Well now, if y’all been wantin’ to know ’bout them Silver Reed knittin’ machines, let me tell ya, them things is somethin’ else! Ain’t no fancy machines like them, I’ll tell ya that much. They been around for a long time, comin’ all the way from China, though some folks might remember ’em by the names Studio or Singer. But Silver Reed is the real deal, I reckon. They been makin’ these machines for years, and let me tell ya, they still makin’ ’em today! One of the few flat bed knittin’ machines still out there, too. Now that’s somethin’ to say, ain’t it?
These Silver Reed machines come in different types, dependin’ on what you need. They got the electronic ones, the punchcard ones, and even the manual ones. Whatever you fancy, they got it. They been offerin’ a few different gauges over the years, and the most common one you’ll see is the standard gauge, that’s 4.5mm. Some folks might like the chunky ones for thicker yarns, but most folks around here go for the standard gauge if they want somethin’ that’s a good balance.
Now, I remember when Silver Reed started out in Mitcham, Surrey. That was a long time ago. Then they moved to Bedford in 1999, and I reckon by 2001, they had to move again, all the way to Rushden, Northamptonshire. And, by 2018, they had to move again to Higham Ferrers! Seems like they’ve been growin’ and movin’ around, don’t it? I guess that shows how popular them machines really are.
But I gotta tell ya, not all them companies made it. Some of them machines wasn’t as easy to use as folks thought, and a lotta folks just couldn’t figure out how to work ‘em right. Now, a lotta people think just ‘cause them machines is old, they must be worth a lot. But that ain’t always the case! ‘Cause a lotta times, them old machines ain’t got all the parts they need—like the instruction books and accessories. So if you’re not a collector or somethin’, don’t go thinkin’ you can sell one of them for a big price.
When it comes to the yarn you’ll be usin’ on them machines, let me tell ya, acrylic yarn is one of the best choices for machine knittin’. It’s light, it’s smooth, and it’ll last a long time. Plus, it won’t break the bank like some of them other yarns. Ain’t no shame in usin’ acrylic! You can make all sorts of things with it—hats, scarves, blankets, you name it. Some of the popular brands of acrylic yarn are Red Heart Super Saver and Lion Brand Basic Stitch. I tell ya, if you can get your hands on some of that, you’ll be all set to go!
Now, if you’re lookin’ for specific models of these Silver Reed knittin’ machines, you got a few to choose from. They got the SK280 and the SK840, both of ‘em bein’ standard gauge machines. The SK840 is a real workhorse—it’s got 200 needles, and you can even get it with optional electronics. It’s one of the higher-end models, but don’t let that scare ya off. If you want somethin’ that’ll get the job done, it’s a good one to look at.
And don’t forget ‘bout the SK155 Chunky model. This one’s for when you want to knit a thicker, cozier fabric. You can get about 3 to 4.5 stitches per inch with this one, so it’s perfect if you want to make a hand-knitted look, but with the speed of a machine. It’s got a 12-stitch punchcard, too, which lets you do all sorts of fancy patterns automatic-like. Makes the whole process so much easier, don’t it?
So, whether you’re a beginner just startin’ out, or you been knittin’ for years, them Silver Reed machines can do it all. You just gotta figure out which one’s right for ya. They last a long time, and if you take care of ‘em, you can make beautiful things for years to come. Just be sure to check if you got all the parts and accessories you need, ‘cause sometimes people sell ’em without all that stuff. Don’t let nobody fool ya into thinkin’ they’re worth more than they really are.
And remember, if you’re gonna use one of these machines, be sure to get yourself some good yarn, like acrylic, and you’ll be makin’ hats, scarves, and blankets in no time. It’s all about what works best for you, and if you’re patient, you’ll be makin’ some real fine pieces of knittin’!
Tags：[Silver Reed Knitting Machine, knitting, standard gauge knitting machine, punchcard knitting, machine knitting, acrylic yarn, SK280, SK840, SK155 Chunky, knitting accessories, knitting tips]
