# Source: https://learn.adafruit.com/electroknit/backup.md

# Electro-knit

## Backup

This step will show how to download the custom patterns from the knitting machine memory to your computer. This is just for the 'custom' patterns, it wont download the 'built in' patterns that are shown in the manual.

**Plug in the cable** into the back of the machine.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/773/medium800/braincrafts_knitport_t.jpg?1396765745)

There is a 'key' on the plug so you should be able to use it without accidentally putting it backwards. Still, check to make sure you have the right colored wires in the right places now, before plugging it in.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/774/medium800/braincrafts_cableplugged_t.jpg?1396765751)

Now back to the computer. Start up the disk drive emulator in the command line by typing in&nbsp; **python PDDemulate-1.0.py img COMPORT** &nbsp;where&nbsp; **COMPORT** &nbsp;is your serial connection. For example on a mac the command might be&nbsp; **python PDDemulate-1.0.py img /dev/tty.usbserial-A7TKMHYD** &nbsp;this will make an 'image' of the knitting memory in a directory called&nbsp; **img**.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/775/medium800/braincrafts_screen_shot_2010-11-01_at_3.57.41_pm.png?1396765762)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/776/medium800/braincrafts_screen_shot_2010-11-01_at_3.57.52_pm.png?1396765774)

Now over on your knitting machine... When "ready" lamp is lit, clear display with&nbsp; **CE** &nbsp;key, then prepare to save pattern data to "disk" by typing&nbsp; **552** , then&nbsp; **STEP**.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/777/medium800/braincrafts_01_press_ce_then_552.jpg?1396765779)

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/780/medium800/braincrafts_03_display_goes_dark.jpg?1396765794)

Display will go blank and then "ready" and "pattern no" lamps will light up with the "track" number 1 in the display. Press&nbsp; **STEP**.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/781/medium800/braincrafts_02_press_step_track_1_appea.jpg?1396765787)

Machine will beep when finished, and the track data will now be in the&nbsp; **img** &nbsp;folder along with your emulator and other scripts. Ignore the .id files.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/000/782/medium800/braincrafts_screen_shot_2010-11-01_at_3.58.46_pm.png?1396765815)

The emulator also makes a handy&nbsp; **file-01.dat** &nbsp;file to make it easy to preview the patterns using&nbsp; **dumppattern.py** &nbsp;(see the next step)

We'll need that&nbsp; **file-01.dat** &nbsp;file, so make a backup of it somewhere else for safekeeping! That file contains all your patterns.

- [Previous Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/electroknit/software.md)
- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/electroknit/view.md)

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