Try doing a simple tuck stitch using maybe card one, instead of plain knitting, as it will tend to lay flatter. The same number of stitches will be slightly wider, and it will, I'm afraid, take even more rows to get the length, but then it is far faster than knitting by hand. The result is usually slightly thicker and has a bit of texture on the inside, which makes it better for belts and cords where a bit of grip is required.

By the way there looks as though there is a linker - an automatic casting off device, next to the AG 30 under the machine. It might, though, be a ribber transfer carriage - they are very alike, but if it is a linker it might save you a few minutes in the process.

I probably have a very similar knitting machine - I have about 42 - they all do different things or different thickness of yarns.

Will it be knitted hose next?