Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get into knitting for a while, you know, make some cool scarves or hats. But I’m not exactly a pro with the needles, and it takes forever! So, I started looking into these knitting machines. I heard about two big names: Addi and Sentro. And let me tell you, the internet is full of opinions on which one’s better. So, I decided, why not try them both and see for myself?
My First Knitting Machine: The Addi
I started with the Addi Express King Size. This thing is pretty hefty, feels solid. It’s got 46 needles. Setting it up was a breeze, honestly. Just clamp it to a table, and you’re good to go. The yarn went in easy, and I started cranking. It was surprisingly smooth. I made a few practice swatches, played around with the settings. It’s got a row counter, which is super helpful, so you don’t lose track of where you are.
But, after some time, it started dropping stitches. Not all the time, but enough to be annoying. It seemed to be a common problem after I checked online. So I did some tests and found out that it was the yarn that came with the kit. I immediately changed the yarn and the problem was gone. After that, it worked fine. I even managed to make a pretty decent beanie! But, the whole dropped stitch thing, and the fact that I had to figure it out myself, left me a little unsure.
Switching Gears: The Sentro
Next up, the Sentro 48. This one’s a bit cheaper than the Addi, and it feels like it, too. It’s lighter, a little more… plasticky, I guess? But it has 48 needles, two more than the Addi! Setting it up was just as easy. This one also has a row counter, thank goodness. I started cranking, and, yeah, it’s not as smooth as the Addi. It felt a bit rougher, and it made more noise.
But here’s the thing: it didn’t drop a single stitch! I used the same yarn I used on the Addi, the one that was giving me problems, and the Sentro handled it like a champ. I made a scarf, a couple of hats, just to really test it out. It wasn’t perfect, the tension was a little uneven in places, but hey, no dropped stitches!
My Takeaway
So, which one do I like better? Honestly, it’s tough. The Addi feels like a higher-quality machine. It’s smoother, quieter, and just feels more… premium, I guess. But that dropped stitch issue? And the price tag being almost double of the Sentro? Not so great.
The Sentro, on the other hand, is a workhorse. It might not be as fancy, but it gets the job done. And for the price? It’s a steal. I mean, I made a bunch of stuff with it, and it didn’t give me any major headaches. Also, it comes with a lot more accessories. I like that.
If you’re just starting out, and you’re not sure if you’ll stick with it, I’d say go with the Sentro. It’s a great way to dip your toes in the water without breaking the bank. If you’re more serious, and you’re willing to deal with a bit of a learning curve to figure out the best yarn to use, then maybe the Addi is worth the investment.
Me? I’m keeping both. I like having the option, you know? I can use the Addi for projects where I want that smoother finish, and the Sentro for when I just want to crank something out quickly.
Hope this helps anyone else out there who’s trying to decide between these two machines. Happy knitting!
