No-sew side seam for circular knitting on a flatbed knitting machine (Lk150)

Can you machine knit a tube or circular shape on a flatbed knitting machine such as an LK150 without a ribber? Here is a technique to seam up while you knit. The idea is inspired by this Susiefreckleface's video: Click here for her video.

The idea is to add a separate ball of yarn for the seaming stitches. You can place the yarn between you and the knitting fabric on the floor. You can use a similar color yarn or even dental floss like in Susie’s video. Just place the yarn on the needle opposite to the carriage on each row. Then after the knitting is off the machine, you just pull from one end of the yarn to close the knitting and into a tube.

This will work best when there is no complicated shaping or stitch pattern because the loops formed by the seaming yarn can block the view of the knitting and harder to manipulate stitches.

I will also show the technique in a different sock knitting video for a pair of kid’s socks.

The trick to keep the loops untangled is to keep the loops tight enough (not big loops) when you are knitting, and when you are pulling the yarn end, push all other loops to the other side and just focus on the next loop. It is easier when you are doing it one at a time.

This technique is not suitable if the yarn is too thin or weak because it might break during pulling. Most socks yarns have some nylon or polyester so it is strong enough.

Watch the video of the no-sew circular knitting technique