Got this manual sweater knitting machine a while back, and I’ve finally gotten around to playing with it. I always wanted to try one of those. So, I ordered one online and it arrived a few days ago.
First, I took it out of the box, and man, it was a bit confusing at first. There were so many parts! But I found the instruction manual, which, to be honest, wasn’t very helpful.
I watched some videos online, and they were a lifesaver. I spent a couple of hours just figuring out how to set it up. I put the main machine on my table. After that, I attached the yarn feeder and the tension thingy. It’s important to get the tension right, or the stitches come out all wrong.
Threading the Yarn
This part was tricky! I had to thread the yarn through a bunch of tiny holes and hooks. My fingers felt huge, and I kept dropping the yarn. It took a few tries, but I finally got it.
- First, place the yarn spool on the holder.
- Then, I guided it through the tension thingy.
- Finally, threaded it through the needle.
Casting On
This is like the starting line in knitting. I followed the video tutorial for this. Basically, I had to wrap the yarn around the needles in a specific pattern. It was slow going at first, but I got the hang of it. The first few rows are always the hardest, at least for me.
Knitting the Rows
Once I got past the cast-on, it was smooth sailing. I turned the crank, and the machine started knitting. It was so cool to watch! Each turn of the crank makes a new row. I made a few rows, just to test it out. It is much faster than hand knitting.
Casting Off
This is how you finish the knitting so it doesn’t unravel. I used a tool to hook the yarn and pull it through the loops. It wasn’t too hard, I just had to be careful not to drop any stitches.
My first attempt was a small, simple piece. It is not perfect, but I’m happy with it. I think I’m getting the hang of this machine. I’m already thinking about my next project. Maybe a scarf or a small blanket. It’s a fun new hobby. If you like knitting, you should definitely try one of these machines!
