knitting machines?

Question

has anyone here worked with a knitting machine- where did you buy it. Mom and I would like something to do together and it has come down to this. But don't want to end up doing just scarves. how versatile are they?
Thanks

Answer 1

I have an "Ultimate Sweater Machine". I have not "played" with it enough to be an expert.. or even very good yet, but with practice and experience you can go scarves, sweaters, blankets and all sorts of patterns... the instruction books shows you how to do cables and fancy stitches, it also came with and intarsia (sp) plate to do picture knits and changing colors is really simple... just takes practice cause what I have found is if you don't pay attention and go too fast the whole thing can literally fall off the unit if the needles get out of sync. (very frustrating) however I have heard with experience and practice this happens less.

Answer 2

I own a very old and simple knitting machine.
Mine can do knit. (I should say it makes stockinette stitch.)
It can do some fancy stitches, as long as I set the needles right before each row.
The only real advantage of a machine this old, it can change colour real easy.
Even on this simple machine, and others nearly as old we have made some nice jerseys, it also depend on how you can handle the machine.

Before you buy a machine, new or second hand, you need to think about what you want.

Some machines can do knit as well as purl.
Some machines can do cables and alike rather easily.
Some machines can not easily change colour, but others can.
Some machines have an automated function, that does the actual knitting, you do not need to do anything by hand, not even moving the sledge, (part of the machine.)

How much are you willing to spend, do you want the best, new and sitting up-giving paws, or are you willing to go for a cheaper secondhand machine where you will need to learn how to handle it.