Should I buy a knitting machine?

[AIMGA]

Well.... should DH buy me one for Christmas

I'm a novice knitter & have three DC all at home full time and really don't have the time/energy right now to spend forever knitting a jumper but I really want to wear a knitted jumper that I've made. Would love to make the DC some bits & maybe a few gifts for others.

How simple is it? Do I have to just use special machine knitting patterns or can any pattern work?

Was looking at something like this www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00AVXAHNQ/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Thanks!

[FlaviaAlbia]

My DM has an old Bond one that looks very similar. It is handy to quickly knit up the plain backs of jumpers and sleeves and it can do cables but it can be a bit fiddly to do any kind of color change for intarsia or fairisle patterns. I find it quicker to do any patterns by hand.

I'm not sure how much help that is. I'm not sure I'd spend £350 on one when you could buy so much lovely wool for the same. Saying that, my DM's has been going for about 35 years, so over time it's probably saved her weeks of work.

[AIMGA]

Thank you!

These are the sort of things that I would love to make - www.yarntelier.com/

By your description it sounds like that would be very difficult on a knitting machine!

I'm only really skilled enough for a basic scarf so I think I will have to keep trundling on with my scarves till the DC are a little older.

[FlaviaAlbia]

Oh they are beautiful! I think that they would be very difficult to do on a machine though. I'm seeing my mum later though, I'll ask her as she has far more patience with her machine than I do.

If it's any use, here's a link to all the finished projects on Ravelry that have been machine knitted, it might give you a better idea of what's possible

www.ravelry.com/projects/search#view=thumbs&craft=machine-knitting&sort=completed

Some of them will be done on the circular knitting machines like the socks but the jumpers and scarfs are all probably done on ones like you're looking at.

Its possible to knit a bit then pick the stitches up on a needle to do lacy edging but it would be tricky if it wasn't a flat edge iyswim.

[FlaviaAlbia]

I've asked my DM and she said that you can do lace on her bond machine but it's very time consuming and it would be quicker to just knit it.

[AIMGA]

Ah thanks so much Flavia, I think I may just try and keep plodding on with my hand knitting. My next step after finishing DDs plain scarf is a plain shawl...baby steps

Think you have saved me £300!!

[crikeycrumbsblimey]

Have you tried to get in second hand? Knitting machines are big and you find people downsize and need to get rid of them (like pianos).

My mums has been sat at the end of her bed for 10 years. She make some great jumpers and stuff though.

Memories of the knitting machine shows in the 80s with everyone wearing their knitted suits....

[LaurieFairyCake]

Is it possible to make scarves on a knitting machine - I’m not good enough to make jumpers

[FlaviaAlbia]

I just realised I never replied to your last post AIMGA sorry! Think of all the lovely wool you can buy!

Laurie yes, you could do a scarf in about 10-15 mins, they are brilliant for simple back and forwards things.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Oh god wish I didn’t know that

Now I will have to buy one second hand.

[AIMGA]

No problem Flavia.

I wouldn't get one for knitting scarves as I find it really therapeutic doing a plain knit scarf

Just want to make some fancy jumpers now!!

[LaurieFairyCake]

This picture is why I want one for scarves - Lacey patterns that are too hard for me to concentrate on.

Is it easy to understand knitting machines? I have a horrible feeling I might not be able to grasp it after my terrible attempts at crochet (I can’t do it!)

[FlaviaAlbia]

I don't have the patience Laurie, I can cast on and do plain knit and purl because it's just moving the guide back and forwards but it's still incredibly fiddly and annoying. Lace stitch would have me rocking back and forwards and whimpering. On the other hand, picking up a dropped stitch is easier as the machine is holding the knitting for you.

There's tutorials on YouTube that might be useful for you to see the machines working?

[FlaviaAlbia]

I think that knitmaster is way more fancy than my mum's though, looks like it might be reading pattern cards and doing it itself?

[runsmidgeOMG]

Can someone tell me the basic principle of knitting machine ?!
Is it just insert wool, pick colour... press button or far more technical ??