Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get into knitting, right? But I’m not about that hand-knitting life – too slow, too much effort. I need something faster, something…mechanical. So I thought, “Why not a knitting machine?” But where do I even find one? I typed in “knitting machine near me” into the search bar and hoped for the best.
My journey to find a knitting machine
First thing that popped up was a bunch of online stores, but I wanted to see one of these things in person. I want to touch it, I want to test it, I don’t want to buy this blind! I dug a little deeper, skipping past all the usual big-box stores that definitely wouldn’t have what I was looking for.
Then, I found a few local yarn shops. These places seemed promising. I called up the first one, and the lady on the phone was super nice, but sadly, no knitting machines. She did give me a tip, though! She told me to check out a specialty sewing and crafting store a few towns over. Bingo! I rang them up, and they had a couple of different models in stock.
Going to the store
I hopped in my car and drove over there. It was like a crafter’s paradise! They had everything, but I made a beeline for the knitting machines. They had two main types: circular and flatbed. The circular ones were smaller and looked simpler, good for making hats and scarves. The flatbed ones were bigger and could handle bigger projects, like blankets.
A really helpful guy walked me through all the features, showing me how to thread the yarn, how to crank the handle, and how to adjust the tension. He even let me try it out! It was surprisingly easy once you got the hang of it, although there’s definitely a learning curve.
The purchase
After playing around with both types, I decided to go with a small circular machine. It seemed like the best option for a beginner like me, and it was way more affordable than the fancy flatbed models. I also picked up some yarn – got some nice, soft merino wool. Can’t wait to get started on my first project!
Unpacking at home
When I got back, I cleared off my table and set up my new toy. It came with a little instruction booklet, which was actually pretty helpful. I managed to thread the yarn without too much trouble, and then it was time for the first crank! It was a little awkward at first, but I quickly got into a rhythm. The machine was making this satisfying clicking sound, and the yarn was turning into knitted fabric right before my eyes! It was like magic!
Making first project
I kept going, following the instructions to make a simple tube. It wasn’t perfect, of course. I dropped a few stitches here and there, and the tension was a bit uneven in places, but it was still a success! I had made something! With a machine! It was a small victory, but it felt amazing.
My thoughts for now
- First, finding a knitting machine took a little bit of effort, but it was totally worth it.
- Second, these things are so cool! It’s like having a mini textile factory on your desk.
- Third, I’m officially hooked. I can see myself spending many happy hours with my new machine, cranking out all sorts of knitted creations.
Stay tuned for more updates on my knitting machine adventures. I’m thinking a scarf is next on the agenda!
