I can't seem to get the tension right on my machine and the cotton gets into a massive knott on the bottom and in where the bobbin sits. I have tried reading the manual but nothing so far has worked

Hello again Camron
Page 3 of the manual shows threading. The thread goes over the and inbetween the washers. It is the grip of the washers that governs the tension. Cotton shirt is an ideal test medium.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81Po%2BWc4TCS.pdf

It is referred to as a 'Child's Sewing machine'!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N7Iff65EDA

https://www.google.com/search?q=continental+electric+sewing+machine+ce10131+manual

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it is called bird nesting and the upper thread tension is not tight enough
Proper needle thread tension is when you feel resistance as you pull the thread through the needle eye

Yes it usually is caused by lack of bobbin tension. The bobbin tension doesn't usually change by itself though, so check for other reasons before changing it. Can you feel some tension when you pull the bobbin thread?
Is the bobbin cotton threaded correctly through the bottom tensioner? Is it the same size as the top cotton?
Is the top cotton correctly threaded and freely moving through its path? How much tension is felt when you pull it?
Good luck finding the problem.

It sounds like you have no tension on the bottom bobbin reel. Did you check your tension on the bobbin reel. The tension must be right on both sides. When pulling on the cotton when the reel is in its bobbin case you need to feel a little resistance. Adjust the tiny srew on the bobbin case to tighten the reel to avoid it to turn in the casing.

Hello

Load your Kenmore sewing machine with the right thread and bobbin thread for your project. If you use the wrong weight thread for your fabric or severely uneven weights of thread, this can cause the appearance of a tension problem when it is, in fact, a thread weight problem or a problem with your sewing speed. If you go too fast, you will break the thread. If you go too slow, you can cause loops. Uneven pressure can cause stitches to vary greatly.

Test your Kenmore sewing machine's tension by sewing on a piece of scrap fabric. If your tension is way off, then test on some basic cotton or a firm blend simply to get your tension right. Do not try to start adjusting your tension on silk or leather. Get a base adjustment on a more standard fabric first.

Look at the top threads and bottoms threads. If the tension is off on one side, it will usually affect the other side slightly. So select the side that looks more maladjusted to start adjusting the tension.

If the top thread is too loose or too tight, you will need to adjust the tension dial. This dial is usually located a few inches above the needle on the Kenmore machine body. Usually, your machine will have markings to indicate which direction tightens the tension. If these have worn off over the years, watch the dial as you turn it. If it appears to move toward the machine body, then it is tightening.

If the bottom thread is too loose or too tight, then you will need to open the door to the bobbin case. On some Kenmore models, there is a little screw near the bobbin case that can be adjusted slightly to adjust the tension. On other Kenmore models, there is a screw on the bobbin case itself--not on the bobbin, but on the bobbin's casing. This will also adjust the bottom thread tension. Adjust the bobbin thread tension to make slight changes.

If the thread is looping severely on one side, the thread weights might be off. For instance, look to see if you have a lightweight thread on the bobbin and a heavyweight one on the top. If the thread keeps breaking, the top tension or bottom tension could be too tight or the thread is too lightweight for the material you have selected. Check your combination of threads and material. Also make sure you are using the right weight needle and the right foot for the sewing step or project you are working on.

If your Kenmore sewing machine's tension is off severely or if you have not used your Kenmore in a long time, then you might need to take your machine in to be serviced. Sometimes, the inner parts need to be oiled or the entire machine might need to be cleaned and calibrated by a professional. If you sew a great deal or if your machine sits idle a lot, both situations will usually require some servicing to keep your Kenmore sewing machine and its tension in perfect working condition.

The tension for cotton is set the same way tension is set for any fabric:

1. The thread should pull freely with a small resistance before/after it goes through the needle, on many machines that's half way on the tension adjustment.

2. The bobbin thread when dangled by the thread with the bobbin inside the case should drop down a bit when slightly flicking your wrist like you do with a yo-yo. If it reels out to the floor the tension is too loose. If it doesn't drop at all it is too tight.

3. Now make sure you use the right type of needle. For cotton you want a "sharp" and for reg. weight cotton about a size 10 maybe 12.

Now take a piece of strap cotton material like you're going to sew a seem and sew with a wide zig zag. Example the top side and then the bottom. They should appear identical, flat with needle holes at each side where the thread disappears to the other side. You should see no loop where the threads over lap each other and the material should not be puckering in the middle.

If that is not what you see then think this way:

The TOP side of the stitch is effected by the BOTTOM thread. the bobbin tension.
The BOTTOM side of the stitch is effected by the TOP /needle tension.

Adjust the responding tensions until the stitch looks the same on both sides. Now you are ready to sew your cotton! :)

It sounds like it has not been correctly threaded or the tension is too tight. Check the tension discs for bits of thread that may have broken off and be causing a blockage.
Re-thread the top threads making sure the pressure foot is up before passing the thread through the tension discs!
Then check the bobbin is running correctly by pulling on the tail of the thread. The bobbin should rotate clockwise. Put the bobbin case in and make sure it is seated correctly.

If all this fails try replacing the needle. A blunt needle can cause all sorts of weird problems

Have you checked not only the top tension but also the bottom (bobbin) tension? Top tension is usually a lever wheel etc on the machine (depending on model). To tighten the bobbin tension you need to tighten the small screw on your bobbin casing.

I don't suppose it could be as simple as this?

take out the bottom bobbin and adjust this till it will not quite hold it's own weight when you hold the cotton and let the weight of the bobbin fall gently on it. adjust the top tension to suit.

try and adjusting your bobbin case tension ,the little screw on the bobbin case. with bobbin in case hang by thread if it drops easy tension is to light cotton should be able to slightly move through the case. hope this helps reguards