The Pros and Cons of Using a Knitting Machine
Hand knitting is believed to have originated prior to the eleventh century. References to knitting in historic literature, as well as knitted artifacts, have been found in Europe, Egypt, and other locations around the world. The first primitive knitting machines began to appear just prior to the Industrial Revolution.
Knitting machines have evolved tremendously over the years. Once requiring the operator to do most of the work, many of today’s machines are computerized and motorized. Here are some of the pros and cons of knitting machines.
Pros
* A knitting machine makes knitting much faster. A piece that would take days to do by hand can be completed on a machine in no time. This is especially beneficial for those who sell their knit items, because they can produce more products in less time.
* Pieces that are knitted by machine tend to be more uniform than those that are hand knitted. The machine’s tension provides a nice, even texture that even the most experienced knitters are hard pressed to replicate.
* Motorized knitting machines are good for those with arthritis and similar ailments. They greatly reduce the need to use one’s hands, allowing those who physically cannot knit by hand to create knitted items.
Cons
* There are certain stitches that knitting machines do not do well. These must be done by hand for maximum quality, so if a piece contains a large number of such stitches, it might make more sense to knit it by hand.
* Each knitting machine is designed to work with a specific type of yarn. The needles are set according to which type is to be used. So if you want to work with a different type of yarn, you can’t use your machine to do it.
* Knitting machines are rather expensive. So unless you’re going to use one fairly frequently, it may not be worth the price.
* You can’t really take a knitting machine with you like you can hand knitting. It must be clamped to a table, so when you’re knitting by machine, you’re confined to a certain area.
* Like any other machine, a knitting machine is subject to errors. They can jam, parts can break, and things can just go wrong in general. These are things you don’t have to worry about when hand knitting.
Many knitters combine machine knitting with hand knitting to get the desired results. They use the machine to do pieces such as backs and sleeves that are made completely of stockinette, and do the more complex parts by hand. This allows them to get the finished product done much faster without making extensive adjustments to the machine.
Using a knitting machine has its advantages and disadvantages. If you’re knitting as a hobby, whether or not to use a machine is a matter of your own preferences. Both machine knitting and hand knitting can produce lovely pieces.
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