Banging My Head Against a Wall...

So try as I might the knitting machine seemed just a bit off there is something that doesn't seem like it is calibrated quite right, and on a knitting machine that is like tossing a handful of scrap metal into a running engine, in other words not pretty. The yarn was tangling the automatic cast-ons weren't working and the machine was not behaving like any of the machines shown online in what videos and such I could find. I could not figure out what could possibly be wrong, I didn't remember it having these issues the very first time I set it up so what could possibly have changed.

There is a saying that my family likes to use when repairing things (which unfortunately we seem to have to do a lot): You only need two things, duct tape and WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn't duct tape it, if it should move and it doesn't hit it with the WD-40. And if you can't fix it with a hammer it is an electrical problem. About 99% of the time this philosophy works (and when it doesn't it is doubtful it is worth fixing anyhow). So I decided that this should probably work on the knitting machine with a few modifications.

(Note: Only use knitting machine lube on your knitting machine. Other oils and lubricants may degrade the many plastic parts within the knitting machine)

After some online research the knitting machine equivalent of duct tape seemed to be replacing the sponge bar. The sponge bar is this nifty little metal bar with a sponge in it that sits on top of all the needles at the front of the machine (inside the bed) and applies pressure. This wondrous little gadget is the answer to all your knitting machine troubles. In order to remove/replace needles you need to remove this and if it is in poor condition the whole machine will pretty much go haywire. 

If those lovely hooks (aka needles) sticking out of your machine are even kind of springy (move up and down vertically) your sponge bar probably needs some serious replacement. The good news? This is another fix it yourself project!