I bought my knitting machine not too long ago and have booked a machine knitting course for September. I have hardly used it but I think that is because I need a bit of help and to get a bit of motivation, it is not as straightforward as I thought it would be.
I did quite a bit of research into this before I decided to buy one and here are a few things I discovered.
You have to have a fair bit of space for one of these machines, they are big and heavy and not something you can do in front of the tv, I have a dedicated workspace for mine.
Stitches that are fairly easy in handkntting can be a bit of a pain on a machine and I'm hoping my course will be able to teach me some shortcuts.
If you want to do rib or garter stitch you need a ribber attachment and garter stitch bar, the machine will do standard stocking stitch.
There isn't a machine that will knit all wool, as with needles you need a different machine for different wool thinknesses.
I bought a machine that works with chunky and aran weight yarns but since have found it quite hard to get wool on a cone that isn't acrylic so that may be something to think about. I was used to working with rowan and debbie bliss type wools but as yet have not found a similar product for a machine. But I will keep trying!
Sorry if this comes across as negative but on the plus side I made a lovely baby jumper in an hour which by hand would have taken me a couple of days!
I think once I have done my course I will get the bug for it again as I'm terrible for switching from one thing to another.
I found these web pages really helpful
what every hand knitter should know
which machine
wool weights for machines
Hope that help!