When the machine is knitting, you have to pay attention to a couple of things. It is strongly recommended to stay with the machine and keep an eye on the performance of the machine, the sensors and the yarns when you’re trying a new program, new yarns or just starting up for the first time in a while.
Never assume it will give perfect results the first time you knit, it takes some tweaking and trying to get it right.
A few basic things to keep in mind:
- Make sure the machine picks up the right feeders
- Make sure the yarns are unwinding smoothly
- Make sure the yarns aren’t tangling
- Make sure the knit is coming out, i.e. not getting caught on the rollers
- Closely watch the stitch size; too small could break the yarn or the needles, too loose could cause dropping stitches
- Keep an eye on your yarns, don’t let them run out while knitting an item
If the machine makes a grinding sound, stop the machine immediately and check for debris on the needle bed, the carriage rails and the carrier rails.
The sensors
There are eight different sensor errors that can be displayed on the menu:
| Error code | Error location | Indication light |
| FRONT DOOR | Front doors both left and right | No |
| REAR DOOR | Rear doors both left and right | No |
| SIDE DOOR | Side panels on machine both left and right | No |
| SHOCK | Needle bed | No |
| CLUMP | Next to brushes on carriage | Yes |
| KNOT | Knot sensor on top yarn control unit | Yes |
| YARN TOP | Tension arm on top yarn control unit | Yes |
| YARN SIDE | Tension arm on lateral yarn control unit | Yes |
When more than one sensors are triggered, the menu will display ‘ERROR: CLEAR ALL’. It is recommended to check all sensors when this happens.
When a sensor is activated the carriage stops immediately and the machine pauses. If you need to open any of the doors, wait until the carriage has fully stopped to do so. After solving the issue as explained below, clear the error by clicking the menu dial. The machine can resume the program from where it ended.
Tension arm on top yarn control unit
The top tension arm sensor and the knot sensor are the easiest to detect as they use a bright red light on the front of the yarn control unit to indicate an error.
When the tension in the yarn drops too much, the arm jumps up, the sensor is triggered and the sensor light lights up. This normally refers to a broken yarn, having run out of yarn or incorrect machine settings for the used yarn.
Rethread the broken yarn and connect the broken ends in a small knot, cut the ends at 1 cm / 0,5 inch and resume knitting. Knit at a slower pace for 2 or 3 rows to prevent the yarn from breaking.
If there was no broken yarn but the tension arm went all the way up anyway, use the tension adjusting wheel to lower its resistance, or increase the pressure between the brake discs by turning the brake discs adjusting wheel clockwise. It is a balancing act to find the right tension and it can take several tries.
When the tension arm is not rising at all during the knitting process, increase the pull in the tension arm by turning the tension adjusting wheel counterclockwise, or release some pressure from the brake discs by turning the brake discs adjusting wheel counterclockwise.
Knot sensor on top yarn control unit
Each yarn control unit has a sensor to detect knots in the yarn. If the yarn running through the sensor has a knot, the knot will trigger the sensor by pushing the latch forward. This will be indicated by the same red light as an error with the top tension arm sensor.
Push the knot sensor latch back to clear the error and check the knot in the yarn. If it is a small knot that is tied up tightly, you can knit it with a lower speed for 2 to 3 rows to prevent the yarn from breaking. If the knot is bigger or tied loosely, cut the yarn and make a new, small and tight knot before knitting it in slowly.
Remember: Always make sure to adjust the sensitivity of the knot sensor according to the yarn you are using so it can detect knots properly!
Tension arm on lateral control unit
The lateral tension arm sensor is similar to the top tension arm sensor. The light of this sensor is on the back of the lateral yarn control unit.
When the tension on the yarn drops too much, the sensor is triggered and the sensor light lights up. This normally refers to a broken yarn or incorrect machine settings for the used yarn.
Rethread the broken yarn and connect the broken ends in a small knot. Cut the ends at 1 cm / 0,5 inch and knit 2 or 3 rows slowly to knit the knot in without the yarn breaking.
If there was no broken yarn but the tension arm went all the way out anyway, use the sliders underneath the arms to change the resistance.
Front and back doors & side panels
The doors in the front and in the back, as well as the side panels, need to be completely closed to run the machine. Check and close all four doors and the two side panels.
Clump sensor
The clump sensor is attached to the carriage and looks like a small metal arrow pointing straight down towards the needles. It is triggered by an uneven knitting area on the needles. There is one sensor for each knitting direction so that the error can be found early on. There is no light to indicate the error, but the carriage will stop and the menu will display ‘CLUMP’.
The sensor slightly tilts when it detects a clump in the knitting and usually jumps back to it's initial position. If it stays in this tilted position, you can push it back. Clear the clump in the knitting area. Clumps mostly occur when a needle is bent, stuck, or broken, and it can’t create stitches anymore.
Shock sensor
The shock sensor is hidden underneath the needle beds. It detects sudden vibrations, for example if the carriage hits a needle butt. There is no light that would indicate the error, but the carriage will stop and the menu will display ‘CLUMP’.
Remove any broken needle parts and debris from the needle bed or replace needles or jack if there’s any with broken butts. In case the sensor is triggered too easily or not enough, go to the menu to adjust the sensor’s sensitivity.
Rollers
The rollers and their sensor are underneath the needle bed and help the fabric to come out. An error will be detected if there is an abnormality on the rollers or within the fabric, or if any objects come in the roller area.
The sensor light is located right under the home position of the feeders, next to the yarn clamp. The green light indicates the sensor is working and the red lights indicate an error with the corresponding needle beds, i.e. the rear red light indicates for the rear needle bed and the front red light for front needle bed.
Mostly, an error occurs when the fabric comes out less straight, or the yarn from the start gets caught and pulls up the knit. Pause the machine and straighten the fabric, or if needed, turn off the machine and pull/cut the yarn(s) that pull the fabric up until the rollers are clean.
WARNING: Under no circumstances put your hand near or in the area of the roller when the machine is on.
WARNING: Do not use the machine if the green light does not light up when the machine is on.