Okay, so I finally got my hands on one of those Sentro 32 pin knitting machines. Been seeing them pop up everywhere online, and you know me, I like to try new things. Figured the 32 pin was a decent size to start with, not too massive, not too tiny for what I had in mind.
Getting Started with this Thing
When the box showed up, it was pretty much what I expected. Pulled the machine out, and yeah, it’s plastic. Feels a bit lightweight, but for the price, can’t really complain too much. It came with a couple of small yarn skeins – nothing fancy, just enough to get you started – a plastic crochet hook, and a darning needle. The usual bits and bobs.
Setting it up wasn’t too bad. The instructions were… well, they were there. More pictures than words, which sometimes helps, sometimes not. The suction cup feet, you gotta really press those down if you don’t want the machine skittering all over your table. I learned that pretty quick. Threading the yarn through the tension guide was the first little challenge. Took a couple of tries to get it right, making sure it wasn’t too tight or too loose.
My First Tries and Some Drama
Alright, moment of truth – casting on. The manual, and every video I watched later, said to go slow. They weren’t kidding. My first attempt? Let’s just say it didn’t look like anything you’d want to wear. Dropped stitches were my new best friend. I’d crank that handle, thinking I was doing great, then oops, yarn would just leap off a pin like it was trying to escape. It was frustrating, I won’t lie.
I ended up spending a good hour or two watching videos online. The little booklet that came with it just didn’t cut it for troubleshooting. Seeing someone else actually do it, and mess up, and fix it – that was way more helpful.
Finding My Groove
After a bunch of false starts, and maybe a few choice words muttered under my breath, I started to get the hang of it. Tension is everything with these machines. You really have to keep an eye on how the yarn is feeding. Not too tight, or the needles struggle and you might break the yarn. Too loose, and you get sloppy, loopy stitches, or worse, dropped ones.
I learned to listen to the machine. There’s a certain rhythm, a series of clicks and clacks, that tells you things are going okay. If that sound changes, or you hear a weird thunk, stop immediately. Something’s usually about to go wrong.
It has two modes: tube and panel. Tube is for making hats, socks, sleeves, that sort of thing. Panel is for flat pieces, like scarves or blanket squares. I’ve mostly stuck to tubes so far. The panel setting is a bit more fiddly, in my opinion, and you have to be extra careful at the edges.
What I’ve Made (So Far)
So, what have I actually produced with this gadget?
- A couple of simple tube hats. Good for practice.
- A few leg warmer type things for the kids. They seemed to like them.
- I attempted a small flat panel. It was… an experience. Let’s just say it needs more work.
I’m still learning, but it’s satisfying to see something take shape so quickly, even if it’s simple.
The Good and The Not-So-Good
What do I like about it? It’s fast. Seriously, once you get a rhythm going and your tension is right, it churns out knitted fabric way faster than I ever could by hand. It’s also pretty good for using up some of that stash yarn, especially the cheaper acrylics seem to work alright in it. And honestly, there’s something kinda fun about just cranking that handle.
Now for the downsides. Dropped stitches are the absolute nemesis. You glance away for a second, and bam, you’ve got a ladder. Yarn choice is also a big deal. Some yarns just don’t like this machine. They’ll split, they’ll snag, they’ll cause all sorts of headaches. It’s not a quiet machine either, so don’t expect to use it while someone’s trying to watch TV peacefully. Oh, and the row counter on mine? It’s a bit temperamental. Sometimes it counts, sometimes it decides to take a break.
My Final Thoughts
So, the Sentro 32 pin knitting machine. Is it going to replace my hand knitting needles? Absolutely not. The quality and control you get with hand knitting is just different. But, is it a fun little tool for whipping up simple projects quickly, especially if you’ve got a lot of yarn to use up or want to make things like hats in bulk? Yeah, I’d say so. You just have to be patient with the learning curve and understand its limitations. It’s a gadget, and like most gadgets, it has its quirks. If you’re willing to work with those, it can be pretty rewarding.
