Megan Lynch (she/her)

I've seen a number of toots about knitting machines in the last year.

My first encounter with a circular knitting machine like that was as a toy from Mattel in the '70s. It was made of plastic, it was probably a little bigger than the old metal ones were. And you could use it to knit a tube. I grew tired of it soon because I didn't know how to make the tube into socks, didn't know how to make the tube into anything useful and interesting to me.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126945558490 #knitting

Vintage Mattel Circular The Knitting Machine 1970’s | eBay

This is a vintage Mattel circular knitting machine from the 1970s, known as "The Knitting Machine." It is a type of knitter manufactured in the United States.

eBay
Dec 15 at 11:34amWeb
Show threadGinevraCatDec 15

@meganL I had a beast of a knitting machine in the late 80s - probably at least 90cm wide, that had initially belonged to my aunt.

It was fascinating to use, but like you, I never really figured out how to use it to get anything except the default output - a giant rectangle.

I think a number of my dolls ended up with machine-knitted blankets! :D

Show threadKerr Avonsen (she/her)Dec 15

@meganL But they really ARE excellent at making tubes, and given that needle-knitting in a circle is quite awkward, I have found my knitting machines to be quite useful. But no, I have not used them to make socks.
I've made scarves, shawls, and beanies for the most part. I even made a large rectangular open-front poncho for myself. Knit four large tubes and then steeked them, and then joined them all together.

#knitting #KnittingMachines

Show threadHeatherMJDec 15
@kerravonsen @meganL
Steeking is terrifying
Show threadKerr Avonsen (she/her)Dec 15
@HeatherMJ @meganL Steeking is magic.
Show threadyazzeaDec 15
@meganL Knitting machines, whether flat or circular, are so much fun! 🤩
I am quite proficient at my circular machines (metal, one antique, one modern), but I still haven’t really mastered the flatbed ones.
I make a lot of socks with the circular knitting machines, and I can do that on the flatbed, too, but I have managed but one sweater so far, with questionable fit.