Best Knitting Machines Although knitting is a fun pastime, using a knitting machine makes it easier to see projects through.
Not only does it speed up the process, but it makes it easy to take on different projects without prior experience.
They are going to take a lot of the strain out of knitting and can make planning color schemes and making larger items possible.
This is only when using a quality product. The problem is that since demand has increased, there are a lot of sub-par products on the market.
To help make this purchase easier, and to ensure you land a quality machine, we have created a list of the best knitting machines available.
- Editor’s Choice
Miaoke Knitting Machine, 40 Needles Smart Weaving Loom Knitting Round Loom (Amazon) – Review - Best 48 Needle
Fygain Knitting Machine, 48 Needles Knitting Loom Machine with Row Counter (Amazon) – Review - Best Affordable
22 Needles Knitting Machine, Smart Sewing Machine (Amazon) – Review - Best For Kids
SEAAN Knitting Machine, Smart Weaving Loom Knitting Round Loom (Amazon) – Review - Best Craft Weaving Loom
Melissa & Doug Multi-Craft Weaving Loom (Amazon) – Review
Editor’s Choice: Miaoke Knitting Machine, 40 Needles Smart Weaving Loom Knitting Round Loom
Another excellent knitting machine, this one offers 40 needles to take on sizeable projects quickly.
It is also available in the larger 48 needle size but we like this one for the convenience and compact size.
At ten inches wide, the tube doesn’t take up a lot of room on the craft table but can be switched between flat and round stitches in seconds.
The plastic materials have a sturdy feel to them and there is no odor when opening the packaging.
The included accessories are also generous as they come with a wireframe, full set of crochet, 2 hand pins, 4 wool bundles, and more.
Set up is easy enough and is a popular knitting machine for making hats, scarves, and other winter warmers.
Best Knitting Machines.
- Available in different sizes
- Ten-inch tube
- Lots of accessories included
- Compact
Best 48 Needle: Fygain Knitting Machine, 48 Needles Knitting Loom Machine with Row Counter
This is one of the best knitting machines because it has everyone required to get a head start on knitting.
Are 48 needles included and it is one of the easier products to install.
So, once it is set up, the knitting choices.
This product provides two to choose from and can easily be switched between a plain knit and a tube knit.
Flat or round stitches can be made with the hand crank operation so it only takes seconds to make multiple stitches.
The choices this knitting machine gives the user are impressive. We like that it can be used to make hats, scarves, leg warmers, socks, and other clothing items.
The plastic helps to keep the cost down but it still has a quality feel and comes with plenty of accessories including 3 hand needles, suction cups, a wireframe, 4 bundles of different colored yarn, and more.
- 48 needles included
- Easy to set up
- Simple mechanism
- Plain knit and tube knit
- Can be a little noisy at times
Best Knitting Machines Affordable: 22 Needles Knitting Machine, Smart Sewing Machine
Although this can be used by adults for simple projects, it is the best knitting machine for kids.
The simple handle mechanism makes it easy to create stitches and speeds to process up for frustration-free knitting.
Shaped like a rabbit, it features 22 stitches which are plenty for making socks, scarves, and leg covers.
There is an easy-to-use switch for moving between the loom and plain weave and a yarn slack adjuster.
Screwing the yarn into the spindle is easy enough and this is one of the few steps that are needed for making this knitting machine work.
The best thing about this product is that it requires zero experience to use, is easy to set up, and has excellent value.
- 22 stitches
- Switch between the loom and plain weave
- Easy to use
- Includes yarn
- Some people will want more stitches
Best Knitting Machines For Kids: SEAAN Knitting Machine, Smart Weaving Loom Knitting Round Loom
Ideal for kids, this is the best knitting machine for smaller hands.
With 40 needles to help make the process easier, there is no row counter though which is usually good to help stay on top of designs.
However, mixing colors is made easy. The mechanism is simple and the machine can be used to create scarves, hats, socks, and more.
There are neat features to make life easier such as a yarn tension adjuster and a manual crank.
With a plain weave and t-ring weave conversion key, it can be put to different uses and because the manual is easy to follow, this is the best knitting machine made simple for kids.
There are 3 yarns included and a hand crank mechanism that is smooth and makes it easy to see the knitted design coming to life.
- 40 needles
- Easy to switch between weaves
- Tension adjuster
- Good value
- Does not include a counter
Best Craft Weaving Loom: Melissa & Doug Multi-Craft Weaving Loom
It’s a bit of a wildcard, but this is another excellent choice for kids.
The weaving loom is simple to use and is a great way to relax a create unique designs that last.
There is everything needed for a beginner including a wooden weaving loom, an oversized wooden needle that is safe to use and easy to hold, other craft materials, and lots of yarn.
Although it doesn’t do a lot of the work for the user, this weaving loom stands 22 inches tall and gets the user away from a screen for a prolonged period.
4 craft projects include a carry-all, helping to ensure the result is useful and rewarding.
A great option for any parent wishing to introduce their child to something relaxing in the world of knitting.
- Great for kids
- 22 inches tall
- Easy to use
- Lots of yarn included
- Not strictly a knitting machine
Although the thought of staying at home and knitting may not have always appealed to some, the knitting world has experienced a resurgence of late.
This popular pastime can seem to take a long time to get from the first stitch to a hat, sock, or anything else. Because of this, quality knitting machines are in demand.
It’s understandable, but not everyone knows what the best should be capable of.
There are huge variations between the better products and those to be avoided.
To help you make an informed decision, we have created the following buyer’s guide.
Well, where did you think your knitted jumper from your favorite store came from?
Knitting machines, on an industrial scale, are found in factories around the world but are now being made for home use.
These compact, convenient machines make the task of knitting easy.
Considering how long it takes to get going and make even a small project such as a baby’s hat, a knitting machine can be a real-time saver.
They can come in semi-automated and automated form, with most of the household products requiring some level of human interaction and work.
They tend to come in three different variants, each one different in terms of gauge and weight of yarn.
The more complex stitches can be difficult to recreate on a machine, whilst some will have their limitations in this area.
Yarn
Make sure the best knitting machine you are considering is right for the projects you wish to use it for.
The yarn is going to be a big indicator of this. The thicker the yarn it is capable of using, the more options there are.
However, for a lot of household knitting machines, the most common yarn type is worsted as this can be used for hats, scarves, and similar-sized projects.
The latch hooks on a knitting machine will be set so they cannot accommodate different sizes so check before buying.
Row Gauge
Measuring the inches you knit is important when working with different patterns and colors.
It is easy to lose track of where you are as you knit, it is therapeutic after all! This is why a row gauge will come in handy.
Match the row gauge to the pattern to help plan.
Stitch Gauge
Even some of the most basic knitting machines feature a stitch gauge.
Some are more reliable than others but this is an important feature because it will help you match a pattern to a design.
Some machines use swatches to provide the correct gauge, a dial is always useful.
Best Knitting Machines
Needles
Depending on the design, needles become important.
The more needles there are, the larger the project that the knitting machine can take on.
A lot of beginner knitting machines feature anything from 22 to 48 needles.
This will also determine how quickly the machine can get through a project, so the more there are, the faster you can knit that scarf!
Accessories
This is always a plus point when it comes to knitting as you can never have too many accessories.
The same goes for a knitting machine so look for products with added yarn, screw hooks, replacement needles, and more.
Weave Options
Sometimes, you will want to work with a loom weave to get you going, then a plain.
A lot of quality best knitting machines offer both options, with a convenient switch to move between the two.
This can ensure a new project is easy to get started with.
Suction Pads
This will depend on the design, but a lot of products use them to keep them in place when turning the handle mechanism.
Otherwise, expect the knitting machine to move all over the craft table when you’re trying to pull the handle to move things along.
Not every brand uses this approach so if it isn’t meant to have them, then don’t fret.
Flatbed
As the name suggests, these are flat, simple-looking machines that create flat pieces.
They are mostly finished with side beams so that they can be stitched together but cannot be used to make patterns in the round.
A manual machine will require the user to do a lot of the moving of the needles to help recreate the pattern from a design.
A punch card machine takes a lot of the thinking out of the process as it will follow the design of the card.
Circular
Almost like a new wave of the best knitting machines, these are enjoyed by adults and kids alike.
This is because they are easy to use, affordable, and can still make quality designs.
There is plenty of manual work to be done to complete designs as the level must be turned to ensure the stitches are moved along.
We like them for their convenience and because they offer a gentle introduction to the world of the best knitting machines.
For us, there is no better than the Miaoke Knitting Machine, 40 Needles Smart Weaving Loom Knitting Round Loom.
It is available in a larger 48 needle size but this one feels good to work with.
The size also means it is easily portable. Miaoke has also ensured this is one of the more affordable products in the range, although this does mean more plastic parts.
Still, there is a quality feel to it, plenty of accessories included, and it is big enough to make scarves, hats, and other designs with ease.
The good news is that many machines are versatile enough to offer plenty of options.
So, the user is unlikely to run out of ideas and can put them to good use.
Some of the most common items a knitting machine can make include hats, socks, scarves, cozies, gloves, and when using a higher spec with a larger capacity – adult sweaters.
Not all machines are built the same, so be sure to check on the size and capability of the product under consideration before clicking buy.
Thankfully, these machines don’t have to cost a lot. To buy a quality product, it is worth investing a little more but a beginner’s circular knitting machine can be found for close to $50.
This should still include plenty of accessories, enough needles to make fast work of projects and a machine that will last a while.
When looking for flatbed knitting machines, expect to pay a lot more.
A punch card machine will cost around $1,000 but those with wider needle beds and a higher spec of materials can easily cost double.
Any hobby machine should cost under $100 so there is no need to stretch the budget unless you feel the need to.
