Which is better regular knitting or knitting machine?

Question

If I want to knit a blanket, but only have a limited amount of time to do so, is a knitting machine worth the hassle?

Does the knitting machine allow someone to knit much faster than by hand, or is just a different type of knitting?

"get the mchine, but its for a different type of knitting"

Different type than the blanket? I'm pretty fast at hand knitting, but I'm doing a very lengthy project (buying wool, washing it, dyeing it, and spinning it) and I wanted to finish it before Christmas.

Answer 1

I do both, and I usually have multiple projects going on at any one time.

Learning to use a knitting machine requires an investment of time. The simplest machines, of course, require the least investment and provide the simplest results (primarily stockinette stitch, and you can hand-manipulate stitches to achieve patterns), but do it much faster than you can knit comparable yarn by hand. In other words, taking on the task of learning to use a knitting machine can be fun in itself, if you perceive it as a learning process with its own learning curve.

But to knit *A* blanket (when you don't already machine knit)? The fastest way is to use size 50 knitting needles (1" diameter; make long ones with 1" dowels sanded smooth and waxed with floor wax) and multiple strands of heaavier yarn. You can whip out a crib-sized blanket in about the time you'd take to watch two to three movies on TV and an adult-sized afghan in less time than it would take to watch a season of The Sopranos.

Answer 2

I've found that knitting machines are a little difficult to get the hang of, but once you get started, it is a LOT faster than hand knitting. I agree that knitting something by hand has more work effort, therefore having a stronger impression, but even doing it on a machine takes a long time, so it's not like the machine does everything for you. Since you don't have a lot of time in which to finish it, a knitting machine might be your best bet. Also, with a machine, you can be sure that the tension stays the same throughout the entire blanket.

Answer 3

Suitability depends on your purpose.

I've read of a woman who routinely grew and spun her own wool and then machine-knit it and "fulled" the result (technical term for felting something other than plain fiber) because it was faster than weaving and had less waste in the process.

A rib-stitch throw would knit up quickly on a suitable machine, but most inexpensive machines will only do stockinette, which isn't that heavy and the edges curl up and require additional finishing.

For just plain knitting, any knitting machine is probably faster than hand-knitting.

One warning though: machines where you need to push the yarn carriage back and forth manually can be "hard" on the user's wrists. Speed isn't worth courting Carpel Tunnel problems.

Answer 4

Depends on your viewpoint. I am a better crocheter than knitter and thought that investing in a machine would really be the answer for me because there are certain things that, to me, just look better knitted. I got the machine but it requires an even hand and some decent upper body strength in order t o do it properly. It ended up not being a good solution for me. You might want to get one and experiment with it when you have more time-better yet, ask around to see if someone has one that you can try first. Good luck!!!

Answer 5

It depends on what you're making, in my opinion. I'm primarily a hand- knitter and although I would like to own a knitting machine, I haven't invested yet.

If you're knitting something with lots of stockinette stitch, the machine is the way to go, but if you're working with fancy, novelty yarns or doing something in the round or with cables, or some other 'non-standard' thing, then hand-knit it.

I think there's a 'learning curve' with machine knitting to master; learning how to properly tune it, etc., but it's certainly fast for large areas of knitting.

Answer 6

Machine knitting is very technical, and is less about being a hobby than it is about getting a finished result really quickly. Also , the more primitive knitting machines have a lot of restrictions, while the more sophisticated are complicated to operate and costly.

So I think it just depends on your objectives.

Answer 7

It can do complicated patterns quicker than you could otherwise, but it's no fun. If you want to have lots of knitted things, all with fancy motifs, and you don't really care that you didn't make it yourself, then a knitting machine can be worthwhile.

Your hand-spun yarn might be too bulky, or might not fit on the cones properly. Perhaps it should be a Valentine gift instead?
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Answer 8

If you don't have the time to put in to it, don't bother. Knitting is all about the effort. To me, a machine is so impersonal. Knitting is putting a little bit of yourself into every stitch.

Answer 9

Knitting machine is faster of course, but lacking the warm feelings of personal touch.

Answer 10

get the mchine, but its for a different type of knitting, just practice your knitting and do it as fast as you can.