All About Knitting Mills

The phrase "knitting machine" is associated with a bulky metal device among handicraft lovers. It was possible to create factory quality knitwear at home. But working on such a unit required certain skills, and quite a lot of space was needed to place it in an apartment. The bulky predecessors were replaced by a new portable device for needlewomen - the knitting mill.

The knitting mill is a portable hand-held knitting machine. It can be placed on a table, sofa, or just on your lap. Most parts of the device are made of impact-resistant plastic, so it is very lightweight. It does not require an electrical connection as it works mechanically.

We use ordinary yarn of medium thickness for hand knitting. It is not difficult to master knitting on such a device, it is safe to use. They are happy to use it to create the first things they do-it-yourself.

Depending on the model, such a machine can be used to knit both small items (plaits, cords, scarves, accessories) and larger items (hats, children's and adult clothes, blankets).

A knitting mill consists of a main part (fountain), a carriage or a hook, a thread tension regulator and a handle. Some models can be equipped with an electronic row counter.

Fontoura has the form of a ring with small pins along the upper edge.In accordance with the accepted terminology, they are called needles, although it is almost impossible to prick with them: they are made of plastic and rounded at the top. Ring-shaped mills are used for circular knitting, as well as for working in the forward and reverse direction. The dimensions of the product depend on the dimensions of the machine, so craftswomen often purchase several mills of different diameters for knitting parts of various sizes.

A thread is passed between the needles of the fontura, forming loops. Depending on how it is located, when knitting, various types of fabric are obtained: front or back stitch, elastic, jacquard, etc. To obtain ornaments, threads of different colors are used simultaneously.

A carriage or a hook moves along the upper edge of the fountain, which grabs the working thread and weaves it with the loops on the needles. In outdated mills, the craftswoman had to do this work herself, manually threading the thread through the loops.

The finished canvas passes in the center of the fontura ring and, as it is ready, goes down. As in ordinary hand knitting, in the process of working on the mill, you can reduce the loops and increase, close the edge of the finished product, giving the canvas the required shape. The mill works almost silently and quickly. A small product can be knitted on it in just 15-20 minutes.

There are various knitting mill models on the market. They differ mainly in size, price, appearance and equipment.

This car looks more like a child's toy. She has a bright design, funny design. Therefore, it is often purchased as a gift, and not only for girls, but also for boys. Its cost is lower compared to more serious models, but it is great for creating the first self-made knits. The circular pattern for 21 needles allows you to knit in a circle (product diameter - up to 15 cm), as well as in the forward and backward direction (fabric width - 20 cm). This device is positioned as entertainment, so it is not very durable and does not involve intensive use. But for the first experiments in needlework, this is a great option.

Another version of the toy mill designed for children... As the name of the model suggests, it was developed by the specialists of the famous German company, therefore it is distinguished by its strength and reliability. Despite the bright and slightly frivolous design, you can create full-fledged products up to 10 cm in diameter and up to 18 cm in width on it. It is recommended for children from 8 years old, is easy to use and allows you to quickly get an excellent result.

This is another version of a miniature mill with an original design. In appearance, it looks more like a coffee grinder than a knitting tool. The fontura is closed on top with a transparent lid, so you can knit by putting the mill on your knees and simply rotating the handle. On 16 needles, you can knit only small products up to 6 cm in diameter when knitting in a circle and up to 12 cm in width when knitting a straight fabric. The capabilities of this mill are limited to working with smooth yarns only. Textured and fluffy ones will get stuck between the needles, so they are not suitable for knitting on this machine.

One of the most popular knitting machines. It is distinguished by the ability to create rather large products.... The maximum diameter of the circular fabric is 35 cm, it also allows you to knit straight pieces up to 45 cm wide. There are 46 needles on the fontour, and there is an electronic row counter. The mill allows you to work with yarns of different thickness (from 3 to 8 mm) and combine different textures.The set includes a training disc with mill knitting lessons and holders with which the device can be securely fixed to the table top.

The smallest mill, which is well-deservedly popular due to its high strength. It allows you to work in an intensive mode and has a very high productivity. The circular fountain is designed for only 22 needles, so it can be used to knit a circular cloth with a diameter of no more than 15 cm, and straight pieces are 15-20 cm wide.It is ideal for knitting socks, gaiters, scarves, harness details and small decorative elements. This mill is also equipped with an electronic row counter and can handle a variety of yarns. The product is complete with a training disc and table holders.

Addi knitting mills are often sold in sets, which allows you to save money on your purchase by getting a discount on your set purchase.

Mills are successfully used for knitting leggings, golfs, socks. The possibility of circular knitting allows you to knit a pair of such products in just an hour, and baby things are made even faster. It will take only 15-30 minutes to make hats, snoods, scarves, depending on the size. Using the mill, you can knit individual parts of large products: sweaters, vests, blankets using patchwork and intarsia techniques.

Trendy accessories are also knitted at mills: belts, necklaces, bracelets from plaits. The capabilities of these machines can be used for the manufacture of parts for bags, backpacks and clutches, as well as individual decorative parts of knitted appliques.

Knitting mills allow a person who has never been involved in needlework to feel like a real master... Replenishing your wardrobe with a new product made by yourself will become a source of positive mood and joy for a long time.