Well, howdy there, y’all! Let’s gab a bit ’bout them brother knitting machines. I ain’t no fancy expert, mind you, just a plain ol’ gal who’s seen a thing or two.
Now, these here machines, they come in all sorts. Some folks are all about that automation, you know, no fussin’ with punch cards. They want them electronic ones, fancy and all. Says it makes things easier, lets you do all sorts of patterns without breakin’ a sweat. Me? I ain’t so sure. Sometimes I think the ol’ ways are best, but then again, my arthritis ain’t gettin’ any better, so maybe there’s somethin’ to it.
Then you got folks squabblin’ over them model numbers. Heard tell of some fancy ones, like the KH930, 940, and 970. They argue and fuss over which one’s better, what’s different ’bout ’em. Sounds like a bunch of hens clucking to me. To each their own, I say. Find one that suits ya and stick with it.
- The 965i – Heard it’s a real workhorse, that one. Folks say it’s flexible, lets you do all sorts of things. But it’s got them electronics, so if that ain’t your cup of tea, best look elsewhere.
- The KH-840 – Now, this one’s supposed to be good for most folks, even beginners. Ain’t too pricey, and it’s got plenty of stitch options. Seems like a good place to start if you ask me.
- The 230 – Oh, that ol’ 230. Folks say it’s the perfect first machine. Simple as can be, and you can use regular yarn with it, no need for fancy stuff. Makes a nice sweater too. If I were starting out today, that’s probably where I’d begin.
And don’t forget about them ribbers, like the KR830 and KR850. They say there ain’t much difference, mostly in the carriages, but you can swap ’em around. I never messed with them much myself, always stuck to the basics, but some folks swear by ’em. You need one of these ribbers if you want to work on elastic waistbands on a sweater, or maybe the collar of a t-shirt or the edges of cuffs on sleeves.
Then there’s them fancy computer machines, the SHIMA SEIKI ones. They’re supposed to be the bee’s knees, the best you can get. But I reckon they cost a pretty penny too. For them big factories, I guess, not for the likes of me. Those big machines, well they are for making clothes for everyone. But I just like making things for the family, things to keep them warm and cozy.
Brother quit makin’ these machines a long time ago, back in the late ’90s. They made manuals, them ones you gotta crank yourself, and the electronic ones. Nowadays, you gotta find ’em used, at flea markets or online. Kinda like findin’ a needle in a haystack, sometimes, but they’re out there if you look hard enough. And the good thing about them old ones is that they last forever. They built them things tough, back in the day, not like all this cheap plastic stuff they sell now.
So, if you’re thinkin’ ’bout gettin’ a brother knitting machine, do your research. Figure out what you need, what you can afford, and what you can handle. Don’t get caught up in all the fancy talk and technical mumbo jumbo. Just find a machine that feels right and start knittin’. That’s what I did, and I ain’t regretted it one bit. It keeps my hands busy and my mind off things, and that’s good enough for me.
And let me tell you, there’s nothin’ quite like the feeling of wearin’ somethin’ you made with your own two hands. Or givin’ a hand-knitted gift to someone you love. It’s a special thing, a piece of your heart, woven into every stitch. So go on, give it a try. You might just surprise yourself.
Tags: [Brother knitting machine, KH-840, KH-965i, 230, KR830, KR850, knitting machine review, best knitting machine, knitting for beginners, manual knitting machine, electronic knitting machine]
