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5 Best Knitting Machines in 2022: Buying Guide

You’ve started enjoying knitting, and you suddenly want to make gifts for your family. However, as much as you want to make new projects, there just isn’t enough time in the day for all the colorful shawls, jumpers, and socks you want to make.

There are plenty of knitting machines designed to help you knit your favorite items in a shorter time. You don’t know what to buy? No worries, I’ve made a list of the best knitting machines perfect for any occasion.

So, let’s get right into it and see which are the best knitting machines out there!

A Quick Look at My Favorite Knitting Machines

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Addi Express Knitting Machine

Addi Express Knitting Machine

9.7
Check Price on Amazon
Tulip i-Cord Knitter Machine

Tulip i-Cord Knitter Machine

9.5
Check Price on Amazon
SENTRO Knitting Machine

SENTRO Knitting Machine

9.1
Check Price on Amazon
Prym MIDI Knitting Mill Machine

Prym MIDI Knitting Mill Machine

8.8
Check Price on Amazon
Smart Weaver Knitting machine

Smart Weaver Knitting machine

8.6
Check Price on Amazon

Key Takeaways

  • There are many different types of knitting machines suitable for different purposes. 
  • Machines that have a lower number of features, but are also lower in price, such as the Sentro Knitting Machine, are great for beginners 
  • Complex machines with dual fuel and ignition systems like the Addi Express Kingsize Knitting Machine are more expensive, but also more reliable and the overall best pick for everyone, but especially experienced knitters
  • When it comes to choosing between knitting machines, there are options available for kids, such as the Smart Weaver 40-pin Knitting Machine, which comes with extra safety measures and a simple manual that contains the basics of knitting. 
  • Knitting is a great hobby and you can use knitting machines to make socks, mittens, gloves, beanies, scarves, and even sweaters and cardigans! 

Top 5 Best Knitting Machines

There is a wide selection of knitting machines available nowadays. This includes flat knitting machines and circular knitting machine or fully traditional machines. Without any delay, let’s look at the 5 best knitting machines on the list.

5. Addi Express Kingsize Knitting Machine

This Addi knitting machine is a 35cm kingsize stationary knitting machine perfect for anyone. Decide what you want to knit and get to work.

It is a circular multipurpose knitting machine that can be used for anything you want to make; whether it is a sweater, shawl, socks, beanie, scarf, or even a cardigan. It comes in black color, with additional needles and an instructions manual inside. It is very sturdy and easy to use.

Summary

What I Like About It

  • Black, 35cm kingsize knitting machine, one of the largest machines of its kind
  • Dual Fuel Type
  • Stainless Steel Burner
  • Ignition System
  • Additional needles, instructions, and a weight

What I Dislike About It

  • The needles are easily breakable
  • Doesn’t work as well with thin fibers
  • More expensive than other plastic knitting machines

Why Should You Buy It?

This machine has a good value for money and is pretty sustainable. It’s sturdy because of the table clamps that hold it down and works a lot faster than just using your hands.

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4. Tulip i-Cord Knitter Machine

The Tulip i-Cord Knitter is a trendy knitting tool that slightly looks like a blender. It’s very user-friendly and allows you to make any wool project, accessory, or home decor items.

This is done in a very simple way, by just rotating the handle. Comes together with a crochet hook needle and a weight.

Summary

What I Like About It

  • Works well with size 4 weight
  • It is fun and fashionable
  • Looks like the Japanese models of knitting machines
  • Easy to use

What I Dislike About It

  • Turning the handle too fast tangles the yarn

Why Should You Buy It?

It’s stylish and well-made. Once you learn how to properly use it you’ll get a 2-weeks-worth project done in a matter of minutes.


3. Sentro Knitting Machine

With 48 needles, the Sentro Knitting Machine is a favorite among knitting beginners and people looking to get into knitting. It is another circular machine, but with fewer features than Addi. It’s made of plastic, making it lighter than stainless steel alternatives. You can also find it for much cheaper than other knitting machines.

However, one major downside to the Sentro is that there are lots of off-brand imitations online, so you need to watch out and avoid buying them at a seemingly lower price. It’s also limited to up to size 4 weight yarn. Some people have tried using heavier yarn for it, but this puts the machine at risk of jamming.

Summary

What I Like About It

  • Great for beginners
  • Cheaper price than other knitting machines
  • Lightweight because it’s made of plastic
  • Usually comes with extras, such as some extra yarn for practice, knitting needles, and a crochet needle with a hook

What I Dislike About It

  • It’s not as high quality as some other knitting machines
  • It can’t safely work with more than 4 weight yarn
  • Lots of knockoffs are sold online for lower prices and you might mistakenly buy those

Why Should You Buy It?

It’s a great option if you’re just starting out or haven’t started out and are looking to get into knitting with a new machine. It has all the basics, but that’s about it.

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2. Prym MIDI Knitting Machine

This is a semi-automatic knitting machine manufactured in Germany. It is easy to use and works at relatively fast rates. A huge benefit of this knitting machine is that you can use it for knitting tubes of up to a diameter of 13 inches and flat panels of up to 17 inches.

It also comes at fair prices, putting it on the cheaper side of the knitting machine ranking. My favorite practical thing about it is that it comes with a handle on the lid, making it easy to carry around wherever you want.

It doesn’t work very well with thinner yarn and can sometimes take a bit of experimenting to find which yarn works best. Many users recommend that you start slowly with it so that no stitches are dropped, and it’s not recommended for larger projects.

Summary

What I Like About It

  • Works best for small projects
  • Can knit tubes and flat panels
  • Relatively cheap price
  • Easily transportable with a handle
  • Semi-automatic knitting machine made in Germany

What I Dislike About It

  • Doesn’t work well with thinner yarn
  • Not recommended for larger projects

Why Should You Buy It?

If you only knit smaller projects and you’re working with a lower budget, the Pyrm MIDI Knitting Machine is a good option that’ll satisfy all your needs.


1. Smart Weaver 40-pin Knitting Machine for Children

This is one of the more specific knitting machines on this list because it’s a product manufactured mostly for children to use. This doesn’t mean that any adult knitting beginner shouldn’t also try it out. It comes with a safer needle, some yarn to start off right away, and a booklet containing everything a kid would need to understand in simple terms the basics of knitting. Because it’s a simple machine, the price is also very low.

However, this also comes at the cost of it being very limited in terms of features. The hand crank it has requires no batteries, and it’s generally harder to do any serious knitting with this machine. Not all types of yarn work effectively with it and it’s really only viable if you use the yarn that comes with it.

What I Like About It

  • Low price due to its simplicity
  • Additional safety measures so children can use it
  • Includes a booklet that teaches the basics of knitting

What I Don’t Like About It

  • Very limited in terms of features
  • Not intended for serious knitting projects
  • Only works well if you use the yarn that comes with the packaging

Why Should You Buy It?

This is the perfect knitting machine if you want to teach your child how to knit, but want the extra safety measures to make it an enjoyable activity. The booklet inside is simple and easy to use, making it a good guide for kids.

Summary

What I Like About It

  • Low price due to its simplicity
  • Additional safety measures so children can use it
  • Includes a booklet that teaches the basics of knitting

What I Dislike About It

  • Very limited in terms of features
  • Not intended for serious knitting projects
  • Only works well if you use the yarn that comes with the packaging

Why Should You Buy It?

This is the perfect knitting machine if you want to teach your child how to knit, but want the extra safety measures to make it an enjoyable activity. The booklet inside is simple and easy to use, making it a good guide for kids.

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Buying Guide

What kind of projects do you want to make – big or small?

When searching for a knitting machine to buy you need to take into account what you want to use the machine for. Maybe you want to make small baby accessories for your grandkid, or you want to make big projects such as blankets and long cardigans; either way, you can buy a knitting machine for a specific purpose, if you know what that is.

If you don’t know yet what you want to make, that’s fine too. You can just buy a machine that is suitable for any kind of project and has all the necessary features.

Do you care about the complexities of your patterns?

What you look for can also be determined by the complexity of the patterns you want to make. This can be anything from a simple garter stitch to anything that has more dimension, like a fisherman’s stitch, mountain peaks, or a brioche. Do you want to make intricate patterns using multiple different types of yarn? Well, look no further than a flat machine.

Do you want an electric or manual machine with a handle?

This one just comes to personal preference and depends on what you want to use the machine for. The knitting machines with a crank handle are a lot slower than ones that are electric and include your manual turning of the handle for them to knit properly.

They’ve gotten faster in recent years, but are in no way as fast as electric knitting machines. However, some people prefer the crank handle knitting machines for their simplicity and easy usage.

What is your price range?

Your price range is a crucial factor to consider in what kind of knitting machine you are willing to buy. There are plenty of good and bad knitting machines out there. So, the price, of course, matters when you are searching for the best knitting machine on the market.

Naturally, you can buy an expensive knitting machine for daily recreational usage, if you have the money for it. A good durable, well-built knitting machine is made out of stainless steel or any other type of metal or durable material. This also means that it’s going to cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

This is obviously not the price range for someone who is a beginner or a knitting enthusiast. The less expensive knitting machines might look like toys, but there are some that are genuinely worth your money. And even if they aren’t as durable, you can fix them up or even buy new parts that cost a lot less.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you make with a knitting machine?

You can use knitting machines for a variety of knitting projects. Anything you can make knitting by hand, you can also make with a knitting machine, but some knitting machines only have specific purposes. Usually, though, you can use a knitting machine to knit socks, mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, and even sweaters!

Are knitting machines easy to use?

Although they can seem intimidating to those who are used to knitting by hand, knitting machines are actually very easy to use once you master them. To start off, you should pick a machine that’s recommended for beginners and isn’t hard to operate.

Which are better, circular or flat knitting machines?

The difference between circular and flat knitting machines is that circular ones knit in the round but also have a flat panel, whereas flat knitting machines usually don’t have the privilege of knitting in a circle. Therefore, circular knitting machines are better, because they can do both.

Final Words

Knitting machines are great tools for getting work done faster and more efficiently, especially when it comes to longer and more tedious knitting activities.

This allows you to make scarves, socks,  blankets, sweaters, or accessories for babies and adults in a much shorter time than if you knit by hand. Buying a knitting machine will shorten the process of knitting and help you produce a lot more knitting projects than you can even imagine making with just your hands. Making DIY fashionable outfits has never been easier!