Mastering the Silver Reed SK840

Free Pass

Slip Stitch · Lesson 1 of 5

You just ripped out a row of knitting or you put some knitting back on the bed from the garter bar or you did a bit of shaping and now your carriage is on the opposite side of the working yarn.

Free pass is a method of moving the carriage across the knitting without knitting or dropping stitches.
Positioning the carriage is an essential skill for machine knitters.

*Free Pass: Pass the carriage with no yarn without dropping stitches*

Here are 4 ways to "free pass" to get the carriage to the same side as the working yarn without knitting or dropping stitches.

1Remove the carriage

Sure, you could take the carriage off the machine, run to the other end and replace the carriage ... but that's a "rookie move". Take control of your machine and use the carriage settings.

2Use the hold setting

2 steps:

Put all needles in hold position
Set the carriage to hold (engage the Russel Levers )

When you pass the carriage, the needles will not move and stitches will not drop or knit.

3"Pop" the carriage (Silver Reed/ Singer/Studio machines)

Pop the carriage (silver machines). Use the Carriage Release and raise the top section of the carriage.
The carriage will pass across without knitting or dropping stitches.

*Use the Carriage Release and "pop" the carriage*

4Hold the Side lever

With all needles in "B" Position, hold the side lever and pass the carriage in that direction (continue to hold the lever across the row) No needles will knit or drop.

Don't forget to reset your row counter after a free pass.