Best Knitting Machine (2026): 6 Picks, From Sentro to Flat-Bed
The best knitting machine for most home knitters is the Addi Express Kingsize, about $157, a 46-needle German crank machine with a 17.7 inch flat mode. Try a Sentro 48-needle for about $50 first if you are unsure. Circular crank machines make tubes and simple panels, not shaped sweaters; that takes a flat-bed machine.
For most people, the best knitting machine is the addi Express Kingsize, at about $157. It has 46 needles, a listed 13.8 inch circular mode and 17.7 inch flat mode, and a reputation among owners for lasting years longer than cheaper copies. If you just want to find out whether you like machine knitting, the SENTRO 48-Needle costs about $50 and does the same basic job.
Before you buy, one honest note: these round, hand-crank machines knit plain stockinette. They are wonderful for hats, scarves, leg warmers, pillow covers and blanket strips. They do not knit ribbing, cables or shaped sleeves. For garments with shaping, you need a flat-bed machine like the Silver Reed LK150, which is a different kind of tool with a steeper learning curve.
The knitting machines at a glance
| Product | Price | Needles | Machine type | Best at | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sentro 22-Needle | $25.64 | 22 | Circular crank | Tiny tubes, kids, pumpkins | Price |
 SENTRO 48-Needle | $50.32 | 48 | Circular crank | Trying machine knitting cheaply | Price |
 addi Express Pro 22 | $95.75 | 22 | Circular crank | Socks tubes, mittens, cords | Price |
 addi Express Kingsize | $157.12 | 46 | Circular crank | Hats, scarves, blanket strips | Price |
 addi I Want It All Set | $410.00 | 46 and 22 | Two crank machines | Both sizes plus patterns | Price |
| Silver Reed LK150 | See price | 150 stitches | Flat bed, carriage | Shaped garments | Find |
Beginner
Beginner picks: find out if you like it, under $60
A beginner machine should be cheap enough that it is fine if it ends up in the closet. Both of these are plastic, both use a hand crank, and both teach you the rhythm of weights, casting on and catching dropped stitches.
SENTRO 48-Needle Knitting Machine with Row Counter
$50.32At about $50, the 48-needle Sentro makes adult-size hats and scarves and has a built-in row counter. Owners frequently report dropped stitches while they learn to add weight to the fabric, and the plastic parts are not built for daily production, but as a trial run it is hard to beat.
Best for: Testing the hobby
Check price SENTRO 22-Needle Knitting Machine
$25.64The 22-needle version costs about $26 and makes narrow tubes for pumpkins, mug cozies and children's projects. Too small for adult hats, so buy it for fun or for a young crafter rather than as your main machine.
Best for: Kids and small tubes
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Intermediate
Intermediate picks: the German Addi machines, about $96 to $157
The Addi machines cost two to three times as much as a Sentro. What the money buys is precision parts made in Germany, replaceable needles, and far fewer owner complaints about the machine wearing out.
addi Express Kingsize Knitting Machine, 46 needles
$157.12The Kingsize has a listed 17.7 inch flat mode and 13.8 inch circular mode, and ships with a threading tool, four feet, two clamps, five spare needles and two stoppers. That width is what makes blanket strips and adult beanies practical.
Best for: Weekly use and gifts
Check price addi Express Professional Knitting Machine, 22 needles
$95.75The 22-needle Express Professional makes 4 to 6 inch tubes and 6 to 8 inch flat pieces. It suits mittens, boot cuffs, cords and the tube section of a sock, and it pairs well with a Kingsize later.
Best for: Small tubes with better parts
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Expert
Expert picks: both Addi sizes, or a true flat-bed machine
Who should not buy this tier: anyone who has never used a crank machine, and anyone hoping a flat-bed machine is simply a faster version of hand knitting. The LK150 is closer to learning a new craft, with its own manuals, classes and forums.
addi I Want It All Knitting Machine Pro Set (Kingsize and Express Pro)
$410.00About $410 buys both the 46-needle Kingsize and the 22-needle Express Pro, three pattern books, two packs of replacement needles, a stopper and the addiExpress hook. It makes sense for makers who sell hats and cowls and want a second machine running.
Best for: Small-batch makers
Check priceSilver Reed LK150 Mid-Gauge Flat Knitting Machine
A 6.5 mm mid-gauge flat-bed machine with 150 stitches and a carriage you push across the bed. It can increase, decrease and shape pieces, which is the route to sweaters. Amazon listings come from resellers, so this links to a search; check the seller carefully.
Best for: Shaped garments
Find on AmazonPrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What can you make with a knitting machine?
A circular crank machine knits one thing well: a tube of stockinette. That sounds limiting until you count what a tube can become. Owners use them for:
- Hats and beanies: knit a tube, gather one end, fold up a double brim.
- Scarves and cowls: a flattened tube is thick, warm and has no curling edges.
- Pillow covers and leg warmers: straight tubes, closed with a seam.
- Blanket strips: flat panels seamed together side by side.
- Christmas-style stockings, pumpkins, plant cozies and toy bodies.
What they cannot do is ribbing, cables, lace or colorwork patterns. For those, you hand knit, or you move to a flat-bed machine. Our knitting machine guide walks through the difference in more detail.
What is the difference between circular and flat knitting machines?
A circular machine has needles set in a ring, and a crank moves them around it. In flat mode, you crank back and forth over part of the ring to make a panel instead of a tube. A flat-bed machine has a straight row of needles and a carriage you slide across, like a typewriter.
| Question | Circular crank machine | Flat-bed machine |
|---|---|---|
| What it makes | Tubes and simple flat panels | Flat pieces you can shape |
| Stitch pattern | Stockinette only | Stockinette, with hand-manipulated patterns |
| Shaping (increases, decreases) | No | Yes |
| Learning curve | An afternoon | Weeks, with manuals or a class |
| Price range | About $26 to $410 | Reseller pricing, check listings |
| Space needed | Clamps to a table edge | A long, sturdy table |
| Good first project | Beanie | Scarf, then a simple sweater |
Flat mode on a crank machine is real but fiddly. Owners frequently report that edge stitches can drop when changing direction, so they go slowly and keep the fabric weighted. If flat panels are your main goal, the wider Kingsize is noticeably easier than a 22-needle machine.
Is a Sentro or Addi knitting machine better?
The Addi is better built; the Sentro is better value for a trial. Both work the same way. The SENTRO 48-Needle costs roughly a third of the addi Express Kingsize, and many knitters start there, then upgrade once a plastic part wears or they want a smoother crank. The Kingsize ships with five spare needles, which matters over years of use. Our Sentro vs Addi comparison lays out the details, and the full Addi Express Kingsize review and Sentro 48 review cover owner complaints and praise.
Can you make a blanket with a knitting machine?
Yes, in strips. A crank machine cannot knit a wide blanket in one piece, so you knit long flat panels or flattened tubes and seam them. A throw usually takes several strips, and the seams are part of the look. Flattened tubes give a double-thick, very warm blanket but use about twice the yarn.
Plan yardage before you buy yarn: our blanket yarn calculator estimates it by size and weight, and the blanket size chart gives standard finished sizes. Most crank-machine owners report the smoothest results with medium (#4) to chunky (#5) acrylic, which our yarn weight chart explains.
Is a knitting machine faster than hand knitting?
Dramatically, for plain fabric. A beanie tube that takes an evening by hand can come off a crank machine in well under an hour, including setup. The trade-off is design freedom: hand knitting does ribbing, cables, shaping and fine yarns that crank machines cannot. Many knitters keep both, using the machine for bulk and needles for the details. See knitting machine vs hand knitting for a side-by-side look.
Comfort matters on long crank sessions
Clamp the machine to a table at elbow height and sit in a supportive chair. Cranking for an hour from a low couch is where most shoulder complaints come from.
How we chose
We did not test these machines in person. Picks are based on manufacturer specifications (needle counts, listed widths, included parts), what is actually sold and in stock through verified listings, replacement part availability, and recurring themes in verified owner reviews, such as dropped stitches on flat mode and the lifespan of plastic parts. We favored machines with parts support and ruled out unbranded copies with thin documentation.
Buying tips
- Know what you want to make. Hats and scarves: any crank machine. Sweaters with shaping: a flat bed.
- Count the needles. 22 needles makes small tubes; 46 to 48 needles makes adult hats.
- Budget for weights and clamps. Hanging weight on the fabric prevents most dropped stitches.
- Use smooth yarn. Fuzzy, novelty or very thin yarns snag and drop on crank machines.
- Check part availability. Replacement needles keep a machine running for years.
- Buy flat-bed machines from reputable sellers. Resale listings vary in completeness.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best knitting machine for beginners?
The Sentro 48-needle machine is the most sensible first machine because it costs about $50 and makes adult-size hats and scarves. It teaches you how to cast on, weight the fabric and fix dropped stitches. If you already know you will use it often, skip ahead to the Addi Express Kingsize, which costs more but is built with sturdier parts and replaceable needles.
Can a knitting machine make sweaters?
A circular crank machine cannot make a shaped sweater, because it only knits tubes and simple panels in stockinette. Some makers seam rectangular panels into a boxy pullover, but true sweaters with shaped armholes and necklines need a flat-bed machine like the Silver Reed LK150, which increases and decreases stitches. Expect a real learning curve with flat-bed machines.
What yarn works best in a knitting machine?
Crank machines generally run best with smooth medium weight (#4) to chunky (#5) yarn, most often acrylic or acrylic blends. Very fuzzy, slubby or novelty yarns tend to catch and drop. Flat-bed machines have their own gauge ranges, so a mid-gauge machine like the LK150 suits lighter yarns than a crank machine does. Always swatch before a big project.
Why does my knitting machine keep dropping stitches?
The most common causes owners report are too little weight on the fabric, cranking too fast, yarn that is too thick or too fuzzy, and poor tension at the yarn guide. Hang a weight or clip on the fabric, crank at a steady pace, and use smooth yarn. On flat mode, slow down at each change of direction, where edge stitches most often come off.
Is the Addi Express Kingsize worth the extra money?
For regular users, generally yes. The Kingsize costs about three times as much as a Sentro but is made in Germany, ships with spare needles, and owners consistently report longer life and smoother cranking. For someone who will make three hats a year, the Sentro is the better value. For someone making gifts or selling items weekly, the Addi pays for itself.
Do knitting machines work for socks?
A 22-needle crank machine can knit the leg and foot tube of a sock quickly, but the heel and toe usually need to be shaped by hand or with a special technique. Many knitters use the machine for tube socks or for the plain sections, then finish by hand. For fully fitted socks, most still reach for double-pointed or short circular needles.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.