List of pros and cons of knitting machines I used

…in progress. Updated: June 2025

abbreviations:

b-in = built-in

mb = metal bed

sg = standard gauge

st = stitch

mb, sg, 200 needles, 24-st punchcard

https://youtu.be/L1GwyLg46V0 Can do tuck slip, 2-color fair isle; if carriage is stuck, unscrew the sinker plate, no built-in toolbox; has built-in knit leader; standard set of punchcards has only 10 cards, no hard case lid (all parts are inside a sterofoam packaging; budget, lightweight model. https://wordpress.com/post/thoughtsandknits.wordpress.com/427

m, sg, 200 needles, 24-st punchcard

https://youtu.be/27blcVPYAlw Can do tuck slip, 2-color fair isle; if carriage is stuck, unscrew the sinker plate, no built-in toolbox; no built-knit leader; compatible with standard add-ons (ribbers, knit-leaders, color changers, row counter) https://thoughtsandknits.com/2025/05/26/studio-mod-324-knitting-machine-prepared-for-lara/

md, sg 200 needles, 24-stpunchcard; b-in knit leader, tool tray

https://youtu.be/0PnXE_Bc8yc Can do tuck slip, 2-color fair isle; if carriage is stuck, unscrew the sinker plate, no built-in (but has stand-alone) toolbox; compatible with standard add-ons (ribbers, color changers, row counters) https://thoughtsandknits.com/2022/06/11/studio-326/

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

XXX

Review of Scrubby yarn and how it knits on circular knitting machines Addi

Scrabby yarn (from IceYarns or from RedHeart) has sort of an eye-lash thread but with the “eyelashes” are created with the twistiess. It is typically used to knit washcloth for dishes and baths

Knitting by hand with this yarn was fun – it creates a unique texture without any effort. I also decided to use my Addi circular machine to see if I can make household items faster. So, I was able to knit loofahs, coffee holders (aka reusable sleeves for paper cups), place holders, table pads and coasters.

Both IceYarns and RedHear offer a very wide variety of colors, including solid, two and three color variegated types. I chose white and black yarn because in my opinion it hides all the crumbs and spills really well

The IceYarn offers scrubby yarn as 100% polyester. One skein holds 3.53 oz (100 g) and contains 103 yards (95 m). Red Heart offers both 100% polyester (100g/3.53 oz and 85 meters/92 yards per skein) and 100% cotton yarn (weight and yardage depend on whether the color is solid or variegated). I only tested the 100% polyester yarn because I had cotton washcloths and I could never get rid of the smell of dirty dishes even after washing the scrubbies over and over again.

The cast-one was straightforward and relatively easy. It did help to keep the tension loos but not too loose because the yarn is silky (very smooth) enough where it can skip stitches (which we don’t want). However, I started using contrasting waste yarn because it is easier to manipulate the stitches afterward (in order to put the washcloths together )

The knitting on the machine became significantly easier after the first two rows. However, some of the stitches did not sink into the slots on their own and I had to help “them” . Even though the yarn will hide all defects because of the variegated colors and because of the twisties on the yarn, I still did not want to create tuck stitches because they sometimes lead to missed stitches. Check out my youtube video on how I dealt with these stubborn stitches.

A square scrubby took 12 rows. In the same video, I demonstrated the techniques I used to finish these square scrubbies. I tested them and they are washable on a regular cycle and even dryable on “knits” cycles. Coffee mug sleeves would probably take 12-30 rows depending on whether you like it single-or double-layered. Placement mats should be done on large Addi. I made mine rectangular and double-layered with 60 rows.

Testing Lion Brand 24/7 cotton yarn on Addi circular knitting machine

I was again trying to discover what yarns my Addi will like. Additionally, I was destashing and helping a friend with a charity project. So, I decided to see if I can make a scarf out of this Lion brand 24/7 Cotton yarn.

Each skein contains 186 yards (170 m) and 3.5 oz (100 g) of yarn. I used grey color – neutral color and can be a scarf for male or female.

Typically, cotton yarns are not very suitable on circular knitting machines because of their rigidity. Additionally, this yarn almost looked like a chain and had to stretch to it. Or maybe the thread could be described as a cord. However, the skein was wound so tightly, I could not even get the other end from inside of the skein. So, I decided to rewind it into a cake (which I strongly recommend for all projects on circular and flat bed machines especially operated with a power adapters or motors).

The yarn surprised me: it behaved flawlessly. I was able to hand-crank and get extremely even stitches. First, I was very cautious because at the very beginning (as always), the first rows knitted somewhat loose and I was worried the machine might even skip/tuck of drop stitches or skip the yarn. But once I had enough length and attached a weight, I was even able to knit the whole length of the scarf with a power adapter to my Addi. See my video that shows actual knitting speed – was pretty fast!!

Looks at this beautiful web of stitches created by both hand and drill-cranking.

One skein proivded 252 rows of the scarf with beatiful even stitches. I was so pleased!! I hope you will enjoy knitting with this yarn – just remember the apply enough tension to knit without problems.

List of machines I tested/refurbished/cleaned/fixed

Updated: March 2025;

Total machine count: 68

2 circular plastic

3 bulky basic

2 bulky punchcard

6 mid-gauge plastic bed

2 standard basic

5 four-pushbutton

9 eight-pushbutton

22 standard-gauge punchcard

13 ribbers

4 electronic standard-gauge

Specific Machines:

Addi King 46 needles

Add Express 22 needles

Brother KH210

Brother KH230

Brother KH260 (two) 

Brother KX350 (five)

Brother KH500 (two)

Brother KH551 (five)

Brother KH552

Brother KH581

Brother KH585 (two)

Brother KH588 (two)

Brother KH601

Brother KH710 (two)

Brother KH800

Brother KH830 (two)

Brother KH836

Brother KH840

Brother KH860

Brother KH881 (two)

Brother KH890

Brother KH892

Brother KH930 (four)

Silver Reed SK120

Singer HK100

Singer 210 Memomatic

Singer 321 (tw0)

Studio mod. 324 and Empisal Knitmaster 324 (two)

Singer 360K and Studio mod. 360 (six)

Singer mod. 700 MemoMatic (two)

Studio 326

Ribbers

Brother KR260 (two)

Brother KR551

Brother KR580

Brother KR810

Brother KR830 (four)

Brother KR850 (three)

Studio SRN321