Should I buy a knitting machine?

Industrial knitting machines have been used by knitwear manufacturers in the fashion industry for years as a quick way to make the mass-produced knitted clothes that are available from high-street shops. Independent maker designers also use knitting machines to create products like scarves, clothing and interior items like knitted cushions in a much more efficient way.

Knitting machines are different to hand knitting and if you can already knit by hand, it’s worth knowing that machines work differently so it might take a little time to adjust. Alternatively, if you haven’t done hand knitting before and go straight onto a machine, you will still need to learn how to knit with hand needles for that method.

Different types of knitting machines

There are two main types of non-industrial knitting machines used by crafters and hobbyists. The most popular is the circular knitting machine. Circular knitting machines are lightweight, made of plastic and typically have 48 needles. They have two settings on them allowing you to knit in the round to make hats and socks or panels like scarves. You can also join panels together to make a garment like a jumper.

Flatbed knitting machines are rectangular and are similar to how an industrial machine works but they’re lighter and easy to store at home. They’re more expensive than circular knitting machines and are likely to be used and owned by knitting professionals. They’re ideal for making larger garments.

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When to do Hand Knitting and When to Use a Knitting Machine

Doing handknit projects is a luxury for the hand. You can do handknitting if you’re making a special gift on a one-on-one project basis.

On the other hand, you can use a knitting machine when you want to knit faster than by what you can do with your hand. A knitting machine or circular knitting machine is an equipment used in creating knitted fabrics and apparel. You can use this when knitting for charity, giveaways or if you plan to knit for profit.

What you need to get started with a knitting machine

First of all, you’ll need to choose your machine. If you're new to knitting machines, it's best to start with a circular machine to see if you enjoy using it before investing in a larger, more expensive flatbed machine.

The cheapest knitting machines are for children and they cost between £30 and £40. Adults' machines have more needles than children's models. The needles determine the width of what you can knit, so if you're making adult size garments you'll want a model with more needles.

If you are keen to purchase a flatbed knitting machine they vary in price from £500 to machines that cost over £1000. The price typically reflects the materials used, cheaper ones may be made from plastic and more expensive ones from metal. Gauge size may vary too so consider what type of knitting you'll be doing, fine knits or thick knits as this will influence which model you buy.

You’ll also need your yarn and a knitting pattern. If you have a circle machine, you can knit a wide range of accessories like hats and gloves. If you have a flatbed knitting machine which can take thicker yarns you'll be able to use a wider range of patterns including clothes and larger blankets.

Getting started with a knitting machine

Yarns

The best type of yarn for a knitting machine is regular DK yarn. 4-ply works best or other lightweight yarns. Avoid chunky yarns as they won’t work with regular knitting machines and may cause problems like getting stuck.

Knitting patterns

You can get specific books and patterns designed especially for knitting machines but you can also use a hand knitting pattern and convert it to a knitting machine pattern. The most important thing is always make a test square to work out your tension and adjust the pattern accordingly.

Setting up your machine

Depending on whether you have a flat bed or a round knitting machine the set-up will be different. It’s best to follow the instructions that come with the manual for your brand of machine.

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