The Passap knitting machine - further reading part 3

These have been kindly provided by etrnlife on Ravelry - these are some Passap publications I don't have so she kindly reviewed them for me. 

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Basic Course For The Passap Knitting Machine, A van der Merwe, 1984, 116 pages

(Her copy was well worn when she got it and the cover is missing.)

A complete resource! Detailed information on how the machine works and everything else. Includes single and double bed knitting, the transfer locks, intarsia, understanding the shaping notations/symbols in the model books, and detailed information for shaping necklines with or without the Deco in use.

Casting on and Binding off, G Bengelsdorf, 1992, 26 pages

As the name implies, the book contains various methods for casting and binding off. Includes the basics, figure 8 bind off, chaining in rib, methods done away from the machine, binding off 3 & 4 color Jaquard, and making the cast on and bind off match.

Charting for the Passap, Sylvia K. Jones, 1987, 23 pages, appears to be self published in a report cover w/plastic slip on spine.

This book seems more about doing the work of the Form Computer for those who do not have one. You are taking an existing pattern, from your choice of source, and adapting your gauge to it. There is no information for measuring your body or adjusting the pattern shape to your needs. Using a calculator to do the math is explained, calculating the pattern schematic curves/slopes to your gauge is included. There are helpful tips on understanding how to count sts from your swatch and how to increase/decrease when doing double bed patterning.

The Passap handbook - Deco, B A Erkovitch, 1988, 106 pages. 

Includes a review of the pusher system without the Deco, inner workings of the Deco, and how to use it. there rest of the book is a study format with several lessons pertaining to each stitch type. Deco card #77 is used in the picture examples of each lesson, but Card #19 from the basic pack is suggested as an alternative. The anatomy of the stitch section for each lesson is wonderful in understanding what the machine is doing. Understanding the stitches can help you to go beyond this book. Helpful information is included on 4 color knitting, single motif placement, and the transfer lock.

Duomatic Doodles, Diane Gerard, 1986, 49 pages

Looks to be self published. My copy is signed and is printed on home computer paper. The cover is a simple 3 prong folder.

This book has many hints and tips. This book is technical with no patterns. It discusses the usual how to use the machine and includes transfer methods, increase/decrease methods, necklines/bands, cast off methods, reading and understanding diagrams, calculating your own patterns and more.

Duomatic knitting, M Weaver, 1986, 175 pages. 

This book has more patterns and information related to garment construction. There are several patterns and Deco card designs. Information includes longstitch, intarsia, jacquard, use of cast on comb and weights. The patterns include men, women, and children.

Primer for the Passap, Sylvia K. Jones, 1986, no page #s, appears to be self published in a report cover w/plastic slip on spine.

This is a collection of garment hint and tips. Information covers hems, casings, knit in edges for arm holes and necklines, short row uses for curved hems/bust darts/sideways knitting, and intarsia. Patterns include Sleeveless vest with knit in trim, sideways and panel skirts, and cabled intarsia sweater.

The Passap Duomatic, M Weaver, 1976, 262 pages. 

This book contains a few patterns and loads of detailed help on many topics. Topics discussed are the basics like casting on and stitches, types of yarns, the transfer lock, seaming, cut and sew, button holes, trimmings, etc.

Passap U80, K Fay, 1983, 38 pages

Wonderful Resource for all transfer locks, including the U100(E). This book explains more than the manual and includes five sweater patterns. Three patterns are for ladies, including a Catherine’s Wheel lace pattern, and two patterns are for men.

Previously posted: part 1 and part 2

The Passap knitting machine: further reading - part 2

Very few images this time around - if I get chance maybe I'll take some with the smartphone. Part 1 is here, and part 3 is here

E6000 shortcut manual - Patricia J Wetzel

A short (14 page) document which simplifies the E6000 manual with a flowchart over two pages and lists some common techniques.

"The "Know-how" Book, Volumes 1 and 2, for Passap/Pfaff E6000 and Duo 80 machines", Pat Cook

Two self-published books which again are packed with essential information for these machines in an easy to understand format. 

"The Passap Passbook of Essential Basic Information for all Passap System Knitters From Absolute Beginners to Advanced", George Le Warre

This probably wins the title of longest book title ever. A fairly short publication, it contains basic information as to the lock settings, a useful chart giving recommended stitch sizes for various yarn thicknesses for 1x1 and stocking stitch, and another useful table comparing these to stitch sizes on Japanese and Superba machines. Useful information on yarn counts, different yarns (fibre content), casting on and shaping. Printed on red paper so quite hard to read - suspect this was done to prevent people photocopying it. 

"Understanding and Enjoying your Passap E6000", Carmen Reuter

This is a collection of 28 newsletters produced by Carmen. I cannot remember how I purchased these, but I expect it was online and I got them printed and bound. Lots of very useful information here.

"Index to the Passap Electronic 6000 Stitch Book", M M Gulless

This is a straight index for all the stitch patterns that appear in the E6000 manual

"The Passap Passbook of Form Programmes Decoded and Demystified", George Le Warre

This book is a short 16 pages but breaks the form programmes down so that you could develop your own, and there's a simple pattern at the end. Sold to raise money for heart charities

"Jack Pullan's Simplified Guide to Programming the E6000", Jack Pullan

Published by Alice Wilmshurst, well known for her selfpublished machine knitted "journals". Does what it says in the title - a set of 13 lessons and 6 leaflets, encouraging the reader to work through various exercises. 

"Passap / Pfaff Electronic 6000 - learn to convert Duomatic stitch patterns to the E6000", Jack Pullan

A very good resource for anyone who has moved from the older machine to the newer one, and wishes to understand how to program the E6000. 

"Knitting with the Lights Off", Billie Hall

I bought this from the author as a PDF online, so my copy doesn't have this pink colour - as the title suggests, it gets the user familiar with the E6000 without using the console. Instructions for patch pockets, professional neckbands, plus some basic patterns to get you started. 

"Passap Duo 80 & E6000 Helpsheet No 2, Necklines for Everyday", Mrs A J Golding
"Passap E6000 Helpsheet No 3, What happens when I?", Mrs A J Golding

Help sheet 2 is all about necklines. Help sheet 3 is a useful reference for programming the console, and clarifies the instruction book. Presumably there's a helpsheet No 1 but as I don't have it I can't comment on its contents. 

The Passap knitting machine: further reading - part 1

Well, that last post obviously reached nobody, then. Zero comments! Oh well, never mind!

As I've been using my craft skills to fill the isolation of lockdown, I've been having to learn the Passap because it's the only machine that is permanently set up in the craft room (well, that and the CSM, but I've mostly conquered that one). Madag stopped production of these lovely machines many years ago, so although there were some publications focusing specifically on Passap, most of them are out of print so only available second hand or on Ebay. Surprisingly, a lot of "self-publishing" went on back then too - remember, this was before internet and PDFs / online publishing. If you are new to machine knitting, I grouped lots of book reviews on my website here, thanks to the lovely Kerstin. This post will mostly focus on Passap machines, I don't think Kerstin has a Passap. I will add more reviews as I find them - I collected many MK books like a magpie and have enjoyed visiting my library under lockdown. 

Legal disclaimer: I'm only sharing images of the front covers here to enable anyone lucky enough to stumble upon these gems in an estate sale and possibly save them from going in the bin. If you feel they contravene your copyright in any way, please inform me and I will delete the image link forthwith (these were all found online via google images). I am not sharing scans of the content. 

“A machine knitter’s guide to creating fabrics”, Susanna E. Lewis + Julia Weissman

This book is an amazing resource, and not just for Passap machine knitters. It goes through so many lovely textures and has tables showing how to get them on Brother, Knitmaster, Passap and Superba machines - or if it's even possible (certain machines have their specialities). A review with some pictures here. Be warned, it commands high prices online. Not particularly a book for beginners, but fascinating if you are mechanically minded. 

"Be your own Passap Paramedic", Michael Becker, Distinctive Knits

This is an excellent resource which explains how to do a complete clean of the Passap. Available on the link above - and Distinctive Knits also do a maintenance book for the Japanese machines, too. 

"The Passap Handbook - beginner course", Bernadette Erkovitch

Bernadette gained her passap in 1974 from a dealer who had no idea how to use it, and wrote two books which expanded on the not very detailed manual. The first book walks you through the various settings and has you knit some basic items. The second book concerns the Deco unit so is not suitable for E6000 owners. Printed copies are still available here.

"The Passap/Pfaff6000 Knitting Machine", Irene Krieger & George Le Warre

Irene was a regular contributor to machine knitting magazines, and George Le Warre published the Duet series of magazines. This book is a very clear explanation of the machine, and goes from the basics, six chapters on manipulating the inbuilt patterns, some discussion of putting in your own patterns, and the FORM program. 

"Passap System: Knitting and Pattern Techniques", Volumes 1 and 2, Kathleen Kinder

Kathleen Kinder has written many amazing books for machine knitters. They mostly concern a specific area such as lace, knitweave, etc, or a specific kind of garment eg skirts, and expand greatly on the capabilities in each area. These two books are no exception - they go straight into the amazing patterning capabilites of the machines. Not books for beginners, but excellent resources to have when you have got more confident with the basics. The first book contains an excellent table at the back with various suggested stitch sizes for all the basic pattern structures - I'd happily reproduce it here if it weren't for copyright, because that table alone is worth its weight in gold. Passaps are very delicate flowers if you don't get the stitch size bang on, which is mainly why mine has been such a trial for so long! 

"First Choice for E6000", "First Choice for Duomatics", "The E6000 reference book", Metbury Designs

Eileen Metcalf and Christina Salisbury taught machine knitting classes and formed Metbury Designs.  They wrote many self-published books for the Passap, and they were available for a small fee for many years via a now-defunct Yahoo group. They are brilliant books because they go through all the steps for a beginner in a clear style, and contain some basic sweater patterns to try. They produced lots of self-published pattern books for the Passap. As I have been disposing of magazines, I stumbled on the now defunct Metbury website via the wayback machine - as you can see, these ladies were pretty prolific! Currently some items are available as a PDF download via Facebook (Anne Crouchers Machine Knitting Knowledge). A small donation is requested for her local charity. 

That's it for now - breakfast is calling! Part two is here.