Alright, folks, gather ’round! Today, I’m gonna walk you through my little adventure with the addi Express Kingsize knitting machine. Now, I’ve always been a hands-on kinda guy, love getting my fingers dirty with a new project, and this one was no different. So, I got my hands on this machine, right? It’s supposed to make knitting super easy, especially for big stuff like scarves and all.
First off, I unboxed it. This thing is pretty neat – it’s got this crank you turn, and it’s supposed to do all the knitting for you. It’s got a bunch of needles, 46 to be exact, and it’s designed for thicker yarns, like those chunky ones that make those cozy scarves everyone loves.
Now, the instruction booklet it came with, it’s alright, I guess. It shows you the basics, how to set it up, how to get the yarn going, and how to switch between knitting in the round or flat pieces. But let me tell you, it’s one thing to read about it and another to actually do it.
So, I started winding the yarn. I made sure that I found the right yarn weight. It is important to use 4-8 weight yarns. You gotta thread it through this little guide and then around the needles. The trick is to get the tension just right – not too tight, not too loose. It took me a few tries to get the hang of it, but once I did, it was smooth sailing. Or so I thought.
Then came the cranking. Oh boy, the cranking. You turn the handle, and the needles start moving, picking up the yarn and knitting away. Sounds easy, right? Well, it kinda is, once you get into the rhythm. But at first, I kept dropping stitches. And let me tell you, chasing a dropped stitch on this thing is like trying to catch a greased piglet. But I persevered, I did! I followed the instructions, watched it like a hawk, and I got better at catching mistakes before they became huge disasters.
The machine can knit two types of pieces – circular, like for hats or cowls, and flat, like for scarves or blankets. Switching between the two is a bit of a fiddle, but you get used to it. I started with a circular piece, just to test the waters. And you know what? It actually worked! After a few rows, I had this little tube of knit fabric. It wasn’t perfect, mind you, but it was a start.
Then, I tried a flat piece. This is where things got a bit more interesting. You have to turn the crank back and forth, and there’s this row counter that’s supposed to help you keep track. But sometimes, it skips a number, or I’d lose count, and things would get a bit wonky. But hey, that’s part of the learning curve, right?
My first project
I decided to make a scarf, a nice, long, chunky one. I picked out this beautiful, soft, blue yarn, and I got to work. I cranked and cranked, row after row. And slowly but surely, the scarf started to take shape. It was actually working! I was making a scarf! Me! With a machine!
The result
- The scarf turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. It’s not perfect, there are a few uneven spots, and the edges are a bit wonky in places, but it’s a scarf! And I made it! Well, with the help of the addi Express Kingsize, of course.
- It is a manual knitting machine capable of producing flat pieces up to 45 cm wide or circular pieces up to 35 cm in diameter.
- All in all, it was a fun little project. It’s not as easy as it looks in the videos, but it’s not rocket science either. It takes a bit of practice, a bit of patience, and a whole lot of yarn. Would I recommend it? Sure, why not! It’s a neat little gadget for anyone who wants to try their hand at knitting without having to learn all those complicated needle moves. Just be prepared for a bit of a learning curve, and don’t expect perfection right away. But hey, where’s the fun in that, right?
So, that’s my story about the addi Express Kingsize knitting machine. It’s been a ride, and I’m not done yet. I’ve got plans for more projects, bigger projects. Maybe a blanket, or even a sweater. Who knows! The sky’s the limit, right? Keep on crafting, folks!
