Knitting machines for household use

Many women like to knit. For some, this is a hobby and they supply woolen socks , mittens , scarves and hats only to their loved ones. And some make clothes (dresses, sweaters, jackets, skirts, etc.) not only for their family, but also to order. In this case, an automatic knitting machine will help to facilitate their work.

The name "knitting machine" is most often associated with people with huge machines standing in the shop, but, thanks to modern technology, there are already knitting machines for home use. Such devices are much smaller, multifunctional and easy to handle.

In this article you will get acquainted with the main types of knitting machines for home use and how to choose them correctly.

Types of knitting machines

All knitting machines, which are used at home, are flat-knit, that is, only a flat fabric can be connected to them and the process of knitting is performed by reciprocating movements.

But due to the difference in technical characteristics, there are several classifications of knitting machines for the home.

By the number of fonts (needle beds):

• single-loop knitting machine - makes a one-sided canvas (culinary) and various weave on its basis;
• two-ply knitting machine - produces a double-faced fabric (eraser, jacquard, press).

By class (according to the distance between the needles and the size of the thread used):

• 3rd class - thick needles are installed at a great distance (6.5-9mm), therefore only thick threads (100-200m per 100g) can be used;
• 5 th class - medium needles are installed at a distance of 4.5 to 5 mm, you can knit medium-thickness yarns (300-500 m per 100 grams);
• 7th grade - thin needles, located at a distance of 2.8 mm - 3.6 mm, make it possible to knit from fine yarn (from 500-600 m per 100 grams).

On the system of management of needles:

• Manual knitting machine - with minimal automation of the knitting process, creating a pattern (selection of needles) is done manually, so they are no longer in demand;
• punch card knitting machine - knitting is carried out by either an existing set of punch cards with certain patterns, or the necessary pattern is applied to the punch card, and then processed by the machine;
• electronic knitting machine - completely computer-controlled. Even the most complex and unusual drawings can be programmed into the machine through a computer.

How to choose a knitting machine?

Since the knitting machine is quite an expensive purchase, before buying it, you need to decide what kind of products you will need to manufacture, so as not to overpay for unnecessary functions.

The most popular knitting machine for home use is a two-pendant model of the 5th grade, since it can be knit with both thin and thick threads, having chosen knitting mode through a needle. Choice between card and electronic models depends on the amount of money that you can pay. Naturally, the electronic knitting machine is more expensive, since it uses more additional attachments and you will need a computer to organize its work.

At the moment, the most reliable and high-quality knitting machines of Japanese firms Silver Reed, Brother, Janome and German PFAFF are considered.

Before choosing a knitting machine for a house and starting to knit on it, you must prepare a workplace for it. It can be a table or chest of drawers with a large table top (the size of the machine itself) with a large number of drawers and shelves. And then the work on your machine will only bring pleasure!