Alright, so today I wanted to mess around with machine knitting yarns, which I’ve been itching to try for a while. I finally got my hands on a basic knitting machine, nothing fancy, just something to get me started. I had a bunch of different yarns lying around, but I wasn’t sure which ones would actually work well with the machine.
First, I gathered all the yarns I thought might be suitable. I had some worsted weight, some DK, and even a few skeins of fingering weight. I also found some cotton and acrylic blends that looked promising. I knew from reading online that thinner yarns are generally better, but I wanted to experiment and see what would happen with different thicknesses.
I started with the DK weight yarn, a nice, soft merino wool. I carefully threaded it through the machine, following the instructions that came with it – which, by the way, were not very clear, but I managed. It took a few tries to get the tension right. Too loose, and the stitches were all uneven; too tight, and the yarn kept getting stuck.
Once I got the hang of it, I knitted a small swatch. It turned out pretty well! The stitches were consistent, and the fabric had a nice drape. I was surprised at how quickly the machine worked. It was definitely faster than hand knitting, even with my clumsy beginner skills.
Next, I tried the worsted weight yarn. This was a bit trickier. The yarn was thicker, so it didn’t flow through the machine as smoothly. It kept catching on the needles, and I had to stop and adjust it several times. I also noticed that the fabric was much denser and stiffer, which wasn’t what I was going for.
- I was a bit disappointed, but then I decided to adjust the tension again, but this time to be more loose, to see if that would help.
- It was a bit better, but still not great. It was still hard to knit.
- I moved on to the fingering weight yarn.
This was a game-changer! The thin yarn glided through the machine like butter. The stitches were tiny and delicate, and the fabric was incredibly soft and lightweight. It was perfect for making scarves or shawls. But it was so thin that it took a very long time to knit.
Experiment
I also experimented with the cotton and acrylic blends. The cotton yarn worked surprisingly well. It was sturdy and created a nice, even fabric. The acrylic blend was a bit more challenging. It was a little fuzzy and tended to split, so I had to be extra careful when threading it through the machine. And I did not adjust the tension in this experiment, so the fabric was a little bit stiff.
By the end of the day, I had a small collection of swatches, each with its own unique texture and drape. I learned that yarn weight definitely makes a difference when it comes to machine knitting. Thinner yarns are generally easier to work with and produce a more delicate fabric, while thicker yarns can be more challenging but create a denser, warmer fabric. It was way more fun than hand knitting.
I still have a lot to learn about machine knitting, but this little experiment was a great start. I’m excited to keep practicing and trying out new yarns and patterns. Who knows, maybe I’ll even be able to make a whole sweater someday!
