When it comes to knitting, a failed experiment isn’t really that devastating. Especially when it’s done on a knitting machine.

A Failed Experiment In Linen Stitch Automation

Most circular sock knitting machines (including mine) have the ability to put needles “out of work”. Translated to hand-knitting, this just means it slips a stitch. I realized that my circular socking knitting machine also loads the yarn onto needles from the outside (on the right-side of the fabric). So, I figured I could do linen stitch!

I know it’s difficult for non-machine knitters to visualize this. But in the image below, the latch-hook needles raised up, are out-of-work and won’t create a knit stitch. And the needles that are lowered, will.

Look closely at where the pink arrow is pointing. It shows a stitch that was slipped in the prior round. The periwinkle strand is the strand of yarn that was created instead of a stitch. Since this needle is in the to-be-worked position, the next rotation of the carriage will execute a knit stitch on this needle.

What I didn’t realize is that when the machine works a stitch, the needle ducks underneath the slipped strand and moves it to the back of the work. It does NOT create linen stitch.

I’m not sure what stitch it creates but on an even number of stitches:

In-The Round:

• Round 1: K1, Sl1 to end of round
• Round 2: Sl1, K1 to end of round

Knit Flat:

• Row 1: K1, Sl1 to end of row
• Row 2: P1, Sl1 WYIF to end of row

Does anyone know what this stitch is called?

Current Knitting

My current scarf is definitively NOT a failure! I am truly loving the fabric and the color melding of the linen stitch.

About 16 more inches left to go.

By the way, if you’ve read my book recently, the sweater I’m wearing is the Arctic Sweater. Zoom in a little to see the pocket edging and the shoulder/sleeve seams I gave myself feedback about. Only one of the rubber buttons is slightly visible.