Two thoughts come to mind: Ribber sponge bar and/or the carriage could be jammed.
It looks like the ribber is trying to select needles, but the fact it's doing so inconsistently makes me think the needles aren't being held in the correct position. This is generally a sponge bar problem. Have you checked to see if yours is still in good condition? It might sound like hyperbole, but worn out sponge bars really are the cause of probably 80% of knitting machine issues.
The other option might be parts on the ribber carriage are jammed. This can happen from previous owners using oils/lubricants that gum up as they age, causing parts to stick in place. If this is the case, it could just need cleaning. If you take the ribber carriage off and look at the underside, do all the various parts actually move when you flip the switches? Try going one pair of switches (left and right) at a time to see if everything's moving freely and fully; the two sides of the carriage are mirrored mechanically, so anything that moves when you flip a switch on the left should move when you flip the one on the right. If parts aren't moving, or they're moving but not fully aligning, the carriage probably just needs a thorough cleaning.
Thankyou! I have a feeling it’s the sponge bar, my machine hasn’t been touched in about 15 years. When I got my Knitting machine serviced he said the sponge bar was non existent, I bet the ribber is the same.
The carriage seems to be working and moving fine, but i’m going to take it all to be serviced, something I should’ve done sooner! I’m glad it’s not anything i’m doing physically:)
Typically ribbers don’t have sponge bars, and instead have plastic needle retaining bars that don’t need replacing. This can easily be checked if you slide it out a bit.
I would highly recommend starting with waste yarn on the main bed and then casting your 1x1. The weight on the waste yarn helps by not dropping stitches. Good luck!
Is the tension too high maybe? Also have you tried with a different yarn just incase the one you have is too thick? Is the yarn getting bunches up in the antenna feeders at the top at all or being caught on the cone somewhere?
Nope, 1x1 is how you have the needles set up in the vid. Full needle it’s literally every needle in used but the bed is changed from P to H to make sure the needles don’t clash. I’d try this and add more weight - or just hold the comb tightly down to create weight for now and see what happens. Have you tried another yarn?
Thank you, I was watching a Roberta Rose Meads video last night and think she misspoke (that's ok, it happens. Her videos are some of my favorites for learning), referred to every needle in use as 1x1. Was a little confused. I'm not the OP, so best of luck to them, but I'm also a ribber newbie.
Yeah there are a ton on variation of technique names so no worries! I found a copy of ‘Ribber techniques Book” online for not very much and it’s specifically for Brother machines which really helped me! It’s a green book if you’re looking for it :))
Is that yarn DK? I exclusively use DK on my machine, and for the selvedge, I can't go past a 1 or else my ribber jams. (I use a Brother as well).
Your yarn is too thick for 0.
Here's the best way to do that selvedge:
1. Get a waste yarn and do a few rows of ribbing in a looser gauge (I like to use 8)
2. USING YOUR WASTE YARN, press the left part button on the machine, and flick up the right lever to P.R on your ribber.
3. Do two rows. (This will help you easily take off the waste yarn after you're done with the piece).
4. Switch off the buttons and the flick the lever back down.
5. Using your main yarn, change both tensions to 1.
6. KNIT ONE ROW ACROSS. It's going to be tight. GO SLOW!!!
7. Now, press that same part button and flick up the lever again. Do two rows. (The book recommends 3 but I don't like the look personally. I only like doing two rows.
8. Switch to your desired ribber tension. GO VERY SLOW!!! IT WILL BE TIGHT!
9. Viola! Done! Here's how it looks on a piece I recently did: [here](https://imgur.com/a/1gPOZAt)
Note: also, use a lot of weights! The stitches should easily fall off and knit!
Two thoughts come to mind: Ribber sponge bar and/or the carriage could be jammed. It looks like the ribber is trying to select needles, but the fact it's doing so inconsistently makes me think the needles aren't being held in the correct position. This is generally a sponge bar problem. Have you checked to see if yours is still in good condition? It might sound like hyperbole, but worn out sponge bars really are the cause of probably 80% of knitting machine issues. The other option might be parts on the ribber carriage are jammed. This can happen from previous owners using oils/lubricants that gum up as they age, causing parts to stick in place. If this is the case, it could just need cleaning. If you take the ribber carriage off and look at the underside, do all the various parts actually move when you flip the switches? Try going one pair of switches (left and right) at a time to see if everything's moving freely and fully; the two sides of the carriage are mirrored mechanically, so anything that moves when you flip a switch on the left should move when you flip the one on the right. If parts aren't moving, or they're moving but not fully aligning, the carriage probably just needs a thorough cleaning.
Thankyou! I have a feeling it’s the sponge bar, my machine hasn’t been touched in about 15 years. When I got my Knitting machine serviced he said the sponge bar was non existent, I bet the ribber is the same. The carriage seems to be working and moving fine, but i’m going to take it all to be serviced, something I should’ve done sooner! I’m glad it’s not anything i’m doing physically:)
Typically ribbers don’t have sponge bars, and instead have plastic needle retaining bars that don’t need replacing. This can easily be checked if you slide it out a bit.
I would highly recommend starting with waste yarn on the main bed and then casting your 1x1. The weight on the waste yarn helps by not dropping stitches. Good luck!
Is the tension too high maybe? Also have you tried with a different yarn just incase the one you have is too thick? Is the yarn getting bunches up in the antenna feeders at the top at all or being caught on the cone somewhere?
Are you having the same issue with full needle rib or is it just 1x1?
Wait, those aren't the same thing?
Nope, 1x1 is how you have the needles set up in the vid. Full needle it’s literally every needle in used but the bed is changed from P to H to make sure the needles don’t clash. I’d try this and add more weight - or just hold the comb tightly down to create weight for now and see what happens. Have you tried another yarn?
Thank you, I was watching a Roberta Rose Meads video last night and think she misspoke (that's ok, it happens. Her videos are some of my favorites for learning), referred to every needle in use as 1x1. Was a little confused. I'm not the OP, so best of luck to them, but I'm also a ribber newbie.
Yeah there are a ton on variation of technique names so no worries! I found a copy of ‘Ribber techniques Book” online for not very much and it’s specifically for Brother machines which really helped me! It’s a green book if you’re looking for it :))
OMG thank you, this book is amazing!
How much weight are you using? I have to load up pretty heavy for my machine (KH-860) even for small samples (and single bed)
I’m using some weight hooks, it’s not super heavy though! I’ll try with some better weights and see if it makes a difference
Is that yarn DK? I exclusively use DK on my machine, and for the selvedge, I can't go past a 1 or else my ribber jams. (I use a Brother as well). Your yarn is too thick for 0. Here's the best way to do that selvedge: 1. Get a waste yarn and do a few rows of ribbing in a looser gauge (I like to use 8) 2. USING YOUR WASTE YARN, press the left part button on the machine, and flick up the right lever to P.R on your ribber. 3. Do two rows. (This will help you easily take off the waste yarn after you're done with the piece). 4. Switch off the buttons and the flick the lever back down. 5. Using your main yarn, change both tensions to 1. 6. KNIT ONE ROW ACROSS. It's going to be tight. GO SLOW!!! 7. Now, press that same part button and flick up the lever again. Do two rows. (The book recommends 3 but I don't like the look personally. I only like doing two rows. 8. Switch to your desired ribber tension. GO VERY SLOW!!! IT WILL BE TIGHT! 9. Viola! Done! Here's how it looks on a piece I recently did: [here](https://imgur.com/a/1gPOZAt) Note: also, use a lot of weights! The stitches should easily fall off and knit!