What to Look for When Buying a Used Knitting Machine

17 August 2022

Sponsored in part by:

Ad description: Cover of the book Sheep, Shepherd & Land, and the words, "THE book about Canadian Wool, by Anna Hunter. Photos by Christel Lanthier. Buy now."

Ad description: The words, "The socks you knit won't last forever, but you can make them last for years and years. Shop now." Also featuring the cover image of the Sock Mending Guide.

So, you want to be a machine knitter.

You’ve watched videos on basic stitches, you know which gauge you want (standard, mid-gauge, or bulky), and machine knitting—taken step-by-step—looks straightforward. A brand-new machine is expensive ($2,000–$5,000), but a used machine can be a more affordable option ($250–$700). The best places to search for a used machine are internet marketplaces like eBay and Kijiji. I use Singer/Silver Reed brand machines, but I’ve heard that Brother/KnitKing machines are reliable.

After browsing online, you’ve found a used machine. Now, how do you ensure that the machine and tools you’ve found are in working order before completing the purchase? What tools, accessories and features do you need?

All images credit Maghan Wilson.

Copyright © Magan Wilson except as indicated.
DSC_6653

About Magan Wilson

Magan Wilson is a potter turned fibre artist with a love of plants, experimentation, cats, and the hidden beauty of the natural world. Her love of glaze chemistry and form transformed into a love of dyes, fibre, felt, and knitwear. Her work catches the wholeness of existing in the present. The wild nature of the world that flourishes on the fringes of awareness. Chasing the idea of a 'wild night' you can find her work via her alias of Oíche Rua (EE-ha RU-ah), an Irish phrase capturing the chaos and wild beauty of the night sky. https://oicherua.substack.com/

Related Posts

Get 10% off!

Join our mailing list to get special Studio Membership pricing! PLUS hear about new Digits & Threads content and community news.

Subscription success! Well done, you.