A big thank you to @Claire Amelia for her comment: "The resources are great — it will be interesting to see what comes up, but for my stage I'd need a refresh on setting up the machine the correct way as a starting learning point." You're not alone in that, Claire — and this guide is for you and every MkH member who hasn't set up a knitting machine before, or who just needs a little refresh. It's designed to work alongside your manual and will take you from A to B in a simple, unfussy way. So.... Whether you're still searching for your perfect machine, haven't switched one on yet, or yours has been sitting in its case since goodness knows when — this post is for you. Setting up a flatbed knitting machine for the first time (or the first time in a long time!) can feel a little overwhelming. Where does the yarn mast go? Which needles do what? What even is a tension dial? The truth is, once you know your machine's key parts and have worked through the setup in the right order, it all starts to make a lot of sense. And that's exactly what we're here for. I've just put together a step-by-step setup guide inside the Hub — covering everything from clamping your machine to the table, threading the yarn, understanding needle positions, and knitting your very first row. Calm, clear, and no experience assumed. Go take a look! 🧶 https://www.skool.com/machine-knitting-hub-6392/classroom/08e41754?md=0b5bf011a38541fe8340c001a81ae2fc And pop your feedback in the comments below 🙌

Maybe you've just ordered your first machine and you're waiting for it to arrive. Maybe it's sitting in its box right now and you're not quite sure where to start. Or perhaps you've had a machine for a while but life got in the way, the lid went back on, and now it feels like starting from scratch all over again. You are so in the right place. Everything we share inside the Hub is built with you in mind — clear, unhurried, and with no silly assumptions about what you should already know. We start at the beginning, and we go at a pace that actually works. So, a quick question to help us help you: Where are you right now with your machine setup? Pop your answer below - are you ready to start machine knitting ?👇

In this series I'll be exploring the differences between knitting machines, so that you can make an informed decision when buying your first knitting machine or upgrading your machine. I've chosen the Silver Reed SK280 and the Vintage Brother KH881 — which are great examples for knitters who want to be creative, but can't decide between a new machine and a vintage machine. Both machines are actually very similar at heart — standard gauge, 4.5mm pitch, 200 needles, and 24-stitch punch card patterning. The stitch options are almost identical too: Fair Isle, tuck, slip, punch lace, weaving, and plating. So whichever you choose, you're in good hands! Here's where they differ: 🧶 The Brother KH881 has a built-in Knit Leader — a charting device that helps you scale your patterns to your own tension and yarn. A lovely bonus, and one you'd pay extra for separately with the SK280. 🧶 The 881 also has a slight edge with fine lace capability. 🧶 The catch? It's a vintage machine, so parts and accessories rely on the secondhand market. 🧶 The Silver Reed SK280 is still in production, which means new parts, full dealer support, and a warranty. Peace of mind is worth a lot, especially when you're starting out! On price: 🧶 SK280 new: around £765 (discounted)–£999 from UK retailers. 🧶 Brother KH881 secondhand, fully serviced: around £299.99 from specialist UK dealers, though unserviced machines can be found for considerably less — sometimes £100–£200 depending on condition 🧶A well looked-after Brother 881 is a wonderful machine and fantastic value. A real workhorse in my opinion. I've still use mine and it's one of the machines I won't part with. 🧶But if budget stretches, the SK280 gives you that reassurance of buying new. Either way, you'll be knitting beautiful things — and I'm here to help you get the most from whichever you choose!

A look at one of the most popular entry-level machines around. If you're thinking about buying your first machine — or you're already knitting on an LK150 and wondering whether to upgrade — this is for you. ✦ The Pros 🧶 Affordable to buy new — a lower-risk way to discover if machine knitting is for you 🧶 Lightweight and portable — genuinely easy to carry to workshops, events, or a friend's house 🧶 Beginner-friendly — simple to learn on, so you can focus on building skills, not decoding the machine 🧶 Works with everyday yarns — DK and worsted weight, the yarns you'll find in any craft shop or stash 🧶 Produces a hand-knit look — soft, natural fabric that's ideal for pieces you want to sell No sponge bar to maintain — one less ongoing task ◇ The Cons 🧶 Plastic bed — needs gentle handling; not as robust as vintage metal-bed machines under heavy use 🧶 No punch card or automatic patterning — if colourwork is in your future plans, this machine can't take you there 🧶 No ribber attachment — true ribbed edges require hand manipulation, which adds time 🧶 Fussy about yarn quality — best with wool, acrylic, or blends; inelastic fibres like cotton can cause problems 🧶 Limited room to grow — lace, fine gauge, and electronic patterning each need a step up to a different machine The LK150 is a lovely workhorse for what it is — and many experienced Makers keep theirs for years. But if colourwork or high-volume production is your goal, it's worth knowing from the start that you may outgrow it. As always, the best machine is the one that fits where you are and where you're heading! ❓Have you knitted on an LK150? Share your experience in the comments 👇 — let's build up a picture together for our fellow Makers.