of glamorous gowns, and thought that exploring that would push me creatively. What kinds of yarns would lend themselves to evening wear? What sort of techniques would make sense to use? Knitwear isn’t common in formal wear, so I loved the creative challenge.

One technique that I explored every which way of doing was knitting ruffles. I wanted to create volume with my dresses, and kept thinking about how I could do that. One way you can create ruffles, which is the same technique you would use to knit a circle skirt, is by using short rows. This is a method that machine knitting really lends itself to.

Another way you can knit ruffles, which I came upon after much experimentation, is by knitting long panels, and then rehanging them 3-4 stitches at a time to create that gathered effect. While it may seem intuitive to do this, one limitation you might find is that the panels will be limited to the width of your flat bed. To get around this, I decided to knit panels in long vertical strips, and then rehang the rows. Using this method, the length of your ruffles and how much you can gather them is unlimited!

In my new pattern and tutorial for my “Ruffles on Ruffles” Scarf, I show you how to do these two approaches. The scarf is first knitted by using short rows, and then another ruffle is knit vertically and added onto it for a doubley ruffley scarf. You can use any flat bed knitting machine to make this design, and the pattern includes instructions for using either a standard gauge (4.5mm) or mid-gauge (6.5mm) knitting machine, with suggested tensions for various yarn weights. This pattern is very versatile, and a great way to use up some of the lightweight yarns in your stash!

I hope you enjoy this tutorial, and have fun knitting ruffles! This scarf was one of the many pieces that made it into my final collection. If you want to see the rest of the collection and learn more about my research and inspiration, check out the website I created for my masters at laurenriker.com. Would love to know what you think!

💜 Lauren

Jun 18
2021

How to Knit Lace on an LK150 Knitting Machine using the Needle Beetle

by Lauren

Hello! Today I have a new video tutorial where I will be showing you how to knit lace on your LK150 knitting machine using the Needle Beetle by Kris Krafter. The Needle Beetle is an automatic needle selector and will help you knit lace by selecting which stitches you will need to transfer each row for your lace pattern, eliminating potential mistakes and making the transfers much easier to see. The Needle Beetle selects repeats of 8, so you can use it with any pattern that is a multiple of 8 stitches. Check out the video to learn more about the Needle Beetle and see it in action to fully understand how it works and can help you knit lace.

In this demo I show you how to read a lace chart and translate that to the Needle Beetle. I walk you through every row of a 26 row lace chart which is the lace pattern featured in my two newest designs, “Awesome Blossoms” Lace Sweater and Dress and “Lace for Days” Leg Warmers. After the lace demo, I show you how to do a latched up ribbed edge, a technique used in the leg warmers pattern. To give you an idea of how quickly you can knit lace on a knitting machine using the Needle Beetle, the picture below is the front of the sweater which I knitted in only one day!

LK150-lace-knitting-pattern-using-needle-beetle

“Awesome Blossoms” is a machine knitting pattern that can be either a sweater or a dress, and is based off of an existing hand knitting pattern I designed years back called “Take a Bow”. This sweater is updated from the original design to have a crew neckline and sloped shoulders so that you can add sleeves. I’ve added an additional .pdf to “Take a Bow” so you can make these mods with the hand knitting pattern – if you have purchased the pattern you should have received an update! I love this design as a drop shoulder sweater with sleeves, and I hope you do too. The yarn I used for this sweater is a gorgeous DK Merino Silk blend which unfortunately is discontinued, but a yarn that has the same fiber content and is just as beautiful is Knit Picks “Gloss DK” which I used for another one of my machine knit samples as well as the original hand knit version.

awesome-blossoms-magenta-lace-sweater-with-sleeves-lk150-machine-knitting-pattern-2

awesome-blossoms-magenta-lace-sweater-with-sleeves-lk150-machine-knitting-pattern-3

I hadn’t thought of this dress design being a beach cover up before, but this cotton yarn I used from Knitcrate inspired it! This yarn is so much fun – it is a Pima Cotton with a subtle variegation that almost makes it look tie dyed when knit up, especially in lace. It was a limited edition yarn called Uru Yarn Cotton Basic that is now sold out, but I’m wondering if there’s something similar out there? If a yarn comes to mind let me know! I’ve also seen knitters make this dress into a graduation dress, a wedding dress (!), and an everyday top, it’s so versatile! Any DK yarn will work with this pattern (as long as you’re able to get the gauge stated) so I encourage you to go ahead and use your favorite.

awesome-blossoms-blue-lace-dress-beach-cover-up-lk150-machine-knitting-pattern-3

awesome-blossoms-blue-lace-dress-beach-cover-up-lk150-machine-knitting-pattern-4

This is another version of “Awesome Blossoms” with just a touch of lace, that is included as an option within the pattern. This version is nice in that it knits up faster with less lace, and that you can just wear a bra with it without worrying about having to wear a tank top underneath. Which version do you prefer? One knitter pointed out that this lace pattern looks like tulips which was inspiration for the name, do you see them?

awesome-blossoms-mauve-short-sleeved-lace-sweater-lk150-machine-knitting-pattern-1

awesome-blossoms-mauve-short-sleeved-lace-sweater-lk150-machine-knitting-pattern-3

“Lace For Days” is a leg warmer pattern that features the same lace pattern as above, but on a much smaller scale if you want a quick win! Wear them under boots, over tights, or to lounge around in to make your legs look pretty. Available in 5 sizes to fit Girls-Adult, this is both a hand knitting and machine knitting pattern and you will get both when you buy the pattern. They feature Skacel Knitting’s “Simplicity” Metallic which has just a hint of glimmer to give your legs some extra sparkle.

lace-for-days-grey-lace-leg-warmers-knitting-pattern-4

lace-for-days-grey-lace-leg-warmers-knitting-pattern-6

A couple other things I mention in the video are the handheld steamer I use, and an invite to join my machine knitting facebook group!

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and and learned something new about using the Needle Beetle. If you do make any of these designs, please share photos on Ravelry or Instagram where I’m @girlyknits, I would love to see what you make! To see all of my LK150 machine knitting patterns, check them out here.

Happy Knitting!

💜 Lauren

Mar 10
2021

How to Knit a Top and Skirt Set on a Knitting Machine – Beginner LK150 Tutorial

by Lauren

sweater top and skirt lk150 machine knitting pattern

Hi There! I’m so excited to be back today with another machine knitting tutorial! I’ve just come out with a brand new 5-part video series covering all the techniques used to make my new top and skirt set design “You Glow Girl“. This pattern comes in 10 sizes ranging to fit a 32-50″ bust and 34-52” hips, which you can find on Ravelry here! If you get the pattern you can make it alongside me in this video series where I walk you through every step. This set is also available as a hand knitting pattern here.

The yarn I use in the demo and pictured here is Lion Brand “Date Nights” in the Lapis color. It is so sparkly and fun and I absolutely loved knitting with it! It also has great elasticity which is perfect for this fitted design.

We start by making the Top, and in Video #1 we make the front of the Top. The techniques I cover are how to cast on and knit mock ribbing, how to knit the increase rows at the bust and customize the length of the top, how to bind off for the underarms, shape the underarms, put the left side and neckline on hold, and how to shape the neckline. I then show you how to knit the short row shoulder shaping, how to scrap off the shoulder and neckline, and lastly how to knit the other side mirroring the shaping and short rows.

In Video #2, we make the back of the Top and I show you how to knit this optional keyhole. I show you how to scrap off half of your knitting to create the keyhole, tips for customizing your keyhole size, how to do the short row shoulder shaping, place your back neckline stitches on hold, shape the back neckline, and scrap off the shoulder and back neckline. I then show you how to rehang your other side and mirror the shaping and holding. Lastly, I show you how to join the shoulders using a 3-needle bind off to prepare for knitting the neckband.

In Video #3, we knit the neckband! I’ve seen a lot of requests for how to knit a neckband on an LK150, and am so happy to be able to show you how it’s done in this tutorial. I cover every detail of how to pick up the neckband of your sweater, including how to pick up selvedge stitches, held stitches, the ratio at which to pick them up, and how to pick up before and after the scrapped off neckline stitches to ensure a smooth transition. I then show you how to knit the neckband and offer tips for fixing dropped stitches. Lastly I show you how to join the other shoulder using a 3-needle bind off, seam the neckband to the inside of your sweater top, and lastly seam the neckband edges together.

In Video #4, we talk about the sleeves! I cover how to knit the two decrease rows at the top of the sleeve on your knitting machine to create the puff sleeve look, how to bind off, and exactly how I seam the sleeves to the Top using mattress stitch.

Lastly, in Video #5 we cover how to knit the skirt waistband. I show you how you can use ravel cord to help you pick up your waistband, how to knit the waistband, pick up and hang the first row of the waistband, join the picked up row, then how to bind off using a backstitch bind off to finish the waistband. I then explain how the skirt is seamed together and lastly offer tips for inserting elastic into your waistband for extra support if you desire.

I’ve also made this set using Lion Brand “Pound of Love” in Maize (pictured right), which turned out super cute as well!

If you would like the pattern for just the top, it’s available that way too. The tops pictured below were made using Knit Picks “Brava Worsted” in Cobblestone Heather and Eggplant. I am wearing the 3rd size in the pattern, and the purple top is made in the 8th size.

I hope you enjoy this new design! To see all of my LK150 machine knitting patterns, check them out here.

Happy Knitting!

💜 Lauren

sweater top lk150 machine knitting pattern

Oct 14
2020

How to Knit a Lace Dress on a Knitting Machine – Beginner LK150 Tutorial

by Lauren

Hey there! I’m super excited to be back again today with another machine knitting tutorial! This time we’ll be knitting lace which is so much fun! There are so many interesting things you can do with your knitting machine, and lace is one of those techniques that it so rewarding and fun to watch take form.

In this video tutorial, I’ll be walking you through all of the techniques used in my new dress design “Wild Irises”, which is available as a Girls Dress Pattern and Adult Dress Pattern. Not only is this a machine knitting pattern, it is a hand knitting pattern as well and you will get both when you purchase the pattern!

In the video tutorial, I first show you how to cast on and do a decorative picot hem. Then I walk you through every row of the lace chart and how to read the symbols. Next I show you how to scrap off and rehang your knitting to create a gather, then how to finish your knitting with a picot edging. Lastly I show you how to add I-Cord straps directly onto your knitting, and all of the finishing techniques I used for the dress.

Here is the chart below for you to follow along with while watching the video tutorial. In the video I take you through each lace row and explain what the symbols mean, so no worries if it doesn’t make sense yet!I hope you enjoy this tutorial and that you have as much fun as I did knitting this lace pattern! If you do make this dress, please share photos on Ravelry or Instagram where I’m @girlyknits, I would love to see what you make! 😊 To see all of my LK150 machine knitting patterns, check them out here.

Happy Knitting!

💜 Lauren

Here are the links mentioned in the video:

Girls Dress Pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wild-irises-girls-dress

Women’s Dress Pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wild-irises-lace-dress

Yarn Used in Demo: Lion Brand Low Tide

Yarn used for other Dresses: Knit Picks Brava Worsted

7-Prong Transfer Tool

Handheld Steamer

Jul 15
2020

How to Knit Shorts and Pants on a Knitting Machine – Beginner LK150 Tutorial

by Lauren

Hey Guys! I’m super excited to be back with another machine knitting tutorial! This time we’re talking about shorts and pants, woohoo! I have two brand new designs, “Cozy Up With Me” Shorts and “Cozy Up With Me” Pants. They come in sizes 0-26 and have tons of options for making them custom to you. The techniques used for both designs are the same so you can use this video tutorial for either pattern. And, if you’re a hand knitter, I’ve got you too! These are also available as knitting patterns (featured in fun colorful yarns!) as “Ombre All Day” Shorts and “Ombre All Day” Pants.

In the video I demonstrate making the size Small Shorts, and walk you through every step including how to cast on with waste yarn, knit and join the bottom leg bands (including how to do a picot hem), how to bind off for the crotch, shape the front and back, do short rows at the top of the shorts, knit the waistband, add an eyelet for a drawstring, how to fold and join the waistband on the machine, and bind off using a backstitch bind off. I then show you how to seam the 2 legs together, and finally demonstrate the steps for knitting an i-cord drawstring on your machine. I hope you find this video tutorial helpful and that you learn some new things!

The yarn I use in this tutorial is Lion Brand “Touch of Alpaca” in Blush, the grey shorts pictured use Knit Picks “Brava Worsted” in Cobblestone Heather, and the yarn I used for the knitted pants is Lion Brand “Pound of Love” in Charcoal (and I only used 1 skein!) These are all great options that come in beautiful heather colorways, but any worsted weight yarn you like will work.

If you make either the of these designs please post a photo on Ravelry, or tag me on instagram, @girlyknits! There is nothing I love more than seeing your creations! To see all of my LK150 machine knitting patterns, check them out here.

💜 Lauren