Kniterate Digital knitting machine Instruction Manual

The digital knitting machine for your workshop
Instruction and safety manual v2.1.6

2 3
Thank you for purchasing a Kniterate digital knitting machine!
Before using the machine, carefully read the safety instructions
and study this manual for the correct operation of the various
functions. Keep this manual where it can quickly be accessed
for future reference. All information in this manual may be
subject to change; images are provided for reference and may
be slightly dierent from your product.
Please always make sure that you use the most updated
instructions for your machine. Visit www.kniterate.com to find
the latest version.
We hope you will enjoy knitting your designs and we’re looking
forward to seeing your creations!
PLEASE KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR REFERENCE

4 5
Controller
Data input
Control system
Control display
Other
Size
Weight
Power
Shipping size
Shipping weight
SD card
Stored program for flat knitting machine
Multicolor LCD panel. Menu in English
152 x 70 x 65 cm / 60” x 28” x 26”
210 kg / 463 lbs
Domestic socket 110-240V 10A
Max consumption 1000W
180 x 100 x 90 cm / 71” x 39” x 35”
305 kg / 672 lbs
Specifications
Gauge
Number of needles
Knitting width
Knitting speed
Stitch density
Racking
Knitting system
Needle selection
Transfer
High takedown roller
Tension devices
Stop motion
Drive system
Safety devices
Operation LED light White, adjustable brightness
7 needles per inch / 3.6 mm distance between needles
Needles individually controlled. Knit, tuck, transfer and split
functions. Tuck function is limited: the machine can’t combine
tuck and knit operations within the same pass on the same bed
Single system with transfer cams on both sides
Motor-driven. Max 4-pitch racking to each side
16 levels, electronically controlled on each row
800mm/sec. Adjustable speed levels
Variable stroke. Max 914.4mm / 36 inches
252 per needle bed (504 in total)
Back to front during right to left traverse, front to back during
left to right traverse
Electronically adjustable rotation in both directions on each row
8 top and 6 side tensioners with adjustable feeding tension
Open door, broken yarn, knot or lump detection, shock and
roller error
Belt drive, no lubrication necessary
Full safety cover + interlock for noise-suppression and
dust-proofing.
Emergency power-o device. Ultra-low speed setting

6 7
152 cm / 60 inch
700 cm
27,5 inch
max 130 cm
min 123 cm
max 51 inch
min 49 inch
65 cm / 26 inch
Fig 1

8 9
Preface
Specifications
Table of contents
5 - SETTING UP
What’s inside?
Tools and equipment needed to open the crate
Unpacking your machine
Taking o the side panels
Placing the side panels back
Transportation
Installation
Environment conditions
Safety talk
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Kniterate safety instructions
6 - GETTING STARTED
Parts overview
The machine
Top yarn control unit
Lateral yarn contol unit
Feeders
Cross section needle bed
Needles
Jacks
Carriage
Placing cones
Threading
Threading first yarn path
Top yarn control unit
Guides top left
YCU lateral
Feeders
Clamp & cut
Plating
TABLE OF CONTENTS4
2
3
4
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.9.1
5.9.2
6.1
6.1.1
6.1.2
6.1.3
6.1.4
6.1.5
6.1.6
6.1.7
6.1.8
6.2
6.3
6.3.1
6.3.2
3
4
8
12
12
12
13
13
14
16
17
17
17
19
20
20
22
23
24
24
25
25
26
27
27
28
28
29
29
30
30
31
6.3.3
6.3.4
6.4
6.4.1
6.4.2
6.4.3
6.5
6.6
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.4.1
8.4.2
8.4.3
8.4.4
8.4.5
8.5
8.6
8.6.1
8.6.2
8.6.3
8.6.4
8.6.5
8.6.6
8.6.7
The dierent yarn paths
Choosing a pathway
Tensioning
Brake discs
Top tension arm
Lateral tension arm
Knot sensor
Checklist
7 - YARNS & CONES
Yarn
Yarn counts
Yarn counts suitable for Kniterate
Cones
8  KNITTING
Warming up
Machine limitations
Using the menu dial
Knitting step-by-step
Transfering a design to an SD card
Starting a knit
Pausing a program
Dropping an unfinished knit
Taking o a finished knit
Keeping an eye
Sensors and errors
Tension arm on top yarn control unit
Knot sensor on top yarn control unit
Tension arm on lateral yarn control unit
Front and back doors & side panels
Clump sensor
Shock sensor
Rollers
32
35
36
36
36
36
37
37
38
39
39
40
42
42
43
44
44
44
45
45
45
45
46
47
47
48
48
48
49
49

10 11
9.1
9.2
9.3
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.3.1
10.3.2
10.3.3
10.4
10.4.1
10.4.2
10.5
10.5.1
10.5.2
10.6
10.6.1
10.6.2
9  FINISHING A PRODUCT
Cutting and hiding yarn ends
Steaming
Assembling techniques
10 - MAINTENANCE
Cleaning and oiling guidelines
Cleaning the exterior
Cleaning and oiling the interior
The needle bed
The carrier and carriage rails
The carriage cams
Emptying the oil reservoir
Reaching the reservoir
Disposing of oil
Changing moving parts
Changing needles
Changing jacks
The carriage
Taking o the carriage
Placing the carriage back
11 TROUBLESHOOTING
Machine is not turning on
SD card can’t be read
Yarn is breaking
Yarn is tangling
Machine is dropping stitches
Holes
Needle is not knitting
Yarn is piling up on the needle bed
Knit rolling up in rollers
Contact details
50
50
51
52
52
53
53
53
53
53
54
54
54
54
55
55
55
56
58
58
58
59
59
59
60
60
60
61

12 13
5.1
5.2
5.3
SETTING UP5 5.4
5.5
Silver thumb screw
Fig 2
Taking o the side panels
To take o the side panels, unscrew the silver screw at the top of the panel,
which you can do by hand.
Once the screw is o, tilt slightly the panel towards you and pull it upwards,
to remove it from the two hooks at the bottom of the panel.
For the left panel, on which the side yarn control unit is located, disconnect
the sensor before pulling the panel upwards.
Placing the side panels back
Hold the panel slightly tilted and place its bottom slots into the hooks below
the handles of the machine.
Once the panel is inserted in the hooks, hinge it forward to close it.
Mount the panel into the piece where the thumb screw can secure the
panel.
Lock the panel by tightening the thumb screw by hand.
WARNING:
FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. FAILING TO FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS COULD GENERATE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE MACHINE
AND THE OPERATORS INVOLVED IN ITS TRANSPORTATION.
IN CASE OF DOUBT CONTACT US
What’s inside?
1x Kniterate digital knitting machine 1x tensioners frame
1x box including:
8x yarn cone holders 2x spare brush
1 x power cable 4x spare fuse (2x 2A + 2x 10A)
1x SD card (16 GB) 1x needle bar tool
1x spare 50 needles 6x 10 spare jacks each position
2x 300ml knitting machine oil 1x oil dispenser bottle
1x allen key size 3 1x allen key size 5
2x spare silver thumb screw 2x wrench (size 20)
Tools and equipment needed to open the crate
1x Wrench size 19 1x Hammer
Unpacking your machine
- Use the back of a claw hammer to remove the top of the crate
- Remove the 4 side panels of the crate
- Remove the box with extra parts
- Take out the tensioners frame
- Remove the plastic cover on the machine
- Take o both side panels to expose the handles (see 5.4)
- Optional: Remove the carriage to lighten the load (see 10.6.1)
- Unscrew the 4 M12 screws underneath the pallet using a size 19 wrench.

14 15
5.6 Transportation
Transportation weight including packaging: 305 kg / 672 pounds.
Transportation weight excluding packaging: 210 kg / 463 pounds.
Kniterate strongly recommends to use a professional service to lift, carry
and place the machine, such as piano movers, furniture movers, etc.
Do not try to carry or lift the machine on your own.
Kniterate recommends to carry or lift with a minimum of 4 people.
Kniterate recommends the use of gloves, goggles and and safety boots
during transportation.
Rehearse the operation of lifting and carrying the machine to make
sure the way is clear and no unexpected events can be presented.
Assess your capabilities before attempting to move the machine.
Failing to do so could generate serious irreversible injury to the movers
and damage the machine.
Always lift the machine from both sides simultaneously using the handles.
Never tilt the machine by lifting one side from the surface only.
Putting the weight of the machine on one side only could irreversibly
damage internal components of the machine.
The machine can only be tilted when it is lifted from both sides.
Note: The weight of the machine is distributed more in the back than in the
front. It is advised that the persons carrying the back use two handles each,
while the persons carrying the front use one handle.
Optional: Remove the carriage to decrease the weight of the machine by
25 kg / 55 pounds.
Fig 3

16 17
5.7 5.8
5.9
5.9.1
1
Environmental conditions
Please install the machine as below instructions, in order to use and keep
this machine in good working condition.
1. Do not install the machine at a place subject to direct sunshine and/or
adjacent to a heat generation source such as a furnace/oven.
2. Do not install the machine at a place subject to rapid temperature
changes. The temperature should be 10°C ~ 35°C / 50°F ~ 95°F.
3. Do not install the machine at a place where there is a lot of dust and dirt,
or a location aected by chemical gases, sea breeze, etc.
4. Do not install the machine at a place subject to excessive moisture. The
humidity should be 30 ~ 80%.
5. Do not install the machine on a slope or an unstable surface.
6. Please make sure the outlet where the machine is connected to
is grounded.
Kniterate does not accept any responsibility
when these requirements are not met.
Safety talk
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Please read these safety instructions before attempting to use the machine.
To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock, or injury to persons:
• Never operate this machine if the cord or plug is damaged, if it
is not working properly, if it has been dropped or damaged, or
water is spilled on the unit.
• Do not use Kniterate or its components in any manner or for any other
purpose other than as specifically instructed in this user instructions manual.
• Do not modify Kniterate or its components.
• Do not use outdoors.
Installation
Customers are responsible for making sure that the table the machine is
placed on, is structurally sound. We recommend placing your Kniterate
on an industrial workbench or table that can carry at least 400 kg / 880 lbs
and leaves 10 cm / 4 inches around the machine (fig 3). The table should
not be able to sway. It is recommended to reinforce the table to reduce
sway as much as possible.
If the machine is on a table with a good grip, it won’t move around while in
operation. It is recommended to use the holes next to the legs to attach the
machine to the table when the table has a slippery surface, or if you leave in
an earthquake zone for example.
Allow at least 40 cm / 16 inches between the machine and objects or walls
on all sides, to facilitate pulling out the carriage. Allow enough space for you
or any users to comfortably reach the full needle beds in front and back of
the machine.
Place the machine on a even, level suface. If necessary, level the machine
using the leveling feet.
Power requirements:
Single phase 110V - 220V 10A
The excess / shortage of line voltage may have an adverse influence upon
the performance of the machine.

18 19
2
3
4
5
6
5.9.2
This machine is not a toy:
• Kniterate can cause serious injury and should be accessible only to
those that have read this user instructions manual and are capable of
understanding the risks associated with this tool.
• Ensure the Kniterate location will never result in an untrained individual
using the machine.
• Your close attention is necessary when the machine is used near
children. Never leave children, (pet) animals or uninducted individuals
unsupervised in the same space as your machine.
• If Kniterate is intended to be used by multiple people, put an orientation
and training program in place at the facility to ensure correct usage.
• Do not setup, operate, or perform maintenance on the machine under the
influence of illicit drugs, alcohol, or over-the-counter and prescription drugs
that can impair one’s ability to operate heavy machinery safely.
Always keep your work area clear:
• Never operate the machine when the ventilation is blocked. Keep
ventilation openings of the machine free from the build up of lint,
dust, and loose cloth.
• Never drop or insert any object or liquids into any opening.
Special care is required when knitting:
• Always pay close attention to the needles. Do not use bent or
damaged needles.
• Keep fingers away from all moving parts. Special care is required
around the needles and rollers area.
• Turn the machine o when manually operating in the needles area.
• Don’t wear dangling jewelry, rings or loose clothes, don’t use headphones.
• Wear closed shoes and tie back long hair when operating the machine.
For a longer service life:
• Use only neutral soaps or detergents to clean the case. Benzene,
thinner, and scouring powders can damage the case and machine,
and should never be used.
• Always consult the operation manual when replacing or installing
any assemblies, yarn carriers, needles, or other parts to assure
correct installation.
For repair or adjustment:
• In the event a malfunction occurs or adjustment is required,
first follow the troubleshooting table in the back of the user instructions
manual to inspect and adjust the machine yourself. If the problem
persists, please contact Kniterate.
Use this machine only for its intended use as described in the manual.
Use accessories recommended by the manufacturer.
The contents of this manual and specifications of this product are subject to
change without notice. For additional product information and updates, visit
www.kniterate.com
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Kniterate safety instructions
Don’t use the machine if you identify any damaged part that could
compromise the performance of the machine and/or the safety of the
user. In such case, please keep the machine disconnected from power and
contact Kniterate to receive instructions on how to safely proceed.
Always use safety goggles near the lateral yarn control unit (see p23).
The loaded spring can impact your eyes if released when manipulating the
spring or when a yarn is broken.
Keep your fingers away from the rollers all the times when the machine is
on. The rollers are really strong and can’t be manually turned or stopped.
Keep the machine attended at all times when running.
Extra care and caution required when handling needles, jacks or other parts
that can be sharp.

20 21
Parts overview
The machine
8
13
14
9
11
12 12
10 10
1
2
6
3
4
5
7
15
15
On/O switch
Emergency stop button
LCD display menu
Menu dial
1
2
3
4
Yarn feeders
Carrier rails
Carriage
Needle bed
5
6
7
8
Bobbin board
Top yarn control unit
Lateral yarn control unit
Side panels
9
10
11
12
Fabric takedown (inside)
Fabric collection slot
Cover doors
Excess oil reservoir
13
14
15
16
6.1
6.1.1
6 GETTING STARTED
Fig 4

22 23
Top yarn control unit
Tension adjusting wheel
Tension arm
Knot sensor adjusting wheel
Knot sensor
Brake discs adjusting wheel
Brake discs
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Guide I
Guide II
Guide III
Guide IV
Sensor error light
Fig 6
2
10
9
6
5
Fig 5
1
3
4
2
10
911
7
8
Lateral yarn control unit6.1.3
Fig 7
1
4
5
2
7
6
3
8
9
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Tension arm
Tension adjusting slide
Tension arm parking space
Sensor bar
Sensor error light
Guide V
Guide VI
Guide VII
Extra guide for yarn carriers 3 and 4
Fig 8
6.1.2

24 25
6.1.4
6.1.5
Feeders
Cross section needle bed
Fig 10Fig 9
2
1
3
5
6
7
5
4 4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
Needle
Needle bar
Jack
Cover rail
Carrier rail
Carrier bow
Guide VIII
Knitting hole
Fig 11
3 4 1 2
5
6
7
Plating slit
Yarn clamp
Knife
6.1.6
6.1.7
Needles
Jacks
1
2
3
4
1 - 6
7
8
Butt
Hook
Latch
Transfer spring
Counting butt
Butt
Securing butt
Fig 12
1 4 3 2
Fig 13
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
7

26 27
Carriage
6.1.8
Fig 12
Placing cones
Kniterate can only knit with yarn from cones. Cakes (as used for a domestic
knitting machine) do not work. We recommend using cones that are tapered
in shape, as cylindrical cones unwind less smoothly.
Cones should always be placed on the bobbin board, or, if the cones are
too big to fit together on the board, directly behind the machine on the table
or on the floor.
Place cones always straight underneath the first guide you use, so yarn
can unwind upwards easily. Make sure to leave substantial space between
cones so yarn can unwind without tangling.
When placing the cone on the coneholder you should feel a bit of friction,
but the bottom should still stand on the surface. To adjust the size of the
holder, turn the nut clockwise to make it wider or anti-clockwise to make
it narrower.
Threading
There are dierent pathways for each yarn. In 6.3.1 the first path is
explained and in 6.3.2 the other suggested pathways are shown. It is
important that yarns never cross or touch each other in their paths.
Do not use any other paths than the designated path for any yarn position.
6.2
6.3
Fig 15
1
2
3
4
Higher cam set
Knitting cam
Transferring cam
Stitch size cam
5
6
7
Lower cam set
Selection cams
Selection blades
1
57
6
4
2
3
Fig 14

28 29
6.3.1
Fig 16
Fig 18
Fig 17
The guides on the top left of
the machine, the tension arms
of the lateral control unit and
the feeders are all named 1 (in
front) to 6 (in the back), as are
the dierent yarn paths.
Figure 15
- place the cone and cone
holder on the left of the bobbin
board, lining up vertically with
the first top yarn control unit.
Figure 16+17
- Take the yarn up and through
guide II. Guide I is only used
additionally for cones on
the back row, or behind the
machine.
- Push the yarn up between the
brake discs until it is caught by
the hook in between. The yarn
should not be able to fall out
anymore.
- Guide the yarn in between the
metal plate and the latch, then
through guide III.
- From there, take it through the
eyelet on the tension arm and
back down through guide IV.
Threading the first yarn position using one end of yarn.
III
III
III
IV
IV
Fig 20
Fig 19
Figure 19
- After running the yarn through
tension arm 1, take the yarn into
the machine via guide VII.
- Note: use the extra guide (EG)
when you’re threading the third
or fourth yarn position
Figure 18
- Go to the top left of the
machine, where there is a row
of guides V.
- Guide the yarn down through
guide V (1) and VI (1) and then
out towards the lateral yarn
control unit. Do not use guide VII
for this; VII is only used to bring
yarn back into the machine
VI
VII
V
EG

30 31
Figure 20+21
- Use the guide VIII (1) that
is attached to the left side of
feeder 1, and thread the yarn
through the knitting gap at the
tip of the feeder. Be careful not
to use the plating slit (see 6.3.2).
- Clamp the yarn in the left side
of the clamp.
- Use the knife to cut the end of
the yarn
Fig 21
VIII VIII
Fig 22
VIII
Plating
Plating creates a 2-color
pattern in a structure without
creating a jacquard.
Plating is knitting with two yarns
together in one feeder. Use two
yarns of a finer yarn count, that
together are between Nm6 and
Nm8 (see 7.2 and 7.3).
The second yarn goes through
the plating slit, making sure one
yarn shows in the front of the
knitting while the other shows
in the back. The yarns will show
through a bit on the other side,
creating a mixed colour eect.
A plated rib will show vertical
columns of both colors, and you
can create interesting fabrics
when you play around with it
a bit.
Thread both yarns in the
same pathway, with one yarn
threaded through the knitting
hole and the other through the
plating slit. It is recommended
to use one top yarn control
for each yarn and bring them
together in guide V.
6.3.2
Fig 23
Fig 24
Front
Front
Back
Back

32 33
Dierent pathways
Each of the six yarn positions has their own path (1 to 6) to prevent the yarn
from tangling and breaking.
Thread each yarn as described in 6.3.1, while changing only the location of
the path. This means that for example the second yarn follows the orange
course (Fig 25 to 28). The third and fourth path use an extra guide (EG)
each between guide VII and VIII.
Note: Your machine will have more top yarn control units to allow for more
variation in the use of yarns. These illustrations merely show the order in
which the machine should be threaded.
Fig 25
6.3.3
1 2 3 4 5 6
Fig 26
5
4
3
2
1
6

34 35
Fig 27
6.3.4 Choosing a pathway
The program that you use to knit, will have assigned certain yarns to certain
feeders. When you thread up your machine you should adhere to these, not
following the assigned pathways will create a dierent outcome than you
might expect. Of course, if you’re feeling adventurous or you want to swap
colours without programming it, you can swap pathways.
In figure 29a, the green design is assigned to feeder 3, and the pink
background is assigned to feeder 4. To get the right result, thread the green
yarn in feeder 3 and the white yarn in feeder 4 (Fig 29c). If you switch them
around you will end up with reversed colour (Fig 29b).
Fig 28
Fig 29bFig 29a Fig 29c
54321
6

36 37
6.4
6.4.1
6.4.2
6.4.3
Tensioning
To be able to create an evenly knitted fabric without holes, there should
be some constant tension on the yarns. How much tension is required
depends on the type of yarn, weight of yarn and type of knit. There are
some rules of thumb, which will be explained below, but these guidelines
always need some finetuning.
Brake discs
The brake discs make sure the yarn is unwound at a steady pace. Thin yarn
needs higher pressure between the discs, as does slippery yarn. Coarser
yarn needs less pressure.
Increase or decrease the pressure by turning the adjusting wheel.
Top tension arm
Yarn needs to be under a constant tension to be knitted properly. The top
tension arm works together with the lateral tension arm. When the tension
lowers, the arm pulls up to balance the tension on the yarn.
When the tension in the yarn drops too much, the arm jumps up, the sensor
is triggered and the sensor light lights up. It normally refers to a broken yarn,
having run out of yarn or incorrect machine settings for the used yarn.
With thinner yarn, the arm needs to pull up less high. To let the arm pull less
high, turn the tension adjusting wheel clockwise. For thicker yarn, the pull
can be increased by turning the tension adjusting wheel counterclockwise.
Lateral tension arm
Yarn needs to be under a constant tension to be knitted properly. When
the carriage knits from right to left, the knitting yarn would sag, with the
risk of being caught in the needles or by the carriage. When the yarn starts
sagging, the lateral tension arm moves out and balances the tension on the
yarn so it remains in a straight line across the needle bed.
Use the sliders to change the resistance of each lateral tension arm. Move
them down to increase, and up to decrease the pull.
6.5
6.6
Knot sensor
The knot sensor detects knots as the yarn passes through it. The gap where
the yarn runs through should be just slightly wider than the yarn, so that the
yarn can pass through without friction, but any knots will trigger the sensor.
As such, a thinner yarn needs a smaller gap, and a coarser yarn needs a
bigger gap.
To adjust the sensitivity of the sensor turn the knot sensor wheel clockwise
(narrower) and anti-clockwise (wider).
Checklist
Before you start knitting, always check this list to prevent any mistakes:
Software:
Selected correct feeders for waste yarn, drawthread and knitting yarn
Speed, stitch length and roller take-down adjusted to yarn and pattern
Machine:
All needles are in good condition
All parts are properly lubricated (according to section X from this manual)
All yarns are threaded in the correct paths
All yarn positions match with the programmed feeders
No yarns are crossing
Enough yarn on the cones to knit your program
All yarns are clamped
All used feeders are positioned between the clamp and the needle bed
The feeders that aren’t used are placed at either end of the rails
No machine errors; no error lights
SD card with ‘command.kc’ file inserted

38 39
7.2
7.3
7.1
YARNS AND CONES7
Which yarn you use plays a deciding role when you’re knitting. This is a short
introduction to get you going, but it is advised to do some research and
simply try until you find what you need.
Yarn
There are dierent categories of yarn, such as animal based - like wool,
plant based - like cotton, and oil based synthetics - like polyester. There are
also plant based yarns that are chemically processed - like viscose. You can
use all sorts of yarn on the machine if it has the right yarn count (see 9.3)
but it’s always recommended to knit a test piece to fine tune the machine
settings. Not every yarn works perfectly with every pattern or stitch and
sometimes it needs a bit more testing to get the results you want.
Every yarn has dierent properties and requires dierent tension settings on
the machine. Even between two yarns of the same fiber with the same yarn
count, the tension settings can be very dierent.
Woolen yarns have a natural stretch and move easily through the machine
without breaking. However cotton and linen for example have no stretch at
all. These yarns need a bit more attention and caution when used. Patterns
that require racking may be more dicult to achieve, especially with linen.
Fluy yarns such as mohair can easily catch other yarns that are close and
get tangled with them. To prevent this from happening you can place the
cone in a loose plastic bag, containing the swing radius of the yarn when
unwinding. When using multiple fluy yarns, it is advised to thread them in
pathways that are not adjacent but further apart.
Viscose and other silky yarns can be quite slippery. They are often sold with
a thin, tight nylon tube around them to prevent the yarn from slipping down.
Once it’s o the cone there is no way to get it back on. Leave the tube on the
cone then knitting, which also helps to unwind the yarn slower.
It is advised to not use fancy yarns like flame or sequin yarn, as the
irregularities like lumps could get stuck in the needles or yarn feeders.
Remember: Finer yarns need more resistance than thicker yarn (see 6.4.1).
Yarn counts
There are many yarn count systems in the world, so here are a few that are
used for coned yarn with industrial standards.
The yarn count ‘Nm’ is used the most for industrial yarn in Europe and Asia.
This metric numbering system (Nm) indicates ‘number of 1000m (or 1 km) of
yarn per 1kg weight’, i.e. Nm30 means that 30.000 of yarn weigh 1 kilogram.
Nm60/2 would be the same weight of yarn, but consists of two ends of
Nm60.
Tex indicates ‘how many grams of yarn per 1000m’, i.e. 30Tex means that 30
grams of yarn are 1000m long. Decitex (dTex) indicates how many grams of
yarn per 10000m.
Denier (DEN) is often used for nylon stockings and tights. It indicates ‘how
many grams of yarn per 9000m’, i.e. 30D means that 30 grams of yarn are
9000m long.
For Nm, dtex and DEN applies: ‘The higher the number, the finer the yarn’.
As the machine works best with industrial spun yarn on cones, you can
compare this industrial used yarn count to a light fingering or 2 ply hand
knitting yarn (needle size around 2mm).
Note: Hand knitting yarns are almost always not suited for Kniterate.
Yarn counts suitable for Kniterate
Any yarn used on Kniterate is recommended to be at least double spun,
which means the yarn consists of two separately spun yarns that are spun
together. This technique makes the yarn much stronger than single spun
yarn.