Classroom: Hand Knit to Machine Knit

Best of Both Worlds
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Course: Use a Hand Knitting Pattern with Your Knitting Machine
Course: Hand Knit Yoke Sweaters
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Hybrid Knitting

Hand + Machine = Success!

The speed and precision of machine knitting are what attract many knitters. Whether you have a huge stash of yarn or endless project ideas, machine knitting helps you bring them to life—faster.

The Hand Knitter’s Advantage

While you don't need to be a hand knitter to succeed at machine knitting, hand knitters bring some valuable skills to the table:

  • Familiarity with yarn behavior—fiber, drape, elasticity—helps when choosing machine knitting yarns.

  • Understanding stitch structure aids in troubleshooting and customizing designs.

Consider knitting the fun stuff by hand and the boring stuff by machine. A round yoke sweater is a perfect example—hand knit the yoke, then work the body and sleeves on the machine. You’ll wear the sweater in a fraction of the time.

If you don’t have a ribber, hand knitting ribbing is a great option. Want to add garter or seed stitch? Instead of re-forming stitches on the machine, knit those sections by hand.

Knitting Patterns

Even if you don’t hand knit, you can still draw inspiration from hand knitting patterns. Few designers write patterns for machine knitting—but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck.

About Machine Knit-Ables

Hands holding knitting needles beside a close-up of a knitting machine
Rehang stitches and continue knitting on the machine

Tips for Success

  • Start small: Get to know your machine with basic projects before diving into complex garments.
  • Experiment: Try different yarns and textures to discover what works well for your machine and your taste.
  • Stay inspired: Let both the hand and machine knitting worlds fuel your creativity.
  • Embrace mistakes: Every error is a learning moment that makes you a better knitter.

Conclusion

Hybrid knitting gives you the best of both worlds. Use your machine for speed and consistency, and your hands for finesse and detail. There’s no right or wrong way—just knit what brings you joy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to hand knit to start machine knitting?

Not at all. Many successful machine knitters never pick up needles. But if you do hand knit, your understanding of stitch construction and finishing techniques can be a big help.

Can I combine hand and machine knitting in one project?

Absolutely! Many knitters call this hybrid knitting. Hand-knit ribbing, yokes, or garter edges pair beautifully with machine-knit bodies and sleeves.

What are the benefits of machine knitting?

Speed and even tension are major advantages. Machine knitting lets you produce garments faster and often with more consistent results than hand knitting.

Are hand knitting patterns usable on a knitting machine?

Many are! With a few tweaks and a bit of translation, you can adapt hand knitting patterns for your machine using tools like the Knit it Now Machine Knit-Able series.

What if I don’t have a ribber for my machine?

No problem—hand knit the ribbing and hang it on your machine to continue. Many knitters do just that!

How do I match hand knitting and machine knitting gauge?

Swatching is the only way to match gauge. Change your hand knitting needle size or your machine carriage tension and swatch.