Before knitting your actual design on the Kniterate, you need to prepare the beginning of your fabric. This is done using a sequence that combines waste yarn, draw thread and cast-on.
The Waste + Cast-on command automatically generates this sequence, preparing the fabric for knitting and ensuring that the machine has the necessary pull-down tension to knit successfully.
This article explains why these elements are needed, how they work together and what to keep in mind when preparing your knit.
What is a cast-on?
The cast-on is the first step in creating a knitted piece. It establishes the initial stitches on the needles and creates a finished edge that prevents the fabric from unravelling.
It usually consists of three rows: a full-needle zig-zag row and a tubular sequence (one row of plain rear stitches and one row of plain front stitches).
It's usually knitted from the same yarn as the body, though that’s a design choice. This is especially relevant when the design uses multiple yarns.
However, before the Kniterate can cast on, it needs to prepare the fabric so that the machine can knit reliably. This is where waste yarn and draw thread come in.
Why does the Kniterate need waste yarn?
The Kniterate relies on its rollers to provide the pull-down tension needed to form stitches consistently. For the rollers to work, they need enough fabric to grip securely.
The machine therefore knits several rows of waste yarn before starting the actual piece. This creates enough fabric to reach the rollers, allowing them to grip and pull the fabric down throughout the knitting process.
Waste yarn is temporary and will be removed once the knitting is complete.
The three components of the starting sequence
The starting sequence consists of three main elements:
1. Waste yarn
Waste yarn is knitted first to create enough fabric for the rollers to grip and establish the necessary pull-down tension.
It is temporary and does not form part of the finished piece. You can use a different, preferably inexpensive yarn, as it will be removed after knitting.
The waste yarn section is knitted in an interlock structure, which helps create a stable fabric that goes down straight until it reaches the rollers.
A few recommendations:
- Use a yarn that knits reliably on the machine.
- Choose a contrasting colour if you want to make it easier to distinguish from your main fabric.
- Allow enough rows for the fabric to reach the rollers. The default sequence uses 80 interlock rows, which is a good starting point.
2. Draw thread
The draw thread is knitted between the waste yarn and the cast-on. Its purpose is to make it easier to separate the waste yarn from the finished piece.
Once knitting is complete, you can pull out the draw thread to release the waste yarn without disturbing the actual fabric.
A few recommendations:
- Use a thin, smooth and strong yarn that can be pulled out easily.
- Polyester is a good option.
- Avoid yarns that are too rough, hairy or prone to catching in the stitches.
3. Cast-on
After the waste yarn and draw thread, the machine knits the cast-on. This establishes the initial stitches of your actual piece and creates a secure edge that prevents the fabric from unravelling.
The standard cast-on sequence includes a zigzag row followed by two tubular rows. This creates a stable starting edge before the machine begins knitting the main design.
Different cast-on arrangements are available depending on the needle configuration and fabric structure you want to knit.
How does the sequence work?
The three elements work together to prepare the machine and the fabric before the main design begins:
- The machine knits the waste yarn, creating enough fabric for the rollers to grip.
- The yarn carriers needed for the main design are introduced during the waste yarn section, so they are ready when required.
- The draw thread is introduced to separate the temporary waste yarn from the finished piece.
- The cast-on establishes the first stitches and creates a secure edge.
- The machine proceeds to knit the actual design.
Depending on the fabric structure, additional transfers may be included after the cast-on to prepare the stitches for knitting on one or both needle beds.
Using the Waste + Cast-on command
In Customist Studio, you don't need to create this sequence manually. The Waste + Cast-on command automatically generates the necessary rows and structures.
To add it, select the first row of your design and apply the command. The block will automatically appear on your canvas, extending below the selected row.
The command offers several options to adapt the starting sequence to your yarns and fabric structure, including the choice of yarn carriers, cast-on arrangement and knitting settings.
For a detailed explanation of the available parameters, refer to the Customist Studio manual.
Removing the waste yarn
Once your knitting is complete, locate the draw thread separating the waste yarn from your actual piece.
Carefully pull out the draw thread to release the waste yarn. You can then remove the temporary fabric, leaving the cast-on edge of your finished piece intact.
The result is a clean, secure beginning to your knitted fabric.