I have rather a lot of knitting machines - something pathological I think - it does mean I am never bored.

For the fine yarns a standard gauge machine is the best option, a ribber - a second bed of needles can be added and that will do true ribs with knit and purl stitches, but with the single bed you can leave a needle out of work and get a vertical groove in the knitting, or even leave two and then use a latch hook to make the purl stitches later - you need a two stitch ladder to form a stitch the right size.

There are punchcards which will produce various patterns - the holes punched in them guide the needles into patterning or non patterning channels in the carriage, but the resulting fabric is then dictated by the controls on the carriage - so the same card can be used for a two colour pattern (fairisle) or a tuck stitch pattern.

Some machines are electronic so they can knit a pattern downloaded from a PC or put in from a Mylar sheet. Useful for adding in initials but a bit over the top for hose.

For cables you use hand tools to remove two sets of stitches from the hooks and replace them crossed over, then ten seconds later when you have done the in between rows you do the same thing again.

It is not possible to do every type of hand knitting stitch on the knitting machine automatically and fast, but there are enough options available for an awful lot of knitting.

I'm not sure where to advise you to go to look for a machine - they turn up at charity shops and jumble sales, there must be knitting machine dealers - though there are fewer than there used to be in the heydays of the craft.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: