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Step By Step

or you have a look at this nice tutorial by Claire Williams:

http://xxxclairewilliamsxxx.wordpress.com/hack-ta-machine-a-tricoter/hack-your-knitting-machine-tutorial/

1. Installation of the AYAB shield into the machine

Video Tutorial:

https://vimeo.com/99870358

2. Downloading the current AYAB software

Windows:

Download from: AYAB 0.8

Run the downloaded file and install to the proposed folder.

Linux:

see https://pypi.python.org/pypi/ayab/0.8

3. Installation of the Arduino Driver

Windows:

In the case you do NOT have the Arduino IDE on the computer already:

Run the following for 64 bit Windows:

C:\ayab-windows\drivers\dpinst-amd64.exe

or this for 32 bit Windows

C:\ayab-windows\drivers\dpinst-x86.exe

to install the Arduino Driver.

Linux:

not necessary, it is assumed that avrdude is available in the PATH

4. Running the AYAB Software

Windows:

Run ayab.exe from the installation folder

Linux:

ayab

5. Flashing (loading) the AYAB Firmware into the Arduino (necessary first time only – unless you have loaded other software recently!)

(find a video tutorial here: https://vimeo.com/105064325)

• Make sure that the Arduino is connected to the computer via the USB cable and Port (Advice: If this is the first-time installation of the firmware, the beeper might beep continuously. To prevent this, just unplug the beeper until the firmware has been uploaded for the first time)
• Start AYAB GUI
• Menu //Tools -> Load AYAB Firmware
• Choose the port the Arduino is connected to (probably COM4 (Windows) or /dev/ttyACM0 (Linux))
• Choose your Arduino model (UNO or MEGA)
• Choose the latest firmware version (latest)
• Klick the Flash Button, wait 10 seconds
• Close the Firmware Flashing Utility
• The Arduino should now be ready to knit!

Important for Linux Users:

Before trying to flash the firmware, you have to make sure that your user has got sufficient rights to use the USB port:

sudo usermod -a -G tty [userName]
sudo usermod -a -G dialout [userName]

6. Knitting

Here is a Video Tutorial by Zaubermerline (german text): Youtube

• Prepare your machine to knit patterns (knit some rows)
• Make sure that the Arduino is connected to the computer via USB
• Start AYAB GUI
• Use Load File to open the image file with your pattern from the hard disk
• Choose the port the Arduino is connected to (probably COM4 (Windows) or /dev/ttyACM0 (Linux))
• Configure the knitting parameters ** Amount of colours (2 - 6, more than 2 are experimental currently) ** Start Line ** Start Needle/Stop Needle (This has to correspond the needles which you are using to knit.) ** Pattern position (left, centered, right) ** Machine Type (Singlebed or Doublebed)
• Click Configure
• Click Knit!
• Follow the instructions on the screen

7. additional information

Although knitting with AYAB is semi-automatic, it is still needlework and may be confusing and frustrating during the first few tries. DO NOT GIVE UP!!

To give you a good start, we supply some Step by Step Tutorial and Tips and Tricks.