Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with this knitting machine thing. Let me tell you, it’s been a journey!
First off, I started looking into what kind of machine to get. There are a few brands out there, but the big ones seem to be Brother and Knitmaster/Silver Reed. I ended up going with a Silver Reed. Why? Well, it’s the one I stumbled upon first, and I figured, “Why not?” Plus, I heard they’re still making them, so getting spare parts shouldn’t be a pain.
Choosing the Yarn
Then there’s the whole yarn situation. Turns out, you can’t just throw any old yarn in these things. I learned the hard way that thinner yarns are better for standard gauge machines, and if you’re thinking of making, like, a chunky knit hat, you need a bulky knitting machine. So, I had to spend some time figuring out which machine does what.
- Experimented with thin yarn on a standard machine – worked pretty well!
- Tried some thicker yarn – nope, definitely needed a different machine.
Different Machines, Different Features
So, I dug a little deeper into the different machines. Some are more basic, some have all the bells and whistles. I found this one called Addi Express King Size, and it seemed pretty solid. Supposedly, it’s built to last.
Hand Crank or Electric?
Oh, and get this – some of these machines are electric, and some you gotta crank by hand. I opted for a hand crank one, just to keep it simple. A friend of mine got an electric one, and she’s been having fun with it.
All in all, it’s been a fun little project. I’m still learning the ropes, but I’ve managed to knit a few things. It’s definitely easier than knitting by hand, once you get the hang of it. Knitting machines are great for everyone, that’s for sure.
I reckon I will keep exploring this knitting machine. I am still on the lookout for that perfect yarn and machine combo. It’s all part of the fun, right?
