Toyota Knitting Machine

[the.fee.fairy]

A very nice freecycler was giving it away, so i claimed it.

Anyone got one? How do you use them? I've not lookd at it properly yet, and there'sa mountain of bits and books and magazines that came with it.

Eek...how exciting!

So...does anyone have one? Made anything with one?

[mrsflibble]

I think mine is a....


nope. sorry. it's a jones.

[StripyPixieSocks]

I got a Brother one from Freecycle about a week ago and I have no idea how to use it either so we're in the same boat Fee.

I'm assured once they are set up they are really easy to use but I'm still nervous :D

[mrsflibble]

look for the serial number, either ring a local sewing machine shop to see if they can order a manual, or try and find the customer service centre of the particular compan your machine is made by.


or if its a really old one, look on ebay.

[Big Al]

I got a Brother one from Freecycle about a week ago and I have no idea how to use it either so we're in the same boat Fee.

I'm assured once they are set up they are really easy to use but I'm still nervous :D

I've got a brother one in the front room with all the gubbins and also a ribbing attachment..... and the instruction books all from 1976.

We used the table for an ironing board right up until my mother dropped off the perch in 2006.

Just thought, I vould make dishcloths with iot couldn't I... [sorry an in joke for mrs BA if she reads this bit....] it's a while since I had a kicking...

edited for an addition.

[mrsflibble]

only use an ironing board for an electric sewing machine if you have really solid floors. we dont, i used to use a little folding table in the livingroom but the timing on my old machine got soooo bad from being bumped about all the time under its own inertia (sympathetic vibrations?)that it broke, and as it was a one piece plastic jobby it wasnt repairable.

i now have a more sturdy machine, but i wont take chances with it.

[the.fee.fairy]

I've got the manual...and the ribber...and the lace maker...and the tracer. In fact, i believe i have every accessory made for the thing.

I've read the novel that came with it and am still not overly enlightened as to how...

I'll have to see if i can set it up on Friday and have a good look. It'll give me something to do while i dye my hair (it'll probably end up purple as well...). Just need to get some machine yarn...

[mrsflibble]

lace maker and ribber??? ooooo sounds so snazzy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JulieSherris]

Hey Fee, my mum had a Brother Jones machine for years (bought in 1984) & yep, she got the ribber, lacer, intarsia carriage extra weights, automatic colour changers, computerised intarsia pattern makers, the proper 7ft table/cupboard... well, you get the idea !
I inherited it when she died, but honestly, it was all a bit too full on for me (I much prefer hand knitting) and took up too much space too, so it was sold on ebay in 2005 for nearly £1700!!

She used to knock out 3 or 4 jumpers a day at one point in cotton - she worked for a craft lady who took bespoke orders... now - First find the main manual & set the machine up on a firm table.... then start attaching all the wobbly bits, like the yarn holders....make sure you have your bottom combs ready, get your yarn/yarns ready & threaded & back & forth you jolly well go!

You'll find a lot of info on the web, but if you get really stuck, give me a shout... I'll do my best to remember!

Have fun

[the.fee.fairy]

Thanks Julie.

I think i need to purchase a new accessory kit - it doesn't appear to be with it.

I gave it a go and made a piece of material about an inch wide, but i did something wrong and it all went loopy after a while... Ill see if i can give it another go at some point - someone's just given me a huge bag of yarn!