Okay, so, I got this addi King knitting machine a while back, and I thought I’d share my little journey with it. It’s been a ride, let me tell you.
Getting Started
First off, I unboxed the thing and was like, “What have I gotten myself into?” It’s this big circular thing with a bunch of needles. 46 needles, to be exact. I picked this size because I wanted to make hats and scarves, and maybe some clothes. I heard that the smaller 22-needle one is more for, like, doll stuff and socks, and the 48-needle one is better for larger projects. I went with 46 needles because I want to make some adult-sized hats and scarves.
I started by watching some tutorials online. I really dove deep into those videos to get the basics down. They were lifesavers because the manual that came with the machine was, well, not the best. I started with some cheap yarn I had lying around, figured I’d practice before using the good stuff.
Casting On
Casting on was the first hurdle. It’s basically getting the yarn onto the machine to start knitting. The videos made it look so easy, but it took me a few tries to get it right. You have to go in and out of these little hooks, and if you mess up, you have to start over. It’s not difficult, it’s more that you need to pay attention to what you’re doing.
Cranking Away
Once I got the hang of casting on, I started cranking. That’s the fun part, you just turn the handle, and the machine starts knitting. It’s pretty cool to watch it go. You can make a tube (for hats) or a flat piece (for scarves). I started with a tube because I wanted to make a hat.
I messed up a few times. Sometimes the yarn would get caught, or a stitch would drop. Dropped stitches are the worst, they can unravel your whole project if you’re not careful. I learned to watch the machine like a hawk and stop at the first sign of trouble. I learned from these videos that thicker yarns might be too big for this machine, so I bought some new ones and tried those out.
Finishing Up
After a few hours of practice, I finally made my first hat. It wasn’t perfect, a little wonky in places, but it was a hat! I was so proud of myself. Taking it off the machine was another learning curve. You have to use a different needle to transfer the stitches, and it’s a bit fiddly. But I managed, and I wore that hat everywhere, even though it was summer.
My Tips for Newbies
- Watch tutorials: They’re way better than the manual.
- Start with cheap yarn: You’re gonna mess up, it’s part of the process.
- Pay attention: Don’t get distracted, or you’ll drop stitches.
- Be patient: It takes time to get good at this.
So, that’s my story with the addi King knitting machine. It’s been fun, frustrating, and rewarding. I’ve made a bunch of hats and scarves now, and I’m even thinking about trying a sweater. If you’re thinking about getting one, I say go for it. Just be prepared to put in some time and effort, and don’t expect to be a pro right away. Happy knitting!
