DIY Knitting Machine Weights

When using a knitting machine, it is usually necessary to attach weights to the work piece. This maintains an even tension, helping to prevent dropped stitches and ridges in the fabric. I borrowed the idea of using a roll of pennies for a DIY weight, and made holders for them out of nylon webbing. The homemade weights can be hung using S-shaped metal hooks.

Replacement knitting machines weights can be rather expensive for such a simple accessory. A roll of pennies makes a compact weight, and costs just $0.50. Fifty pennies weigh 4 oz (125 g). You can use fewer pennies for a smaller weight. If you need something heavier, hang multiple rolls on a single hook.

Tubular nylon webbing is an ideal material to hold the pennies, being extremely tough and abrasion-resistant. It's also easy to cut, and because the cut ends can be melted to bond them together or prevent fraying, it does not require any sewing. The webbing needs to be 1½" (38 mm) wide for a roll of pennies to fit inside. Webbing is often available by the foot from outdoor sports shops that sell rock climbing equipment.

Follow these steps to make your own weights:

A roll of pennies is about 3" (75 mm) long. To make your own tubular holders, cut 6" (150 mm) lengths of webbing using a pair of sharp scissors. Trim any loose threads from the ends of the webbing.
Next, you will need to make a 3/8" (10 mm) diameter hole near the end of each tube to accommodate a hook. Put a flat piece of scrap metal inside the tube to protect the back of the webbing. Heat up a piece of 3/8" OD copper tube on the stovetop. You will be melting some plastic, so open a window or turn on the fan to help with ventilation. Press the tube into the webbing to melt a hole, holding the hot metal using an oven mitt.
The melted edges of the hole are strong enough on their own, but you can reinforce the hole with a #2 grommet if you like.
Heat a scrap piece of flat metal on the stovetop. Hold the end of the webbing opposite the hole against the hot metal to melt the fibers.
Squeeze the edges together to bond the melted nylon and seal the end of the tube, taking care not to burn your fingers on the hot plastic.
Hold the other end of the tube open in an 'O' shape and press it against the hot metal plate to melt the cut edge. This will prevent fraying.
Stuff a roll of pennies inside each tube. Your homemade weights are now ready to go! Use metal S-hooks to attach the weights to the knitting.
As an alternative to S-hooks, you could make weight hangers by cutting links from #1 double loop chain which you can buy by the foot in many hardware stores.