I have to say, knitting has always been a hobby of mine, but man, can it be time-consuming! Even the simplest things I want to make, like a basic scarf or a pair of socks, end up taking days to finish. I kept thinking, there has to be a better way, right? Then I stumbled upon something called a circular knitting machine, and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer. This thing, the Addi King Size Circular Knitting Machine, it’s pretty much taken over my knitting life, in a good way!
Getting Started
So, first things first, I had to actually get my hands on one of these machines. Turns out, there are a couple of different types of Addi knitting machines – the Addi Express Professional and the Addi Express King Size. I went for the King Size one because, well, bigger is better, right? It’s got 46 needles, which means I can make bigger stuff with it. Once I ordered the right one, and it finally arrived at my doorstep, I was like a kid at Christmas. Ripped open the box and set that thing up on my crafting table. It looked intimidating at first, all those needles and cranks, but I was determined.
Learning Curve
- The first thing I did was read through the instruction manual. It was actually pretty straightforward.
- Then I watched some videos online. There are tons of tutorials out there, showing you how to set up the machine, cast on, knit in the round, make flat panels, and bind off.
- It took a few tries to get the hang of it, I won’t lie. There were some dropped stitches, some uneven tension, the usual beginner stuff. But I kept at it.
First Projects
Once I felt like I had a decent grasp on the basics, I decided to start with something simple. A hat, I think it’s called a “toque” in some places. And holy cow, it was fast! I couldn’t believe how quickly the machine worked through the yarn. In less than an hour, I had a finished hat. It was amazing. After the hat, I moved on to a scarf, then a pair of socks, some baby blankets, and I have even started to figure out how to make sweaters. The machine just flies through the yarn, and before you know it, you have a finished project in your hands.
Addi vs. Sentro
I did hear about another brand called Sentro, which is also a circular knitting machine. But after doing some digging, it seemed like the Addi was the way to go. From what I gathered, the Addi is built to last. It’s sturdier, and both the 46 and 22 pin versions come with row counters, which is super helpful. The Sentro, from what I read, only has a row counter on the 48 pin model, and even then, it has a reputation for breaking easily. Plus, the Addi just seemed to have better reviews overall. People were saying it’s more reliable, less likely to drop stitches, and just produces a better quality knit fabric. So, I figured, might as well invest in something that’s going to last, right?
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Addi King Size Circular Knitting Machine has been a total game-changer for me. It’s made knitting so much faster and more efficient. I can whip up projects in a fraction of the time it used to take me. Sure, it’s a bit of an investment upfront, and there’s definitely a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it’s so worth it. I can now spend more time designing and trying out new patterns, and less time just mindlessly knitting for hours on end. If you are like me and into knitting but wish it didn’t take so long, you have got to check this thing out. It is a whole new world. I can not recommend the Addi King Size enough.
