Okay, so, I recently got my hands on this addi King Size circular knitting machine. Let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride! I’ve always been into knitting, but this thing takes it to a whole new level. It’s basically a table-top machine that you crank by hand, and it knits for you. Sounds easy, right? Well, it is, and it isn’t.
First off, I unboxed the machine and set it up on my table. It’s got 46 needles, which is way more than I’m used to dealing with! It’s supposed to be able to handle any type of yarn, but I found that it works best with heavier weights. I tried using some lighter stuff, and it just didn’t feel as smooth.
The first thing I did was practice casting on. You basically just thread the yarn through the guides and start cranking. There’s a bit of a learning curve with getting the tension right, but once I got the hang of it, it was pretty straightforward. I made a few practice swatches, just to get a feel for how the machine works.
Then, I decided to jump right in and try making a hat. I followed the instructions that came with the machine, and it was surprisingly easy. I just kept cranking away, and the hat started to form. It was so satisfying to watch it grow row by row, way faster than I could ever knit by hand.
- I did have a few dropped stitches, which was a bit frustrating.
- But I learned that if you go slow and steady, it helps prevent that.
- Also, making sure the yarn is feeding smoothly is super important.
I’ve made a bunch of hats now, and I’m starting to experiment with different colors and patterns. It’s pretty limited in terms of the designs you can create – you can’t really do anything too intricate, it is not very good at complex, detailed patterns. But for simple stripes and color blocks, it’s great. I’m thinking about trying to make a scarf next, or maybe even a blanket if I’m feeling ambitious!
My honest opinion
This machine isn’t perfect. It’s got its quirks, and it takes some getting used to. It’s definitely not for everyone, especially if you’re into really intricate knitting patterns. But if you’re looking for a way to crank out some quick and easy knitted items, it’s a lot of fun. I’d say it’s worth checking out, especially if you can find it for a good price. I heard that the Sentro machine is also good but not as durable as addi. Anyway, I think I’ll stick with addi for a long time.
