Knitting Machine for Beginners (Your One Stop Guide to Knitting Basics)
Thinking of buying your own knitting machine this 2019 but confused about what to buy, how to use it and how to optimize your knitting resources? This guide is going to present a selection of different knitting machines and at the same time, equip you with the basics of knitting machines.
Hand Knitting vs. Machine Knitting: What Hand Knitters Should Know Before Buying a Knitting Machine
Talk about speed knitting and surely machine knitting comes to mind. If you are a hand knitter looking to make more knitted creations in less time, I am sure you have thought of buying a knitting machine.
The same goes for hand knitters who want to take their passion for knitting to the next level for charity. Or maybe it’s because you’ve developed a market for your handknits and want to turn a profit.
Any knitter can excel with a knitting machine if he or she takes a good look at every aspect of it because of course, even if you have years of hand knitting experience, Even then, you won’t be an instant master of knitting. device.
But with a little knowledge of some of the most commonly used home knitting machines and how they work, along with your creativity to improve some of your knitting designs, you’re sure to find the right choice for you. Knitting machines can excel in creating bespoke knitting projects.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hand Knitting and Machine Knitting (weighing the pros and cons between hand and machine knitting)
- As mentioned earlier, speed and efficiency are the number one advantage of knitting machines over hand knitting. Knitting machines have automatic features that can create your patterns in minutes while maintaining design consistency.
- The flexibility to change the design pattern in the middle of a knitting session can be done more easily with hand knitting than with machines.
- Intricate designs can be made both on knitting machines and by hand. However, if you are not really good at hand knitting, you can still make colorful dresses with intricate patterns with machine knitting.
- For larger projects, machine knitting is a great way to finish it up in a much faster time.
- You can be more creative with hand knitting. Knitting by hand is also a calming way to relieve stress and tension in your mind. Depending on the machine used, some knitting machines make loud noises while sewing.
Different yarns for different knitting machines
In hand knitting, the needle size or hook size for crocheting varies for different yarn sizes. Mainly 4 gauges are used for machine knitting. It covers everything from lace weight to heavy weight yarn. There are different types of knitting machines according to its gauges.
- Lace weight yarn: This is the lightest weight yarn that can be used for light weight items like thin dresses, doilies and shawls. It is not recommended for beginner knitters.
- Super Fine, Fine, Light Yarn: This yarn is a finger weight or sport weight yarn for making small items, such as baby hats, socks, scarves and small dresses.
- Medium weight yarn: Also known as worsted weight yarn or “Aran weight”.
- Big and bulky: Thicker needles are used to make this yarn. It is suitable for making heavy blankets, comforters, curtains and sweaters.
If you know these yarn sizes by heart, you can easily incorporate that knowledge into choosing the right yarn for your knitting machine.
Sport, fingering, heavy and worsted weight yarns can be used in knitting machines depending on the type of knitted material you want to produce. Never use larger yarn on a fine gauge knitting machine as it can definitely be wasted when your knitting carriage jams the yarn.
So, be careful to know what range of yarn you can use to avoid damaging your knitting machine.
Choosing the right knitting machine gauge
A gauge is used in both hand knitting and machine knitting to indicate the size of the yarn. It can be measured in two ways. In hand knitting, gauge is measured by counting stitches. In knitting machines, this is calculated by counting the number of needles over several inches divided by the number of inches in the width of the pattern.
Fine gauge machines
- Create a super fine yarn and lightweight knit fabric.
- The needles are spaced 3.6 mm apart on the knitting bed.
- Suitable for sport weight knitwear.
- Weaves the thinnest thread that one uses for everything from knitting laceweights to fingering heavy items.
- In a cylindrical knitting machine, it holds 200 very thin needles (1/50th of an inch thick).
- Ideal for business wear, casual wear and everyday use.
Standard gauge machines
- The needles are spaced 4.5 mm apart.
- It is a standard gauge machine that weaves commercial grade fibers.
- Knitters use this type of machine to make socks, gloves, baby weight yarn.
Mid gauge machines.
- Its needles are 6.5 mm apart.
- One of the most recommended knitting machines for hand knitters.
- A knitting machine designed to flexibly knit all types of yarn – from sport weights to light worsted yarns.
Heavy or chunky machines
- The coarsest and heaviest yarn is used for weaving.
- The needles are 9mm apart.
Express machines
- Highly recommended for beginners.
- It is smaller than those used to make large-scale knitwear, making it a portable type of machine.
Flat Bed Knitting Machines vs Circular Knitting Machines
Home knitting machines that anyone can easily learn as a beginner are flatbed knitting machines and circular knitting machines.
The difference between flat knitting and circular knitting is that in flat knitting the stitches are always made on the same side. This can make things more complicated when using a flatbed than a circular knitting machine because the same stitch (as seen from the right side) is produced by two different movements when knitted from the right and wrong side.
Thus, a knit stitch (as viewed from the right side) can be produced by a right-side knit stitch, or a wrong-side purl stitch. For this reason, the gauge of the machine needs to vary in alternating rows of stockinette fabrics. You can use different size needles to get it right.
Circular knit fabric has a gauge of 12 to 22. The higher the gauge, the thinner the fabric. Flat knit, on the other hand, is made with a machine that knits the fabric into sheets (or flats) and ranges from 2 to 10 gauge.
What is a flatbed knitting machine?
Flatbed knitting machine makes flat pieces. This is one of the most common knitting machines for boutique producers and hobbyists. hobbyists and boutique producers. Items made with flatbed knitting machines have side seams.
One thing about a flatbed is that it can’t possibly knit a round object like a circular knitting machine can. Also, you may not be able to do pearl stitches or garter stitch automatically.
Flatbed knitting machines are recommended for beginners.
Silver Red LK-100/LK150
These plastic bed machines are usually cheaper than metal bed types or larger machines. It also helps that you don’t have to make a lot of adjustments before using it. Plastic construction feels less intimidating to beginners than metal beds.
The Silver Red knitting machine is manufactured in Japan and is branded under Studio, Ampisel, Singer, and Knitmaster.
Newer versions of Silver Red knitting machines are easy to use even with difficult yarns. If your work can use threads, silver red knitting machines can also work with it. Samples of this machine are easily available.
Since they are not as adjustable as other machines, they are not as easily manipulated as other knitting machines. With this, customizing and having different and custom patterns is doable, but it takes a little practice.
SK 280 Automatic Punch Card Making Machine
This SK280 is a reliable knitting machine that will help you create beautiful sewing patterns for your clothes. With the 24-Stitch Punch Card Pattern Center, you can create a variety of stitch patterns such as knit, tuck, fairing and slip, to name a few.
Recommended for sports weight yarn, the standard gauge punch card machine has a 200 needle, 4.5 mm needle gauge. This single bed knitting machine has a metal bed made of stainless steel, and has a 24 stitch repeat pattern area.
Brother KX350
Another highly recommended flatbed knitting machine for beginners is the Brother KX350. It has a slightly smaller stitch width than the LK-100, but is much more versatile, according to its users. It provides a smooth operation and ease of use for beginners. The Brother KX350 features a cast-on comb and has a wider gauge than the standard. This makes this knitting machine a choice for easy knitting. Even with these different features, the weave quality is commendable as it creates tight stitches.
What is a circular knitting machine?
In circular knitting, the machine weaves the fabric in a tubular manner. The weight is usually light and the fabric is thin. A circular knit is made by a machine that knits the fabric into a continuous circle (tube). The weight is “light”. The fabric is thin. There are many things you can make with a circular knitting machine as a beginner.
Circular knitting machines are recommended for beginners.
#1 Addi Express
The Adi Express is one of the most popular domestic circular knitting machines ever invented. It makes cylindrical garments like socks, gloves, mittens, and more. It is so easy to use that any beginner, with practice, can learn to knit with it. When you do this, you can create stunning creations in minutes to hours.
There are two variants of Addi Express: Addi Express Professional and Addi Express King.
Adi Express Professional
Adi Express Professional is a small circular knitting Adi Express with 22 needles for knitting circular knitted products. You can be able to knit small-diameter pieces in minutes. You can also create elaborate items when you stitch the pattern together. All Adi knitting needles are manufactured in exact metric sizes.
Features
- Needle diameter is 10-15cm (4″-6″). Knitted items can be about 15 to 20 cm (6″ to 8″) wide.
- Recommended yarn thickness is between 3.5 – 8mm.
what’s in the box
Inside the package, you will find the express knitting machine, stoppers and pattern book.
What can you create with Adi Express Pro?
Here are examples of what you can create with Adi Express Pro:
- socks
- Lover hats
- Tight scarf
- Mits
- Fingerless gloves
- Cozies
- Gathered Afghans.
- Piece the baby sweater together.
1. Addi Express King
The Adi Express King is larger than the Adi Pro with 46 needles. It can obviously create larger objects. The addi-Express “Kingsize” model is mounted on a table and stays securely in position. The yarns used can be 3-8 cm.
Features
- Circular knitting – 35 cm.
- Flat knitting – 45 cm.
What’s in the box?
Not only does Adi offer the Express Machine in original and king sizes, but stoppers and pattern books are also available. Contains 46 needles, a needle holder, a reduction needle, 5 replacement needles, 4 base feet, 2 screw hooks for stable table mounting, digital row counter with a memory function.
How Addi Express Machine Works
How it works is very simple. Just crank the handle attached to the circular knitting machine and you will be able to knit with it. Of course, to handle it easily, you need to know more about its usage. There is a lot of information on the Internet about using Eddy Express and many tutorials on how to make socks, scarves, hats, mitts with Eddy.
Where can you buy an Adi Express machine?
You can buy Adi Express machines from anywhere. Here are just a few suggestions of places that I know have a good reputation and great service.
2. Prym Knitting Machine
Prym Knitting Machine is a semi-automatic knitting machine perfect for making knitted tubes with a stitch count of 44 stitches for circular knitting. Even stitches are produced when the correct thread guidance and tension tool are secured for ideal wool thread tension.
This Prym Knitting Machine can use a variety of hand knitted yarns. It’s also very easy to change colors as you build. You can easily change the thickness of the wool by simply adjusting the thread tension.
Be careful not to use too thin a thread except when using the mini version, as the knitting may look like it has too many dents.
Also, start slowly with a long piece of thread as described below, otherwise the machine will drop stitches. If you’re a beginner, you might think the machine is defective and want to throw it away. Be patient, work slowly at first and pull the wool down until you can add weight to your work.
The different types of Prym Knitting Mill are Prym Knitting Maxi, Prym Knitting MIDI and Prym Knitting Mini.
Prym Knitting Mill Maxi
As its name suggests, Maxi Premium is the largest knitting mill in the line. You can easily make scarves, pillows and hats. This knitting machine includes a knitting mill, crank, mode switch, yarn guide, tension piece, handle, plastic needle, legs and instructions. It works well with most yarns and can also be hand knitted.
Foam-backed nylon covering allows for easy pinning and marking.
Can also do the purl stitch.
Replacement needles are also available in its package.
Features of Prym Knitting Machine
- Dimensions: 16 x 8 x 6 cm.
- Similar to a knitting dolly but includes a handle so you can make tubes in no time.
Prym Knitting Mill MIDI
- The number of stitches: 20 when knitted in a round, 16 when knitted flat.
- 0,22 lb wool with a length of 459 yards is knitted in less than 15 minutes.
- Knits panel with a width of 4,7 inches, knits tube with a die. 2,35″ Dimensions: H8,3″ x W8,3″ x D10,2″
When you start knitting on your Prym Knitting Mill (Any), drop a long strand of yarn in the middle of the mill so that you can hold it underneath and put tension on it as it passes through the mill.
This knitting machine works well with all yarns suitable for hand knitting except very fine yarns, (pin size 2-6). Please note that different types of yarn may require different tension, to create a loose knit feed fine yarn through all slots of the tension piece. Chunky and irregular threads work well if fed through only a few slots of the tension piece for tension.
Prym Knitting Mill MINI
This Prym Knitting Machine is a really small version of the above and can only do 4 stitches at a time. It is also perfect for making cords for decorative purposes or making into circular mats.
This is much faster than doing it manually and you can quickly connect cords for any project you want.
How it works
Even absolute beginners can knit with the Prym circular knitting machine. You just need to follow the instruction manual on how to assemble it. Basically, you will need to turn on the handle and start casting.
Watch as your creation rolls out of the mill base. The Prym knitting machine works in the air and the yarn comes out from the bottom. It does not need to be mounted on a flat surface like some other machines of this type.
Where can you buy a prem knitting mill?
You can buy prems at the Amazon Arts, Crafts, and Sewing store. It is also available on eBay, Empress Mill and Hague Direct.
3. Singer knitting machine
The Singer Knitting Machine is the perfect machine for absolute beginners such as crafting kids. These circular knitting machines come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and types. It is designed for knitting yarn of almost any type or weight.
The Singer is not as popular and in demand as other circular machines such as the Adi, but it has some features that make it extremely valuable to serious makers.
Singer knitting machines and attachments are readily available for almost any yarn weight and style so working with difficult yarns such as ribbon yarn, lace yarn and even chunky yarns that sometimes cause problems on knitting machines. . With this machine, you can make scarves hats shoulder bags socks arm warmers and more.
Features
- The machine measures 8 inches by 10 inches by 4 inches.
- Create a flat or circular stitch in seconds.
How it works
This machine creates a flat or circular stitch in seconds with a simple turn of the handle.
What’s in the box?
The package includes a knitting machine, 2 skeins of fin fur yarn – purple and pink yarn needle and a do-it-yourself project booklet.
How much time do you spend knitting?
People are so busy right now that most of the hobbies we do are done with very little free time. If you only knit once a week or very infrequently, I recommend starting with inexpensive knitting patterns like Singer. Once you develop such a deep sense of passion and passion for knitting that you decide to knit more, you may want to invest in top-of-the-line knitting machines. Most knitters collect these knitting machines and try each one.
What creations are you planning to make?
If your quest is to donate to charity or make knitting a profitable hobby, I would recommend Addi Express. It is more expensive but has a strong reputation among avid knitters. Flatbeds recommended above can also be used. If you want, you can also look at metal weaving machines.
How much do you want to invest?
By now you know how knitting can be a very expensive investment or an inexpensive pastime. Flatbeds are more expensive than circular knitting machines, but some knitters prefer them depending on the type of fabric they want to produce. From the circular machines side, Addi is the most expensive, but the most sought after due to quality and durability. If you want a cheaper alternative, you can try the Prym or Singer models.
Wrapping up
When you’re sourcing for the best knitting machine out there, it really boils down to what you want to get and what your budget is. Many knitters prefer to try out different home knitting machines and write their reviews on each one. Plastic hobby knitting machines have become popular with beginners because they are so easy to use.
If you’re looking for your first machine to try, the flatbed and circular knitting machines I’ve recommended above are great to choose from as they’re top recommendations, especially for beginners. .
However, if you are looking for something like industrial metal knitting machines, you can always find used knitting machines on eBay. If you want to buy new at an affordable price, Cintelli offers circular knitting machines.
Keep in mind that these machines are meant to make large quantities of garments in a day and are used for bulk garment orders. They are very heavy and take up a lot of space. But if you want to build your own textile industry then it is a great investment.
