Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with this whole knitting machine thing lately, and let me tell you, it’s been a ride. I saw some folks online talking about these circular knitting machines, particularly the Addi and Sentro ones. They’re supposed to make knitting way easier, you know? So, I decided to dive in and see what the hype was all about.
Addi or Sentro?
First off, I had to choose which one to get. There’s the Addi, which seems to be the fancier, more expensive option, and then there’s the Sentro, which is way cheaper. The price difference is huge, like the Sentro is around 60 or 70 bucks, while the Addi is way more than that. I did some digging, reading what other people were saying, and it seemed like the Addi was supposed to be better quality and last longer.
But, honestly, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to spend that much money on something I wasn’t even sure I’d like. So, I ended up going with the Sentro first. Figured I’d try it out, see if I enjoyed it, and then maybe upgrade later if I wanted to.
Getting Started
When the Sentro arrived, I was pretty excited. I ripped open the box and started setting it up. It wasn’t too hard, just had to follow the instructions. I loaded up some yarn, trying to be all careful, and started cranking the handle.
At first, it was kind of cool. The machine was knitting away, and I was like, “Wow, this is so easy!” But then, things started to get a little wonky. Stitches were dropping, the tension was all over the place, and it just wasn’t looking very good.
Troubleshooting
I spent hours trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. I watched videos, read forums, and tried all sorts of different things. I adjusted the tension, rethreaded the yarn, and even took the whole thing apart and put it back together again. Still, it was hit or miss. Sometimes it would knit okay for a bit, and then it would just mess up again.
Eventually, I started to realize that maybe it wasn’t just me. Maybe the Sentro just wasn’t a very good machine. People online were saying that you have to constantly replace parts on it, and that it’s not very reliable. It was a bummer, but I guess you get what you pay for, right?
Trying the Addi
After my Sentro struggles, I decided to bite the bullet and try the Addi. It was a lot more money, but I was determined to make this knitting machine thing work. When I got it, I could immediately tell the difference in quality. It felt sturdier, more well-made.
Setting up the Addi was similar to the Sentro, but it just felt smoother. I loaded up the yarn, started cranking, and wow, what a difference! It knitted beautifully, with no dropped stitches or tension problems. It was like night and day compared to the Sentro.
Success!
Finally, I was able to make some actual projects! I knitted some hats, a scarf, and even started working on a blanket. It was so satisfying to see the finished products, especially after all the frustration with the Sentro. I also tried out a Silver Reed knitting machine, because that is the one I used to start with, and I know how to use them and like them. Spare parts were easy to get too. Even though the Silver Reed is a flat bed machine, not a round one like Addi, it was still really easy to use, even for beginners.
In the end, I learned that the Addi is definitely worth the extra money. It’s just a much better machine, and it makes the whole knitting process so much more enjoyable. If you’re serious about using a knitting machine, I’d say skip the Sentro and go straight for the Addi. Trust me, you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches!
- Sentro: Cheaper, but unreliable and needs constant part replacements.
- Addi: More expensive, but much better quality, reliable, and produces great results.
- Silver Reed: Good quality too and easy to use. It is still manufacturing machines.
So, that’s my knitting machine adventure. It was a bit of a rollercoaster, but I’m glad I stuck with it. Now I’ve got a new hobby that I really enjoy, and I can make all sorts of cool knitted things. If you’re thinking about trying it out, definitely go for it! Just make sure you get a good machine!
