Types of Knitting Machines
There are two types of home knitting machines, but they come in a variety of styles and capabilities. Depending on what your project is will determine which machine is best suited for you. Knitting machines types vary from fully manual all the way to automatic.
Flatbed Knitting Machines
Flatbed knitting machines has the widest variety of styles and options. This is the most common type of home knitting machine. The needles are all located in a straight line on the machine to complete rows by running the carriage back and forth across the machine bed.
Gauges
Flatbed machines come in three different gauges. Each gauge has a range of yarn thickness it can work with.
- Standard Gauge for lightweight yarns to sport weight yarns
- Mid-Gauge for sport weight yarns to worsted weight yarns
- Bulky Gauge for worsted weight yarns to heavier weight yarns
Styles
Flatbed machines are available in numerous styles from fully manual basic to automatic.
Basic
An example of a very basic flatbed machine is the Ultimate Sweater Machine that was once an “As Seen on TV” product. You can use it for a variety of basic knit items and there are many videos online with tips and tricks to create more advanced projects with it.
Moderate
Another example is the very popular bulky gauge Brother KH260 and it is more advanced knitting machine, but about in the middle of the pack as it has no electronics built in. It has a punch card reader built in that can automatically pattern 2 color stitch patterns and vary between stitch types for texture patterns. There are also accessories available for the machine such as a ribber and an intarsia carriage. This is the machine I use the most.
Advanced
There is a wide variety of electronic machines and many of them can be connected to your computer to upload your own designs using Design-A-Knit software. They also have accessories such as a ribber and a garter carriage which can fully automate the machine bed.
Circular Knitting Machines
Circular knitting machines are sometimes called circular sock machines or CSMs, but can be used for numerous other projects. Like flatbed machines, there are different gauges. The gauge is determined by the size of the cylinder holding the needles and its spacing. You operate the machine by turning a crank that spins the cylinder of needles.
Basic
Basic circular machines are quite inexpensive and made of plastic with few features and options. One benefit of the plastic machines is there are videos online on how to modify them to be operated with a power drill for speed knitting.
Moderate
The most popular circular knitting machine brand still in production is the Addi Express. They are manufactured in Germany and come in three different sizes and various accessories. They are mostly plastic, but very versatile.
Advanced
Antique circular machines are made of metal and are much more versatile and cost a lot more than their plastic counterparts. These machines can also be used with a ribber. With the growing popularity in home knitting machines, people are starting to recreate these antique machines with 3-D printers. I have found one company that still manufactures the metal machines, but last I checked the waiting list was two years out.
What Machine Should I Get?
Which machine you should get will depend on how serious you are about getting into machine knitting, your budget, and what you plan on creating with it. If you have a 3D printer and you have good engineering skills, you can print and assemble your own circular machine.
Machines range from $25 for the plastic basic ones (both circular and flatbed) when bought secondhand up to over $2000 for the more complex machines. Facebook marketplace and Craigslist are a good starting point for finding used flatbed machines and antique circular machines in your area.
There is a learning curve to using a knitting machine, but basic operation of them is pretty straightforward. Check out these videos for beginners at The Knitting School. This is where I learned many different ways to cast on.
Maintenance depends on the machine you choose. Most flatbed machines will need oiling, sponge bar and needle replacements. There are instructional videos online on how to do routine machine maintenance.
For repairs, you can check with local knitting groups in your area for repair shops in your area, or if you are a handy type of person you can check out Jack’s videos on how to troubleshoot and repair your machine yourself. I have learned a lot from his videos.
You do not have to buy a circular machine to knit socks. To make socks in the round, you will need a circular machine, but you can make seamed socks on a flatbed machine.
I was a gifted a basic knitting machine by my aunt. After learning how to use it, I wanted to do more. Now I have 9 machines. They are all flatbed machines and range from the Ultimate Sweater Machine up to an electronic machine. I hope to soon try my hand at circular knitting machine. I am currently in the process of 3D printing a CSM.