So, I’ve been eyeing those Sentro knitting machines for a while, you know, the ones that promise to crank out hats and scarves in no time. I finally decided to take the plunge and get one, but let me tell you, finding a legit one was a real headache!
I started my search online, but most of the websites I found looked super shady. Spelling errors everywhere, grammar that made my head spin—it just didn’t feel right. I mean, if they can’t get their website right, how can I trust their product?
- I spent hours, and I mean HOURS, scrolling through forums and reading reviews.
- Some people swore by these machines, saying they were a game-changer for their crafting.
- Others warned about quality issues and faulty row counters. It was a mixed bag, to say the least.
I did find out that Addi is the premium knitting machine. I found out Addi is more sturdy and comes with row counters whereas the Sentro only comes with a row counter on its 48 pin machine. And the Sentro row counter is known to be pretty faulty. But the Sentro is much cheaper. And if all I want to do is make hats and scarves, it seems like it’ll do the job.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, I stumbled upon a used Sentro 48 on a local online marketplace. The seller seemed genuine, and the price was decent, so I decided to go for it. I figured, worst case, I’m not out a ton of money, and I can always try to resell it if it doesn’t work out.
The Big Day
The day the machine arrived, I was like a kid on Christmas morning. I ripped open the box and started setting it up. It was surprisingly easy, even for a klutz like me.
- I grabbed some Caron Simply Soft yarn I had lying around, since I read that’s a good one to start with.
- I followed the instructions to cast on, which was a little fiddly at first, but I got the hang of it after a few tries.
Then came the moment of truth. I started cranking, and you know what? It actually worked! The yarn was feeding through, the needles were clicking, and a tube of knitted fabric started to emerge. It was honestly kind of magical.
Now, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. I did have a few dropped stitches here and there, especially when I tried to go too fast. And like others mentioned the row counter was busted.
- I had to learn the right tension to hold the yarn so it wouldn’t get tangled or too loose.
- And I had to be careful not to miss a hook.
- It takes some practice, but it wasn’t frustrating at all.
But overall, I was pretty impressed. I managed to crank out a simple hat in just a couple of hours, which would have taken me days to knit by hand. And sure, I still had to finish it off manually, but that was expected.
I’ve been experimenting with different yarns and patterns since then, and it’s been a blast. I’ve made hats, scarves, and even a few small blankets. Yeah, it takes some practice, and you might need to do a little troubleshooting along the way, but for the price, I think it’s a pretty sweet deal. I love it. It’s fun, and it works.
If you’re thinking about getting one of these machines, just do your research, manage your expectations, and be prepared to put in a little bit of practice. And don’t be afraid to try to get it used or from a local group. It’s worth a shot. It’s a great way to get started. You can always find a new home for it.