Knitting Machines – Complete Guide + Best Electronic Options

Knitting is one of the most therapeutic hobbies that anyone can have. If you’re searching for a knitting machine that you can use for your new hobby, we’re here to guide you. From using the machine to learning about various knitting styles, you will find everything here in this article.

Machine Knitting vs Hand Knitting

If you’re an avid knitter and you want to lessen the time you spend in just one knitting session, you have probably thought about getting a knitting machine. Speed is one main advantage when you use a machine, which is exactly what every knitter would love to have especially if they are doing knitting as a livelihood.

Other people love knitting so much that they even give their creations to their preferred charities. There are also hand knitters who have expanded their well-crafted knitted goods into earning some profit.

If you’re doing a lot of knitted stuff lately, you surely would want your tedious and time-consuming hand knitting into machine knitting. A well-experienced hand knitter would have to spend time practising using a machine knitter.

Advantages of Machine Knitting

Two factors that you should take into consideration when choosing machine knitting is efficiency and speed. Unlike manual knitting, you can finish complex knitting techniques in just a few minutes. There are also automatic knitting machines which allow you to make your own patterns.

It is highly recommended to knit using machines for projects that require a lot of knitted outputs. Complex designs that you thought only hand knitting could do can also be developed when using a knitting machine. You can also create garments full of colors using a machine even when you’re not an expert in hand knitting.

Advantages of Hand Knitting

It was true when we said that kand knitting is a therapeutic hobby. It relieves tension, stress, and is also an effective way to calm your mind. Unlike machine knitting, you always have control over your creations.

You always have the flexibility to change your designs and patterns from simple to complex ones, which will be hard for a machine to do. Also, some knitting machines can be very loud and noisy when stitching, which is one of the main downsides of knitting in machines.

Types of Knitting Machines

Small-scale knitted garment owners and crafters often use a flatbed machine. When using a flat knitting machine, always remember that knitting inside the round is not possible. Knitted items using this machine also feature side seams. This machine is mainly used to create only flat pieces.

There are various types of knitting machines, you can either have an electronic knitting machine, a manual machine, or a punch card one. You can create sweaters, scarves, trimmed fabrics, and other regular knitted items. 

Here are some other knitting machine variations that you can use for your hobby:

• Circular: Machine used to make a circular type of garments such as hats and cowls by knitting in a round manner
• Fine gauge: Can produce lightweight and fine fabrics using the thinnest yarn threads
• Standard gauge: Usually used for fine, multi-colored fabrics
• Mid gauge: best for people who are used to hand knitting
• Bulky gauge: best for knitting with the thickest set of machine knitting yarns
• Single bed: Comes with a flatbed to create jerseys or stockings
• V-bed: Features two beds to create flat knitting and tube knitting

The Best Knitting Machines: Our Top Picks

Using knitting machines can help you save a lot of your time spent while knitting. We have listed down the best knitting machines that you can purchase, which are perfect for beginners, so feel free to check out our knitting machine reviews below:

Addi Express Knitting Machine

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With the Addi Express Knitting Machine’s 22 needles, you’ll be able to create all the knitted ideas on your mind. It can knit circular items efficiently without taking so much of your time. This knitting machine also allows you to make your knitted things become wider. Many customers claim that you can knit as fast as the lightning with this machine.

From scarves, mittens, gloves to sweaters and gloves for babies, this knitting machine will help you create anything you think about. When using the Addi Express Knitting Machine, it is recommended to create small garments like that of babies and pets.

You always have to be careful of the yarn that you would be using with this digital knitting machine. Cotton and stiff yarns can be hard to deal with when using this yarn machine. When you are creating rows, it can be tough to get clean and neat edges, so take extra time in clearing the edges out manually.

• Includes 22 needles for plain and circular creations
• Suitable for various types of yarns
• User-friendly
• Manufactured in Germany
• Comes with a lifetime warranty

Kacsoo 48 Needles Knitting Machine

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Make every weaving and knitting experience more fun when you use the Kacsoo 48 Needles Knitting Machine. Just as the name says, this is a 48 pin knitting machine, making you work more efficiently on your craft. This machine will improve your hand and eye coordination as well as your knitting skills.

This home knitting machine is very easy to use, especially for beginners. All you need to do is insert your yarn through the spindle, and then start turning the crank in order to create your own clothing or accessories.

If you’re interested in knowing what you can create with this machine, well, you can create fashion accessories and clothing like socks, scarves, leg warmers, hats, and even yarn earrings. Simply put, this is a great blanket knitting machine that you can use for a wide range of applications.

• User-friendly knitting machine for beginners
• Comes in 48 needles for more efficiency
• With a plain or tube weaving conversion key
• One-button feature for conversion
• Underwent rigorous quality testing

Addi Express Kingsize Extended Starter Kit (new version)

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Every one of us wants to get the most out of what we pay for. The Addi Express Kingsize Extended Starter Kit is one of the best selling knitting machines for its price. If you want to expand your craft to bigger items like blankets, sweaters, and jumpers, this can be your go-to knitting machine for a more efficient workflow.

What we love best about this knitting machine is that it comes with enough yarn for you to start your first project. You will also get a free book full of detail and different techniques for your knitting sessions.

You can save hours and hours of hand knitting when you switch to the Addi Express Kingsize Extended Starter Kit. With 46 needles, this machine will help you finish any knitting project in no time compared to the original model.

• Excellent materials are used from Germany
• Easy to set up, user-friendly for beginners
• Fast knitting methods even for complex designs
• Comes with a new mechanical row counter
• Low-cost machine with many features
• Machine can create panels

FYGAIN 22 Needles Smart Knitting Round Loom

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Are you looking for a kids knitting machine? We give you the FYGAIN 22 Needles Smart Knitting Round Loom for your kiddo. Your children will surely enjoy knitting their own socks and hats, and knitting can also improve their hand and eye coordination. It also is a practical hobby since your kids will learn how to do a new craft at home.

This loom knitting machine is manufactured using superior quality plastic so it delivers no bad small. Even if it’s plastic, this machine is tough and durable to use even for a long time. Your kids will surely enjoy creating gifts for their friends using their cute knitting machine. Knitting, the hobby that you have always been fond of can now be enjoyed by your kids too.

Within seconds, your kids can have round or flat stitches with the help of this machine. All you need to do is help them insert the yarn on the spindle, and off your kids go knitting. Pretty fashion accessories can now be created using your children’s tiny and crafty hands.

• Comes with complete knitting materials
• With free yarns in random colors
• Comes with a user manual on how to use a knitting machine
• With 30-day free return guarantee
• Suitable for yarns with 1mm to 3mm measurement

Also check out: the best sewing machine for kids

NKOK Singer Knitting Machine

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If you’re looking for a manual knitting machine, you can check out the NKOK Singer Knitting Machine. It is not powered by a battery like the rest of the machines we have reviewed. All you need to do is to loop a yarn through this machine and turn the crank, and start knitting. Young children can even operate this simple hand crank knitting machine.

The NKOK Singer Knitting Machine is very lightweight so you can bring it anywhere around the house. It has a dimension of 5.8” by 11” by 8.5” so it won’t be taking up too much space at your homes too.

This hand knitting machine is made for young knitters who want to try out a new hobby. Children won’t have a hard time using the machine since it is only hand operated. However, they might still need your help in putting the yarn on the machine.

• Portable and lightweight design
• Simple operation
• Easy installation
• Can be used by beginners and children

Related read: the best embroidery machine for beginners

How To Find The Best Knitting Machine

With tons of brands of knitting machines that you can see in the market, it can be somewhat difficult to choose one. If you haven’t used one before, looking for the perfect machine for your knitting hobby can be tedious. Don’t worry, we have listed the things you need to consider before buying a knitting machine.

Frequency of Use

The first thing to think about is how frequently you would be using your machine. If you’re just knitting for a hobby and you’re going to use the machine one to thrice a week, you should go for affordable brands like Singer. 

You can always upgrade to a higher and more expensive knitting machine if you have decided to go extra with knitting. Whether you want to create a knitted clothing line, or you just want to knit more, you can now invest in high-end machines so you can have a better knitting experience every time.

Types of Crafts

You also have to consider what type of crafts you would want to create. If you are aspiring to run a knitting business, we recommend that you go with the Addi Express brand. This brand has the best reputation for high-end machines for knitting. You may also check out some metal knitting machines and see which one will suit your preference.

Spending Budget

After all that we have talked about, you are probably thinking that knitting is either expensive or affordable depending on your machine. As an overview, remember that choosing flatbed machines can be pricier than circular machines. After all, your choice will always depend on what type of craft that you will be knitting.

Bonus: How to get started with knitting

Even while waiting for your new knitting machine, you can get started with your very first knitting project by following these easy steps:

1. Understand your yarns and other knitting stuff.
2. Grab your supplies – long knitting needles, yarn, crochet hook, and scissors.
3. Cast on by making loops on your needle either via knit or wrap casting on.
4. Begin knitting your first row… and then the second row.
5. Bind your work off, pull tight, and weave the ends.

That’s it! Easy, no?

Final Thoughts

Budget and the type of craft are the two most important factors to consider when choosing the best knitting machine for your hobby. If you’re just starting out on your knitting journey, then you can start with local machines for knitting. There are also plastic-made knitting machines that have grown popular because of its ease of use.

If this is your first time buying a knitting machine, we have given you the reference on a different flatbed and circular machines for knitting that you can use. We have hand-picked the models that are perfect for beginners, so you won’t have a hard time figuring out how to make the machine work.