It's some years since I've done any machine knitting, but I have recently aquired a Brother KH 981. I keep trying to cast on, but on the first sweep across the yarn only catches on the first gate peg and needle, and then lies across all the needles which I've pulled out. What am I doing wrong? Thank you in advance.

Bette, November 2011

Push the number of needles you want to working position, then push back every second one to non working pos. Knit over the needles, hang the cast on comb and weights on them. Bring the other needles to working pos and knit over all. NB use waste yarn to cast on, knit a few rows then a row with the nylon thread before your main yarn.

Edith, December 2011

Thank you, Sue - I'll try it again tomorrow x

Bette, November 2011

Hi Bette,
Welcome back to machine knitting. Sorry to hear you are having problems.
To start with make sure that the Holding Cam Lever is set to N and none of the Cam Buttons are pushed in - if they are use the Cam Button Release Lever to cancel them and make sure it is set to Plain. With the carriage set this way all needles should knit.
Now pull forward every other needle between 30 Left to 30 Right of centre 0, thread the yarn into feeder A and close the lever and take the carriage across; you should now have a loop of yarn on each of these needles. Hang on the cast-on comb, pull forward the in-between needles and take the carriage back. You should now have a cast on suitable for knitting a practice piece.
I hope this helps get you started.
Regards,

Sue, November 2011