How to Select a Knitting Machine

A knitting machine, sometimes called a knitting loom or knitting frame, constructs knitted fabrics. Patterns can be stitched into the fabric by using punch cards, a computer, or by manipulating the needles by hand. A knitting machine can be a viable alternative to knitting by hand. While hand knitting involves two needles creating stitches one by one, a knitting machine is faster because it knits an entire row in one movement.

Instructions

How to Select the Best Knitting Machine for You

1. Ask yourself what kind of sweaters or other knitted garments you are attracted to when you shop for clothing. Determine whether you prefer lacy and delicate textures or big and bulky.

2. Determine whether you want to hand knit as well as use a machine, or would rather stick with finer-gauge garments that more often come from a knitting machine.

3. Familiarize yourself with the different types of machines, which produce different types of knit fabrics. There are bulky machines, standard beds, and mid-gauge models. Angelica's Yarn Store offers definitions (see Resources below).

4. Familiarize yourself with the various machine mechanisms. For example, there are hand-manipulated, motorized and computerized machines. Visit Allbrands for a complete list (see Resources below).

5. Decide on the type of machine you would prefer to use.

6. Decide how much you want to spend on a knitting machine and stick to your budget.

7. Select a knowledgeable dealer who is active in knitting.

8. Select a knitting machine that fits your budget and preferences.

Tips & Warnings

• Because knitting machines can look intimidating at first, consider signing up for lessons.

• Realize that hand knitting and machine knitting produce different types of fabrics. While machine knitting generally produces a more even fabric than hand knitting, some types of stitches are easier to make during hand knitting, such as the garter stitch.

• Once you have purchased a machine, learn how to clean it. Proper cleaning will prolong the machine's life and enhance its efficiency.

• Educate yourself before purchasing your knitting machine. Otherwise, you could be investing too much money in a product that is not right for you.

• If you are shopping for a used machine, get to know the people selling them. For instance, you might want to know whether they are knowledgeable knitters themselves. The machine will be used more than one owned by an amateur, but may also be better maintained.

• If you are considering a computer knitting machine, realize that there is software to purchase, which will involve more cost on your part.

Resources

• Angelika's Yarn Store for information on knitting machine models
• Allbrands list of types of knitting machines