Okay, so I’ve been seeing these “sentro knitting machines” all over Amazon lately. You know, those little hand-cranked things that are supposed to make knitting super easy? Well, I finally caved and bought one. Gotta say, I was pretty skeptical at first, but I was also kinda curious to see if it actually worked.
First off, getting the thing set up was a bit of a pain. The instructions weren’t super clear, and it took me a while to figure out how to thread the yarn properly. I watched a bunch of videos on how to use a sentro knitting machine online and finally figured it out. It’s important to keep the yarn feeding into the machine loose and untangled. And make sure that the weights on the bottom of the piece are hanging, or the stitches will drop. I messed up a couple of times and had to start over, which was pretty frustrating. But hey, that’s how you learn, right?
Once I got the hang of it, though, it was actually kinda fun. You just turn the crank, and the machine does all the work. It’s way faster than knitting by hand, that’s for sure. I made a few simple things, like a scarf and a hat. And it is so easy to make a hat with the sentro knitting machine! They turned out okay, not perfect, but definitely wearable. I made a few different colors of hats and started giving them to my friends and family as gifts.
- The first step is to get the machine set up and start turning the handle.
- Then once you have completed the first row you can start adding in your working yarn.
- You keep turning until you have the desired length of your project.
- Then you have to take the project off the machine and sew it together.
- Finally, you can add a pom-pom or any other embellishment that you want.
Here’s the thing, though, I learned to set my expectations. The machine is definitely not a replacement for real knitting. It’s more of a fun little gadget to play around with. The stitches aren’t as neat and even as they would be if you knitted by hand, and you’re pretty limited in what you can make. But if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to whip up some simple knit items, it’s not a bad option. Plus, it’s kinda satisfying to watch the machine do its thing.
I also realized that the type of yarn you use really matters. I tried using some thicker, chunkier yarn, and it did not go well. The machine kept jamming, and the stitches were all messed up. So stick to thinner, smoother yarns, and you’ll be good to go. Also, don’t expect to make anything super intricate or detailed. Keep it simple, and you’ll have more fun. I found the best way to keep it simple is to just make hats and scarves.
Overall, I’d say the sentro knitting machine is worth trying if you’re curious about it. Just don’t expect it to turn you into a master knitter overnight. It’s a fun little tool to have in your crafting arsenal, but it’s not going to replace your knitting needles anytime soon. I mean, I’m definitely keeping mine, but I’m not throwing away my needles just yet. It’s all about finding the right balance, you know? And hey, at least it’s a good conversation starter, right? People are always asking me about it when they see it sitting on my craft table.
Things to keep in mind
- Make sure that you are using the right kind of yarn.
- Keep the yarn untangled and loose as it feeds into the machine.
- Make sure the weights on the bottom of the project are hanging or the stitches will drop.
- Have fun, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It takes practice!
So yeah, that’s my experience with the sentro knitting machine. Hope this helps anyone out there who’s been thinking about getting one. Just remember to have fun with it, and don’t take it too seriously! You won’t be a knitting master, but you might make a few cool things.
