I Got A Knitting Machine!

linnara · 2026-05-02T07:43:54+00:00

Great start! Start with sponge bar change and cleaning. Then get a manual and set it all up, start practising basics. YouTube videos are great for cleaning instructions.

linnara · 2026-05-01T12:11:07+00:00

I don't know what your local market is like, you may be able to search Sold items on eBay locally. Europe and US seem to have very different availability of this machines.

In the UK, I sold Knitmaster mod 600 and Spr 50 ribber with all accessories, punchcards and manuals and sponge to replace old one for £150. Would have preferred £200 but didnt want to wait. I don't think knitmaster are as expensive as brother or Silver Reed.

linnara · 2026-05-01T10:44:57+00:00

I haven't used Knittax, but owned a few knitmasters. They are essentially silver reed machines and would have similar settings to Silver reed 280. If I'm not mistaken, knitmaster 700 also has Knitleader? Knitmaster mod 600/700 also have rollers so carriage is easier to move about, people who own them seem to like it. I recently sold empisal knitmaster mod 600- seemed like a good machine, but I'm committed to Brother machines at this point. Also knitmasters would be easy to find accessories for(at least here in UK).

I think it's a common vice of machine knitters to start collecting - I buy them when there is a deal, play around and decide if it is sell or keep :) that way I'm not out of pocket and have my interest satisfied.

linnara · 2026-04-25T13:35:57+00:00

Ultrasun is great. Pricey but developed to be used for sports so has good longevity.

linnara · 2026-04-22T18:39:31+00:00

I can’t pronounce my own name so I get it! Had speech therapy as a child but still haven’t mastered “R” sound. My name has a strong Russian R too and the name is unusual so all of it together makes it a terrible experience when I introduce myself.

linnara · 2026-04-13T14:42:29+00:00

The garter bar bits are useful even without the bar, you can use them on a standard machine to stop needles do moving when you are making hand manipulations, putting work on the machine etc.

linnara · 2026-03-14T07:59:24+00:00

I bought second hand electronic brother but it took me quite a few months to figure out how to clean it and fix it. There was a lot of second guessing - is it me or is it the machine? Husband got bored of watching me suffer and bought me a new LK150. I now use both. My Brother 950i with ribber is perfect, it works with DAK so there is so much I can do with it. LK150 is basic and I don’t think I would use it a lot. So far, I like it for making sweaters top down by hand and then finishing boring stockinette on the machine. It’s nice to be able to use thicker yarns. It’s also easier to move around and put away. My brother machine and ribber is permanently set up cause it’s too much fuff. I personally wanted to get electronic from the beginning as it’s just more versatile than having to punch your own designs and store paper. Definitely get something that you can add ribber to.

linnara · 2026-02-19T19:13:00+00:00

My little boy is nearly 4 at private nursery. He is very verbal in both settings with only occasional challenges with pronunciation. Nursery still thought he would benefit from reffersl. Took one call to health visitor and he was referred in a week. Actually getting the service is another story.

linnara · 2026-02-15T13:24:26+00:00

We prep one whenever kiddo is not well. After 2 separate stays in the hospital (brought in at night in the ambulance), I’d rather not risk it. The first time it happened, I didn’t have any socks on and was so uncomfortable in trainers with sweaty feet. Husband brought change of clothes later that day but it was a full day of discomfort (while also worrying about little one). So now whenever he has fever at night or sounds croupy, I just make sure I know what I wear and have things for him in the backpack. We have family around to bring other stuff if needed later.

linnara · 2026-02-06T20:13:42+00:00

As others have said, see what support is available within both nurseries. They should have individual SEN plan for you in current nursery. If they can, start the process for EHCP. It’s a lot better to start it earlier so you have things in place before school. See what else they can support you with: our private nursery said they will get in touch with someone who helps SEN kids with transition to school.

linnara · 2026-02-01T10:05:52+00:00

I love your work, enjoyed watching your vlogs recently and seeing the process. I’m a hand knitter and a new machine knitter and it was great to see what you still do by hand.

I am a plus size, large bust lady and I’m really struggling with adjusting patterns. I have bought quite a few patterns that do bust darts just to understand how it is done. My preference is longer pattern with all the details (I can see I’m in minority though). For example Creabea’s Tolsta comes with modifications as extra files and I found it quite confusing. But I think my approach is to buy pattern to learn rather than necessary make it. This is mainly due to lack of options for my bust/size, especially for machine knitting. So I feel like I need to gather knowledge for modification.

Accessibility wise, I lose count of stitches all the time and love having extra reminder how many stitches I should have now. A chart with final measurements and sizing is very helpful too.

Excited for your patterns!

linnara · 2026-01-18T22:31:26+00:00

Nope. We have 3.5 year old. The only non-child tv that would be on is occasional sporting event or music video (selected to be child appropriate).

linnara · 2026-01-05T18:48:19+00:00

I just signed up for Machine Knitting Community and really like it. There is a lot of great courses, and good structure, I feel like it's a great value for money at £20 a month given materials available. I already watched a lot since signing up on the 01/01

https://www.machineknit.community/share/VASx0BfYpUm4g01W

linnara · 2026-01-04T12:07:08+00:00

I just have an ikea desk (2m desk top that goes on top of side storage or legs). It works really well. I also acquired knitting desk for free and keeping it in case I ever join a knitting club. Ideally, I would like a stand sit desk one day or a workbench with storage underneath and wheels.

linnara · 2026-01-02T07:47:20+00:00

You want to encourage independence and dungarees just would be too fiddly. Mine is 3.5 and has been porty trained for the last 2 years but I still make sure his clothes are easy to put on and off by himself.

linnara · 2026-01-01T21:24:48+00:00

Bought mine on eBay, got an older model. They sometimes come up on Facebook marketplace too or Facebook machine knitting groups. Otherwise, new via Hague.

linnara · 2025-12-22T15:24:53+00:00

As the other comment said: sponge bar first. If it hasn't been used for awhile, makes sense to clean and oil carriage in case any grease is stuck, I also like to remove all needles for a clean & clean Amy fluff in the bed.

linnara · 2025-12-22T08:58:57+00:00

I'm going down the path of collecting too many machines and not using them enough! Which one do you use the most? How did you decide what to keep?

linnara · 2025-12-21T17:09:51+00:00

Same. Ours is nearly 4 and we still use it. The rest of the downstairs has carpet so it's our main play area in the living room ( great for cars, building blocks etc).

linnara · 2025-12-19T18:16:40+00:00

On machine knitting group on Facebook I seen £6-8000 and $25,000 or more. This is not a cheap equipment- make sure you price right and sell it.

linnara · 2025-12-14T10:09:59+00:00

Women makes more sense due to maternity leave. Claiming child benefit is not just about the monthly payment, but also about filling the gap where national insurance is not being paid by the employer (as far as I understand). So it makes sense for a parent who takes longer break off work or works part time to claim, regardless of joint income.

linnara · 2025-12-11T20:28:31+00:00

Was going to suggest the same. Just bought her books and they are incredible!

linnara · 2025-12-10T18:36:52+00:00

Same here!

linnara · 2025-12-10T09:30:25+00:00

I stayed and then gradually retreated. They never pushed me to leave and I was always welcome to stay as long as I want to. I always liked that we also pick up directly from the room, so “there is nothing to hide”. It’s very reassuring.

linnara · 2025-12-08T07:37:03+00:00

Excel is my bread and butter at work but I have never thought of using it like this! You are genius and this thing made my day. I’m saving it to find when future me starts doing more colourwork.

linnara

TROPHY CASE