Machine Knitting for Beginners
Machine knitting allows knitters to produce garments, fabrics, and accessories far faster than hand knitting while still working with real yarn.
At Blue Thistle Fibers, we help beginners learn machine knitting through equipment sales, workshops, and hands-on instruction at our fiber mill in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia.
What Is Machine Knitting?
Flat Bed Knitting machines (like the LK150) create knitted fabric using rows of needles arranged on a needle bed. To make the stiches, the knitter moves a carriage across the needles while yarn feeds through the machine. Each pass of the carriage forms a new row of stitches.
Machine knitting still requires skill and creativity, but it allows knitters to produce garments and textiles much more quickly than traditional hand knitting. Many knitters enjoy combining both techniques — using machines to create fabric and hand knitting to finish or decorate pieces. Knitting machines are typically categorized by gauge, which refers to the spacing between needles.
Mid-Gauge Machines
Mid-gauge machines are often the easiest machines for beginners to learn. They work well with many common knitting yarns and allow knitters to produce garments quickly.
The Silver Reed LK150 is one of the most popular beginner knitting machines in the world.
Standard Gauge Machines
Standard gauge machines create finer fabrics and garments. Machines such as the Silver Reed SK280 are commonly used with lighter yarns and can be paired with ribber attachments for advanced knitting techniques.
Electronic Machines
Electronic knitting machines such as the Silver Reed SK840 allow knitters to produce complex patterns using computerized pattern control. These machines are often used by advanced knitters and designers.
The Best Knitting Machine For Beginners
The Silver Reed LK150
For most knitters starting out, we recommend the Silver Reed LK150 mid-gauge knitting machine.
The LK150 is ideal for beginners because it:
• uses many standard knitting yarns
• is simple to learn
• requires minimal setup
• produces beautiful knitted fabric quickly
Blue Thistle Fibers is an authorized Silver Reed dealer, and we can help you select the machine that best fits your knitting goals.
What Yarn Works in Knitting Machines?
The yarn used in machine knitting depends on the type of machine.
Mid-gauge machines like the LK150 work well with our DK & Worsted Naturally Dyed Yarns - preferably on a cone. We offer yarns by default as skeins, but you can let us know if you would like us to wind them onto a cone for you (no extra charge for the cone winding!)
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Burgundy Worsted Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00
Burgundy Worsted Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00Red Colorway: Burgundy. 219 yards / 200 meters. 100 grams
Our 4-ply Worsted yarn is certified mulesing-free SW 100% Merino wool and quickly works up into hats and sweaters everyone will love to wear. A durable yarn that holds up to washing and wearing.
Care Instructions: Hand wash cold water using mild detergent. Do not bleach. Dry flat away from direct sunlight.
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Rose Hip Pink Worsted Naturally Dyed yarn
$28.00
Rose Hip Pink Worsted Naturally Dyed yarn
$28.00219 yards / 200 meters. 100 grams
Our 4-ply Worsted yarn is certified mulesing-free SW 100% Merino wool and quickly works up into hats and sweaters everyone will love to wear. A durable yarn that holds up to washing and wearing.
Care Instructions: Machine wash on a gentle cycle using mild detergent. Do not bleach. Dry flat away from direct sunlight.
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Pumpkin Spice DK Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00
Pumpkin Spice DK Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00Length: 437 yds / 400 meters. 100 g Pumpkin DK yarn, a naturally dyed variegated orange/cream blend of 75% Superwash Merino and 25% nylon. This Peru-origin yarn is hand-dyed using plant-based dyes, resulting in an eco-friendly option. Perfect for knitting or crocheting projects. Care Instructions: Hand wash in cold water with a gentle detergent made specifically for washing wool and other fine fibers, or a PH-neutral, dye free detergent. Lay flat to dry. Length: 437 yds / 400 meters.
While our team hand-dyes each skein with the utmost care, natural dyes results can vary based on plant materials and fibers. Please be aware that variations in color and appearance may vary from the display image.
Metric US Knitting Needle Crochet Hook 3.25 mm US 1-2 D3 Stitches per Inch 30 st/4″ or 7-8 st/1″ Quick View -
Orange Tulip Worsted Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00
Orange Tulip Worsted Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00Soft peach with a pink undertone — not orange, not pink, but the particular color between them that only madder exhaust gives. Naturally dyed with madder root (rubia tinctorum) exhaust bath. Available in 1 fiber type.
100% Merino Superwash |
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Tan Worsted Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00
Tan Worsted Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00Brown Colorway: Variegated Light Tan. 219 yards / 200 meters. 100 grams
Variegated Light Tan 4-Ply Worsted yarn is certified mulesing-free SW 100% Merino wool and quickly works up into hats and sweaters everyone will love to wear. A durable yarn that holds up to washing and wearing.
Care Instructions: Hand wash using mild detergent. Do not bleach. Dry flat away from direct sunlight.
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Straw Worsted Weight Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00
Straw Worsted Weight Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00Cool pale yellow-tan — the color of wheat straw, of dried corn silk, of grain stalks after harvest. Naturally dyed with marigold exhaust, light bath. Available in 1 fiber type.
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Indigo Blue Worsted Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00
Indigo Blue Worsted Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00Blue Colorway: Indigo. 219 yards / 200 meters. 100 grams
Indigo Worsted4-ply yarn is certified mulesing-free SW 100% Merino wool and quickly works up into hats and sweaters everyone will love to wear. A durable yarn that holds up to washing and wearing.
- Pre-Wash Your Indigo Yarn Before starting your project, it’s a good idea to pre-wash your indigo yarn. This helps to remove any excess dye on the surface of the fibers that could bleed during future washes. Please see our INDIGO Product Guide for more TIPS on preventing color bleeding
While our team hand-dyes each skein with the utmost care, natural dye results can vary based on plant materials and fibers. Please be aware that variations in color and appearance may differ from the display image. Please wash several times separately with gentle ph-neutral soap before using, as naturally dyed fibers will run the first few washes.
Care Instructions: Hand wash separately in cold water using mild detergent. Do not bleach. Dry flat away from direct sunlight.
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Rose Worsted Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00
Rose Worsted Naturally Dyed Yarn
$28.00Pink Colorway: Variegated Light Rose. 219 yards / 200 meters. 100 grams
Variegated Light Rose Worsted 4-ply yarn is naturally dyed with sustainably harvested/foraged dye material from plants, minerals, roots, trees, and other organic materials. Blue Thistle Fiber’s 4-ply Worsted yarn is certified mulesing-free SW 100% Merino wool and quickly works up into hats and sweaters everyone will love to wear. A durable yarn that holds up to washing and wearing.
Care Instructions: Machine wash on a gentle cycle using mild detergent. Do not bleach. Dry flat away from direct sunlight.
While our team hand-dyes each skein with the utmost care, natural dyes results can vary based on plant materials and fibers. Please wash before using, as naturally dyed fibers can run the first few washings. Please be aware that variations in color and appearance may vary from the display image.
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Learn Machine Knitting in West Virginia
Learning to use a knitting machine is much easier with hands-on instruction.
Blue Thistle Fibers offers machine knitting workshops and small group classes at our fiber mill in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia.
Our workshops include:
• beginner machine knitting classes
• Silver Reed LK150 instruction
• Casting on and off, increasing & decreasing stitches, and faux ribbing.
• troubleshooting and machine setup
Buy a Knitting Machine
Blue Thistle Fibers is an authorized Silver Reed knitting machine dealer and offers machines for beginners as well as advanced knitters.
Machines can be shipped directly from our U.S. distributor, and we are happy to help customers choose the right machine.
Explore available machines: