Alright, let’s talk about this knitting machine I got my hands on. It’s the Addi Express, the smaller one with 22 needles. I was pretty stoked to try it out, figured it’d be a fun little project.
Getting Started
First thing I did was unpack the box. Inside, there’s the machine itself, some legs to prop it up, a clamp to secure it to a table, and a few other bits and pieces. I set it up on my table and clamped it down. It’s kinda cool looking, all colorful and whatnot. I also made sure I had some yarn on hand. This machine is suitable for most yarns and can make circular and flat-knit pieces. I chose a thicker yarn to make a scarf, so I opted for a flat-knit.
Casting On
Casting on was a bit tricky at first, ngl. You gotta follow the instructions carefully. Basically, I started with the yarn in front of the first needle, then I skipped the next one and wrapped the yarn behind it. Kept going like that, alternating needles. Once I got around, I had to make sure the yarn caught properly.
Cranking Away
After casting on, I just started cranking the handle. It was surprisingly smooth! The machine just starts knitting away, making this tube-like fabric. I just kept cranking, watching it go. It felt pretty satisfying, actually, seeing the fabric grow.
Getting the Hang of It
I did run into a few snags. Sometimes, a stitch would drop, and I’d have to go back and fix it. It was a bit of a pain, but I got the hang of it after a while. I also realized that the tension of the yarn really matters. If it’s too loose or too tight, it can mess things up.
Finishing Up
Once I got the length I wanted, it was time to cast off. This was another tricky part. I had to use a tapestry needle to basically sew off each stitch. It took some time, but I managed to do it without unraveling the whole thing. A few YouTube tutorials later and a bit more practice, I was able to cast off without a problem. It’s just a matter of getting used to it. Once you get the hand of it, it gets easier, promise.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’d say this little knitting machine is pretty cool. It’s definitely faster than knitting by hand, and it’s kind of fun to use. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get past that, it’s smooth sailing. I actually made a hat with it and I’m stoked about that. I’m definitely gonna keep using this thing and see what else I can make.
- Pros: Fast, fun, relatively easy to use after some practice.
- Cons: Casting on and off can be tricky, tension is important, and dropped stitches are a pain.
So yeah, that’s my experience with the Addi Express 22 needle knitting machine. Hope this was helpful!
