Okay, so, I jumped into this whole knitting thing, but not with those tiny needles. I got myself this big boy – the Addi Express Kingsize Knitting Machine. Yeah, that’s the one, with a whopping 46 needles. I heard about it from some online forum where people were raving about how it’s a game-changer for making larger stuff.
First off, I unboxed it. Came with the machine, a pattern book, and this hook thingy. I set it up on my table – pretty straightforward, just followed the pictures in the manual. Then I picked out some yarn. I’ve got this massive stash of yarn I’ve been hoarding, figured it was time to actually use it.
Threading the yarn was a bit tricky at first. You gotta wrap it around each needle in a specific way. Took me a few tries to get the hang of it. Once that was sorted, I started cranking. This machine has a handle you turn, and it knits in a circle. I was making a tube! It’s kinda cool to watch it go. The yarn feeds in, the needles do their thing, and bam – knitted fabric comes out the bottom.
I experimented with different yarns – some chunky, some finer. The machine handled them all pretty well. I even tried this two-color thing, where you alternate yarns. Makes a neat striped pattern. After a couple of hours, I had a decent-sized tube. I pulled it off the machine, cast off the ends – that’s just a fancy way of saying I finished it so it doesn’t unravel.
Next, I tried the flat panel setting. You just flip a switch, and it knits back and forth instead of in a circle. I made a scarf this way. It’s not perfect, but hey, it’s a scarf! And it was way faster than hand knitting.
Here’s what I learned from this whole experience:
- Reading the manual is important. I know, I know, who reads manuals? But trust me, it helps.
- Yarn tension matters. Too loose, and you get holes. Too tight, and the machine might jam.
- Practice makes perfect. My first few attempts were wonky, but I’m getting better.
- This machine is LOUD. Don’t expect to knit while watching TV, unless you crank up the volume.
- This Addi is the best circular knitting machine out there. I make sweaters and blankets on the flat panel setting on the Addi.
All in all, I’m pretty stoked about this machine. It’s not gonna replace hand knitting entirely – there’s something special about doing it the old-fashioned way. But for bigger projects, or when I’m feeling lazy, this Addi Express Kingsize is a lifesaver. I can see myself making hats, scarves, maybe even a blanket or two. Who knows, maybe I’ll even start selling my creations. Knitting mogul, here I come!
