Okay, guys, let’s talk about knitting machines. I’ve been messing around with these things for a while now, and I gotta say, it’s been a wild ride. Today, I’m gonna break down my experience with two popular brands: Addi and Sentro. I bought both of these bad boys to see what the hype was all about. So, buckle up, and let’s get into it.
First Impressions
When I first got my hands on the Addi Express King Size, I was pretty pumped. It’s the bigger one, you know, with 46 needles. It felt solid, looked sleek, and I was ready to crank out some projects. The Sentro, on the other hand, comes in a couple of sizes, but I went for the 48-needle version. It seemed a bit more… plastic-y, I guess? But hey, it was cheaper, so I figured, why not give it a shot?
Getting Started
Setting up the Addi was a breeze. It came with these clamps to secure it to the table, which was super handy. The Sentro? Not so much. It has these suction cups that are supposed to keep it in place, but they kept popping off. It was a bit annoying, to be honest. I ended up using some of my own clamps to keep that thing steady.
Casting On
Now, this is where things started to get interesting. Casting on with the Addi was smooth. Like, really smooth. The yarn just glided through the needles, and I had a perfect cast-on in no time. With the Sentro, it was a different story. The yarn kept getting caught, and I had to redo it a few times. It felt like the needles weren’t as polished or something. I mean, I got it eventually, but it definitely took more effort.
Cranking Away
Once I got going, the Addi was a dream. I was cranking out rows like a machine—pun intended! It was so satisfying to see the fabric growing. But here’s the thing: the Sentro wasn’t terrible either. Once I got past the initial hiccups, it was actually pretty decent. It wasn’t as smooth as the Addi, but it got the job done.
Dropped Stitches and Other Nightmares
Alright, let’s talk about the dreaded dropped stitches. With the Addi, I barely had any. Maybe one or two, but that was it. And it was usually my fault, like I was going too fast or not paying attention. But with the Sentro, oh boy. Dropped stitches were a regular occurrence. I had to keep a close eye on it and fix them as I went. It was a bit of a pain, but I learned to manage it. Then I tried adding a yarn guide and a tension regulator, this Sentro was still easy to drop stitches.
Finishing Up
Taking the project off the Addi was a piece of cake. The stitches came off the needles easily, and I had a beautiful, finished piece. With the Sentro, it was a bit more tricky. Some of the stitches were tighter than others, and I had to be careful not to snag the yarn. I did manage to get it off in one piece, but it required more finesse.
What I Made
- Addi Projects:
- Hats: I made a bunch of hats with the Addi. They turned out great—super even stitches, nice and snug.
- Scarves: I also whipped up a few scarves. They were so quick to make, and the results were awesome.
- Sentro Projects:
- Headbands: I made some headbands with the Sentro. They were a bit wonky at first, but once I got the hang of it, they turned out okay.
- Small Panels: I used the Sentro to make some small panels for a patchwork project. It worked well for that, especially since I could just crank out a bunch of squares in no time.
Final Thoughts
So, here’s the bottom line. The Addi is definitely the better machine. It’s smoother, more reliable, and just a joy to use. But it’s also more expensive. The Sentro is a decent budget option. It’s not as polished as the Addi, and it has its quirks, but it’s not a total disaster. I’d say if you’re serious about machine knitting, go for the Addi. If you’re just testing the waters or on a tight budget, the Sentro might be worth a try. For me, I’ll probably stick with my Addi for most projects. It’s just a better experience overall. But I won’t throw away my Sentro. It’s like that old, beat-up car that you keep around for emergencies. You never know when you might need it, right? Anyway, that’s my two cents on these knitting machines. Hope you found this helpful!
