Handspun Machine Knit WPI Hat

I’ve been hoping to use my LK150 flatbed knitting machine more as I dream about knitting up more and more of my handspun yarn stash. The LK150 is a flat bed knitting machine that is the perfect size for working with hand knitting yarn — everything from sport weight, DK weight, or worsted weight, that is the perfect sweet spot for this particular knitting machine.

I’ve been knitting some of my handspun into the WPI (wraps per inch) Hat designed by Rachel Smith. I’m using the original pattern and kind of converting it into machine knitting instructions. The first thing that you need to start with is your wraps per inch measurement!

Then using my wraps per inch measurement for my handspun yarn, I check the chart for what size knitting needles to use and what category my yarn is (sport, dk, worsted, etc) and then knit a swatch on the knitting machine with settings that are suitable for the size of my handspun yarn.

Handspun yarn used in WPI hat

In this case, I’m using two skeins of handspun 3-ply yarn that I originally spun for the Nightshift Shawl. This yarn was meant to be approximately dk to worsted weight.

To knit the WPI hat on the flatbed knitting machine, I basically had to open up the pattern to knit it flat back and forth rather than in the round on knitting needles. I cast on with waste yarn and knit a few inches of stockinette, then added one row of ravel cord and used a double e-wrap cast on with my handspun yarn. I knit about 2 inches of stockinette then manually reformed the stitches to create a 2×2 ribbing. Then I knit the body of the hat in stockinette, switching between two balls of handspun yarn every 6 rows. Then it was easier to work the crown decreases on knitting needles, so I transferred the stitches onto a long circular needle and finished up the decreases. Finally, I cinched up the top and sewed the sides of the hat together.

Handspun WPI Hat, knit on LK150 flatbed knitting machine
Handspun WPI Hat, knit on LK150 flatbed knitting machine

The hat fits! It’s more of a slouchy fit for me, which I love. I might even be ok with skipping the pom-pom on this one. There will definitely be more handspun, machine knit hats in my future!

Handspun WPI Hat, knit on LK150 flatbed knitting machine
Print

Handspun WPI Hat, Machine Knit

Converting the WPI Hat to a machine knit version requires measuring the "wraps per inch" of your handspun yarn and then knitting a swatch with a variety of machine stitch settings to find the best gauge.
Keyword Handspun, Hat
Craft Spinning, Machine Knitting
Maker Felicia Lo
Designer Rachel Smith
Skill Level Beginner
Produces 1 Hat

Equipment

  • 1 Silver Reed LK150 Knitting Machine

Materials

Instructions

  • Measure your wraps per inch. In this case, my handspun yarn measured 13 WPI.
  • Knit a swatch on the knitting machine. I tested the stitch dial set at 3, 4, and 5. In the end, I preferred the stitch dial set at 4.
  • Following the directions in the WPI Hat pattern, cast on the required number of stitches plus 2 (for seaming).
  • Cast on using waste yarn and knit for a few rows. Hang your weights evenly across the entire width of your knitting.
  • Knit in one row of ravel cord.
  • Cast on with your handspun yarn using the double e-wrap cast on method. Push all needles out to position D and knit across.
  • Knit approximately 2 inches of stockinette. Reform stitches to produce 2×2 ribbing.
  • Knit body of hat in stockinette.
  • Crown Decreases: I took the knitting off the machine using waste yarn and then transferred to circular knitting needles. I worked the crown decreases by hand knitting, flat back and forth.
  • When I reached approximately 12 stitches remaining, I cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Run the yarn tail through the remaining stitches and cinch up the top. Seam down the side of the hat.
  • Weave in all yarn ends and wet block.
  • Wear your fabulous new machine knit, handspun hat!

Notes

The original pattern is a hand knitting pattern. I’ve converted it to knit it on my flatbed knitting machine. 

The post Handspun Machine Knit WPI Hat appeared first on SweetGeorgia Yarns.



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