Hi Margaret. You must also check the spongebar (needle retaining bar) If your machine was stored for so long it could be that the spongebar is flat and not working like it should. It keeps the needles flat on the bed. Do a google search to find more info on the spongebar.
Kind regards
Marie

Hi there well firstly after 20yrs are you sure that you have threaded up all the masts correctly, and then using the correct tension on the dial, are you using a fancy yarn if so try with a standard yarn, you may need to use the weights and also another thought have you got the carriage set for plain knitting.. try using another area of the bed to the left or right then you could eliminate a problem with that area of needles. take a breath start slowly and double check through everything from the cone of yarn all the way through then check the carriage , is it on perfectly, etc, hope this helps a little thanks heidi

Hi, Hope you have solved this[noticed the date was in 2010], but if you have not-try using more weights, especially on either end. This told me years ago & works. Hope this helps, Blessings- Chip