Balancing a hectic life with hobbies can be challenging, especially when knitting projects get sidelined. Fortunately, knitting machines offer a solution, speeding up the process for knitters of all levels.
Read on to discover our picks for the top 5 best knitting machines!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
SENTRO Knitting Machine
Budget Option
WISHRUN Knitting Machine
Best for Beginners and Kids
FYGAIN Knitting Machine
Best High-End Option
Addi Express King-Size Knitting Machine
Best Flat Bed Option
Walfront LK150 Domestic Knitting Machine
Best Overall
SENTRO Knitting Machine
The SENTRO Knitting Machine stands out as an affordable, comprehensive option for beginners, offering a complete kit with needles and yarn to start your first project. Despite its compact size, it’s capable of creating adult-sized beanies and socks.
While it’s accessible for newcomers, its simplicity comes with limitations, such as being manually operated without a row counter and being sensitive to yarn weight, which may cause jams with heavier yarns. Nonetheless, it’s a valued choice for knitters seeking an affordable entry into machine knitting.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use and well equipped
- Compact
Cons
- Manual
- No row counter
- Can’t handle bulky yarn
Budget Option
WISHRUN Knitting Machine
The WISHRUN Knitting Machine, ideal for beginners, is an affordable, basic model with 32 needles suitable for small projects.
It comes with essential accessories but lacks advanced features like a row counter and is limited to light yarn with manual operation. Despite these limitations, its value and appeal make it a great entry-level choice.
Pros
- Affordable
- Includes everything you need to get started
- Basic and easy to use
Cons
- Limited to small projects and light yarns
- Minimal features
Best for Beginners and Kids
FYGAIN Knitting Machine
The FYGAIN Knitting Machine’s simplicity, portability, and child-friendly design make it a top choice for introducing kids to knitting.
While it’s a basic, plastic model with limited durability and project scope, it includes a row counter, making it accessible and appealing for young beginners.
Pros
- Extremely simple
- No frills
- Includes a row counter
Cons
- Not very durable
- Little variety in the types of yarn and projects available
Best High-End Option
Addi Express King-Size Knitting Machine
After outgrowing your beginner knitting machine, the Addi Express Knitting Machine is an excellent upgrade, known for its quality and versatility in handling various yarn weights for both flat and circular projects. It features a robust build with 46 needles and an integrated row counter, ideal for ambitious projects.
However, transitioning to the Addi involves a steep learning curve and a higher price point, and it’s noisier than simpler models. Despite these challenges, it’s a valuable investment for those serious about advancing their machine knitting skills.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Can handle a variety of yarns and projects
- Includes a row counter
Cons
- Expensive
- Loud
- Difficult to learn
Best Flat Bed Option
Walfront LK150 Domestic Knitting Machine
Switching from a circular to a flatbed knitting machine is a serious upgrade, with flatbeds being larger, costlier, and more complex, targeting professional use. The Walfront LK150 stands out as a compact, affordable, and user-friendly flatbed option, quiet in operation and versatile with yarn types.
Despite its 150 needles allowing for diverse project sizes and patterns, it doesn’t support circular knitting and has a steeper learning curve than circular models. Yet, for its category and price, the Walfront LK150 is a top choice for those entering professional-grade flatbed knitting.
Pros
- Compact and easy to transport
- Entry level flat bed machine
- Great variety of projects
Cons
- Expensive
- Difficult to learn
- No knitting in the round
The Best Knitting Machines Buyer’s Guide
Considerations for Choosing a Knitting Machine
- Learning Curve: Machines vary in complexity. Advanced knitters may bypass basic models, but remember, hand knitting skills don’t directly translate to machine knitting.
- Needle Count: Ranges from 20 to 200. Your project type dictates the need; smaller counts suffice for baby blankets, while larger projects like afghans may require more needles.
- Final Product Expectations: Machines produce neat, uniform stitches quickly, ideal for efficiency seekers. For a more handcrafted look with diverse stitches, consider sticking to hand knitting.
The Best Knitting Machines: FAQ
Are knitting machines faster than knitting by hand?
The answer to this question is pretty subjective, depending on your skill level. But generally, a knitting machine can save you a significant amount of time on your knitting projects.
Can you knit and purl on a knitting machine?
Unfortunately, you can’t really knit and purl continuously on a knitting machine, making projects that incorporate different stitches difficult.
For stitches like garter or stockinette, you’ll need to use an accessory or turn the needles by hand.
Are flatbed or circular knitting machines better?
Though flat bed knitting machines are considered to be the higher-quality, more advanced option, the answer to this question is based more on your desired outcome than anything.
Even though they’re typically flimsier and cheaper than a flatbed, circular knitting machines are much easier to use and better for small, individual projects.
Flatbed machines usually cater to professionals or people looking to tackle much larger projects.
So, which option is “better” is really up to what you want to create!
What can you make on a knitting machine?
Almost anything! If you can knit it, you can probably make it with a knitting machine.
Even if the machine isn’t conducive to the specific pattern you want to create, like an intricate patchwork sweater, for example, you can still knit the individual components of the garment.
Time to Try a Knitting Machine!
Like most artistic, crafty hobbies, knitting is typically very personal and close to the heart. However, that fact does not preclude you from using a knitting machine! So, why not start with a SENTRO Knitting Machine and discover all the benefits a knitting machine can offer you?
Check out our Beginner’s Guide To Finger Knitting for even more fun yarn craft ideas.