How to Create Flawless Repeating Punchcard Designs for Machine Knitting

Achieving an aesthetically pleasing repeating pattern is one of the challenges of designing punchcard patterns for machine knitting. In this guide, we will examine several ways for creating seamless repeats.

The easiest way to create a repeat is by using software for the computer. There are several different computer programs available that can help.

Stitch Painter Software Is Useful For Machine Knitting:

Stitch Painter software by Cochenille Design Studio is my favorite program for using to design repeating stitch patterns for machine knitting. The software is intuitive and easy to use. You can easily configure a grid with the same amount of stitches that your punchard has, and configure the program to show you the repeat. The software is the most affordable I've found for use by hobby level machine knitters. I am aware of other knitting software, but most of the others I know of are intended for use by fashion industry professionals, and are prohibitively expensive.

Design Your Repeating Punchcard Pattern in Adobe Photoshop:

Adobe Photoshop can be used for designing repeats for machine knitting. There are many different approaches you can take, but here is one that I have used:

Create a grid with the same number of units that your punchcard has. For greater accuracy, remember to make each unit a rectangle instead of a square, since knit stitches are not square.

Complete your design.

Save your design.

Select the entire design.

Edit >Define Pattern.

Name your patttern if desired.

Open a new document that is large enough to show several repeats of your punchcard design.

Click the Paint Bucket tool.

You have a choice between "Foreground" and "Pattern". Choose "Pattern".

Choose the pattern you just created.

Click your newly created canvas so that the canvas is filled with the pattern.

Take a look at your repeat. You will probably have some problem areas.

Go back to your saved design and edit it.

Repeat as necessary until your repeat is flawless.

Punch your punchcard and knit with the yarns of your choice.

Design Your Punch Card Using Pencil, Paper and the Photocopier:

If you don't own software and can't justify buying it, you might just be stuck with designing your repeat using pencil, paper and a photocopy machine.

Knitter's graph paper will be helpful if you find yourself in this situation. Regular graph paper is not recommended, because regular graph paper has squares instead of rectangles. Knit stitches are rectangular, not square. If you create your design using regular graph paper, the actual knit design will usually turn out looking squished. This can be rectified using some careful mathematical calculations, but I don't really recommend doing it that way. It's easier to use knitter's graph paper.

Again, there are multiple approaches that you could use. This is only one possible way to do it.

Draw a pencil line around the area that you want to define as being one punchcard repeat. Cut it out.

Create your design.

Photocopy the design 6 times at 100%.

Cut around the photocopied designs so that no white space is showing.

Tape the designs together so that you can see how the design repeats.

If the repeat needs editing, I recommend starting this process over from the very beginning, rather than erasing your initial design. This way you will have a history of what you have done.

Edit and repeat as necessary until you are satisfied with the repeat.

Punch your punchard and knit with the yarns of your choice.

Using Color When Designing Punchcards For Machine Knitting:

Punchcard designs are typically 2-color designs. It's easiest to use black and white to create your designs. If you prefer to design in color, you can choose any 2 colors to use. When you actually knit your design, you can choose any 2 colors of yarn you want to; you are not limited to the colors used when you initially create the design.

Conclusion:

Designing a punchcard takes time, effort, and attention to detail. In the long run, it is worth the time and energy spent, since the punchcard can be reused indefinitely. There are multiple approaches that you can take to design your punchcard and perfect the repeat. Hopefully this guide has given you some insights for ways to approach it. Happy knitting!