Actually, the answer requires a bit of explanation. There are four categories of knitting machines: bulky, mid-guage, standard, and fine. Each name corresponds to the size of yarn you can easily knit with the machines. Yarns come in different sizes, and you get the best results using a knitting machine that will easily knit the yarn. Of course, I had to have one of each type.
There were a lot of different manufacturers when I started machine knitting. You may be learning how different computers (like Macs and PCs) basically do the same thing, but how you make them do their thing is different for each. Well, knitting machines from different manufacturers have different capabilities and accessories. And each usually had a beginner machine, middle of the road machines, and then the ones with all the bells and whistles (figuratively speaking.)
Here's an example: Let's say you wanted to knit-weave pillow covers and throws. Well, with one model, you have to use two carriages to knit-weave--very labor intensive. Another model has an accessory carriage that knits and weaves with the single carriage. Gotta have it!
Well, slowly but surely, I collected different ones in my quest to knit whatever stitches I wanted in the easiest manner possible. I even got a machine for free--after all, who could resist a Knittin Kitten? But, what about when I didn't have time to sit at the knitting machine to make fabric? What if the machine could work by itself? Maybe next time...Later.
