As we enter the depths of winter, there’s no prospect more appealing than bundling up in a handmade, ultra-warm wool blanket. When the time comes for us to leave our cosy nests to brave howling winds and freezing temperatures, you won’t catch us on the move without a matching set of knitted gloves, a bobble hat, and an oversized scarf.
High-quality knitwear is, however, an investment. From wonderfully insulating merino wool to luxurious cashmere, the price of winter-ready knits is only getting higher. Yet an unexpected, money-saving trend has woven its way into the fabric of Gen Z. Teens across the globe are following in the footsteps of the older generation by picking up knitting needles and crochet hooks.
Between piles of granny square blankets, bell-sleeved jumpers, intricate boleros, classic beanies, socks and scarves, Gen Z are reviving the centuries-old technique and saving cash on home accessories and clothing in the process.
Two types of knitting have gone viral in recent years: hand knitting and knitting machines. Contrary to what you may believe, the latter isn’t just about being a super-fast, extremely talented knitter.
Machine and hand knitting are poles apart. While some skills are transferrable, machine knitting is an entirely new skill, and the learning curve can often be steep. If you’ve already mastered the art of knitting needles, you might feel ready to graduate to the next level of the craft: semi-automation. We spoke to Sophie Nancy, fashion designer and founder of the eponymous clothing brand Planet Soph, for some expert advice.
What’s the difference between hand knitting and machine knitting?
“Hand knitting tends to use needles, whereas machine knitting tends to use more than two needles,” explains Sophie. “Machine knitting is also a lot faster. For example, if you wanted to make a beanie using a knitting machine, it might take you around half an hour. If you were hand-knitting the beanie, it could take up to two hours. Machine knitting speeds the process up,” the designer adds.
What’s the difference between flat bed and round knitting machines like the Sentro?
“Flat bed knitting involves multiple top and bottom needles, so you can do a lot more. For instance, you can change the shape of your piece as you’re knitting. They can also be equipped with punch cards, which help you to follow a pattern as you’re knitting,” she explains.
“Round machines like the Sentro only have two settings, which are panel and circular. So you can either make a panel, or a completely round knit,” Sophie adds.
Some people say that round knitting machines like the Sentro are only good for making beanies. How do you put your Sentro to good use?
“I use my Sentro for 99 per cent of the clothes that I make. I use the panel and the circular settings. Once you’ve learned how to use it, it becomes quite easy to understand how many panels you’ll need for a piece, and then stitch them together,” says Nancy.
“It will take a bit of time if you need, say, five panels to make a jumper. But before using the Sentro, I was hand-knitting or crocheting– so it’s definitely sped up the process,” she further explains.
What should someone consider before investing in a knitting machine?
“Consider whether they are actually going to use a knitting machine long-term, or whether they are just investing in it for a trend,” the designer warns, addressing the skyrocketing popularity of knitting in recent years.
“I’ve been using my Sentro for about two years now, and at this stage I’m thinking about getting a flat bed machine. I feel like I’ve exhausted all the options you can get with a Sentro, so I’d like to push my knitting further,” Sophie explains, making clear that the Sentro is a brilliant device for beginners to the world of machine knitting.
“I’d also urge buyers to consider price. Sentro machines are cheaper, but they are made of plastic and are therefore less sustainable. They last far less longer than large, flat-bed machines which are made out of metal,” explains Nancy. “Buying big, flat-bed machines new can cost you upwards of £1,000, so people tend to buy them second-hand for far cheaper.”
With Sophie Nancy’s advice ringing in our ears, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best knitting machines for beginners and experts.
Shop our picks below
Sentro Knitting Machine
Brilliant for beginners, the Sentro knitting machine makes creating garments an absolute breeze. With the simple hand-crank operation, you’ll be able to create flat or round stitches in seconds. A Sentro comes with three hand needles, one crochet needle, one wire frame and four bundles of surprise yarns in varying colours. It also comes with a screwdriver, four screws and four suction cups to keep the machine in place.
The 48-needle knitting machine is suitable for yarn between 1.5-4.5mm. Sentro recommend being careful not to drop any stitches in those crucial first few turns of weaving. To prevent against any accidental dropped stitches, ensure to rotate the handle at a slow and steady speed.
Buy now £56.99, Amazon
Addi Express Kingsize Knitting Machine
The Addi Express Kingsize is another superb round knitting machine. The Addi is equipped with 46 needles and is suitable for slightly thicker yarn than the Sentro – between 4-8mm in width. Though considered expensive for a plastic, hand-cranked knitting machine, the Addi is often considered superior in quality and far more long-lasting.
This machine also comes with two metal clamps for stability, spare needles, two stoppers for flat panel knitting, as well as a plastic needle for casting off.
Buy now £144.00, Amazon
Silver Viscount Reed LK150 Knitting Machine
The LK150 by Silver Viscount is an incredibly popular flat bed knitting machine for a variety of reasons.
Not only it reasonably priced for a brand-new machine, but it is suitable for beginners, easy to use and capable of producing a variety of different garments. With a 150-needle strong width, you’ll be able to create pieces of different shapes and sizes faster than you can say ‘hey presto!’
The specially designed roller-capped latch needle ensures smooth and quiet operation, and the kit comes with an abundance of helpful accessories including: two clamps, a crochet hook, transfer tools, tappet tool, needle pusher, a latch needle, a tapestry needle, cast-on thread, punch card set, and so much more. The LK150 is a brilliant investment for knitters looking to take their craft to the next level without breaking the bank.
Buy now £430.00, Amazon
Silver SK280 Knitting Machine
A step-up from the LK150, the Silver SK280 is better suited to knitting high quality standard gauge items. Perfect for creating bigger ticket items at a record speed, this machine has a whopping 200 needles and is also capable of knitting two colours of yarn at the same time. With the help of the included punch card accessory, you’ll be able to craft Fair Isle and lace patterns quicker than ever.
Buy now £760.00, Wool Barn
Brother KH 965 Standard Gauge Electronic Knitting Machine
A machine that is usually sold re-purposed at upwards of £1,000, this Brother KH 965 might need some TLC upon arrival – but it’s nothing an expert crafter can’t achieve with a few online tutorials. Set to elevate your knitting experience far beyond what you thought was possible with a flat bed machine, this electronic option allows you to input the pattern you desire, sit back, relax and watch the magic happen.
Equipped with 200 knitting needles and a needle pitch of 4.5mm, the Brother KH 965 is suitable for both beginners and experts. Explore pattern variations with the touch of a button and save up to 254,000 different stitches in the machine’s memory drive. This machine is also capable of creating jacquard knitting, pin tuck patterns, racking patterns, and fully automatic jersey stitches.
Buy now £123.00, eBay
Verdict
Beloved by beginners and experts alike, the Sentro is a sound entry point into the world of knitting machines. When it comes to flat bed machines, the Silver Viscount Reed LK150 is an excellent all-rounder.
