So I saw this thing called the “addi” or “Sentro” knitting machine online a while back, and I thought, “What the heck, I gotta try that!” It looked super cool, like a shortcut to making knitted stuff without needing to know how to actually knit.
I ordered one – it was a bit of a splurge, but I was excited. When it arrived, I ripped open the box like a kid on Christmas morning. It’s this round plastic thing with a bunch of needles all around the inside and a handle on the side. You’re supposed to thread yarn through it and just crank the handle to knit. Sounds easy, right?
Well, let me tell you, it wasn’t quite as simple as it looked in the videos. First off, figuring out how to get the yarn set up was a pain. The instructions weren’t super clear, and I ended up watching a bunch of YouTube tutorials. I finally got it threaded, but it took me a good hour of fiddling around.
Casting On And Off
Then came the actual knitting part. You’re supposed to turn the handle, and the machine just magically knits for you. I started cranking, and at first, it seemed to be working. I was making this tube of knitted fabric, which was pretty neat. But then, disaster struck – dropped stitches! A bunch of loops of yarn just fell off the needles, and my perfect tube had these gaping holes.
I tried to fix it, but it was a mess. I had to un-crank the whole thing and start over. I learned that the key is to go slow and steady, especially when you’re starting and ending a row. Also, tension is key, to be sure it is not to loose or tight. You gotta hold the yarn just right, or else it gets all messed up.
- First Attempt: Total fail. Dropped stitches everywhere, had to start over.
- Second Attempt: Better, but still had some issues with tension. Made a wonky-looking tube.
- Third Attempt: I think I’m getting the hang of it! Made a decent-looking hat, but it’s a bit too small.
I kept practicing, and after a few more tries, I actually managed to make a few wearable things. I made a couple of hats, a scarf, and even attempted a small blanket (which took forever, by the way). It’s definitely not perfect, and I still drop stitches sometimes, but it’s been a fun learning process.
So, is the addi or Sentro knitting machine worth it? I’d say it depends. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make knitted stuff, and you’re not too concerned about perfection, then yeah, it’s pretty cool. But be prepared for a learning curve and some frustration along the way. It’s not as foolproof as it seems!
It is a nice try for me. I will keep learning to make other things with the addi knitting machine.
