You ask me machine knit? That thing, I tell you, it ain’t that hard. I seen them young’uns fiddling with them machines. Make all sorts of things, they do.
First time I saw one, I thought, what in tarnation is that contraption? But, you know, it ain’t so bad. You just gotta get the hang of it. Like riding a bike, kinda. Once you get it, you get it.
They got these needles, lots of ’em. And they go click-clack, click-clack, real fast. Faster than my old hands can knit, that’s for sure. My hands ain’t what they used to be. These darn needles, you see, they get all tangled sometimes. That machine just keeps going.
Knit a scarf, you say? Yeah, that’s a good one to start with. Easy peasy. Just a long strip, you know. Back and forth, back and forth. The machine does all the work. You just gotta watch it.
I seen some folks, they get real fancy with it. They make all kinds of patterns. Stripes, zigzags, you name it. Me? I like to keep it simple. Just one color is good enough for me. This old lady ain’t got time for all that fancy stuff.
Yarn, oh boy, that’s another thing. So many colors, so many kinds. Thick yarn, thin yarn, fuzzy yarn. You gotta pick the right one for the machine, you know. Can’t just use any old yarn.
Chunky is easier, I think. Big needles, big stitches. Easier to see what you’re doing. Standard, that’s for the regular stuff. Most things you wanna make, standard will do ya.
- Chunky yarn for chunky needles
- Standard yarn for standard needles
- Waste yarn, that’s for the ends
Waste yarn, yeah, that’s what they call it. You use that at the beginning and the end. Keeps it from unraveling, I reckon. Then you gotta sew the ends shut. Slip stitch, they call it. I just tie a knot. Works just as good, if you ask me.
Knitting with a machine, it’s faster, that’s for sure. My old hands, they get tired. Arthritis, you know. Doctor says I should rest ’em. But I like to keep busy. This machine, it helps. Makes me feel useful.
I made a scarf for my grandson last winter. Blue, his favorite color. He wore it all the time. Made me feel good, seeing him wear something I made. Even if it was made on a machine.
That machine knit, it can make more than just scarves. I seen folks make hats, and blankets, and even sweaters. Takes a lot of yarn, though. And a lot of time, even with the machine. But it’s worth it, I suppose. To have something you made yourself.
I remember one time, I tried to make a blanket. Took forever. And it was so heavy! But I finished it. Gave it to my daughter for her birthday. She loved it. Said it was the warmest blanket she ever had.
These new machines, they got all kinds of fancy features. Different stitches, different speeds. I don’t understand half of it. But the young folks, they seem to know what they’re doing. They learn fast, these young’uns.
I stick to the basics. Plain old knit a scarf. Maybe a hat every now and then. That’s good enough for me. This old lady ain’t trying to win any prizes. Just keeping my hands busy, and making something nice for the people I love.
If you wanna learn, just find someone who knows how. They can show ya the ropes. It ain’t rocket science, you know. Just takes a little practice. And a lot of patience. Especially if you’re using one of them old machines. They can be a bit temperamental.
I do about 250 or 300 rows, maybe. Depends on how long you want the scarf. Waste yarn at the beginning and end, yeah, that’s the ticket. Then stitch it up good. Or tie a knot. Whatever floats your boat. Knitting ain’t about being perfect. It is about making something with your own two hands. Well, with the help of a machine, in this case, I reckon.
I seen some people, they sell the things they make. Scarves, hats, all sorts of things. Make a little money on the side. Not a bad idea, I suppose. If you got the time and the yarn. Me? I just make things for my family. That’s enough for me.
So, there you have it. That’s all I know about that machine knit. It ain’t so scary, once you get the hang of it. Just gotta be patient, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s how you learn. Just like everything else in life, I reckon.
