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Addi Express Kingsize Knitting Machine: Home

Instructions, Videos, and Tips.

Getting Started with the Addi Knitting Machine

What you should know about the Addi Express Kingsize knitting machine before you get started. 

  • The machine can make a circular (tube) that is 46 stitches around or flat knitted piece that is 43 stitches wide.
  • There is a switch near the crank that allows you to select Circular or Plain knitting.
  • If you would like to make a flat piece that is narrower than 43 stitches, we suggest you use Addi Stoppers, which can be purchased online.
  • It is possible to drop stitches using the Addi, so pay attention and take your time.

What you will need: 

  • A plan! Come prepared to finish a project. It is not possible to leave unfinished projects on the machine in a public space.  
  • A yarn needle
  • Scissors
  • Smooth yarn in either light (3), worsted (4), or bulky (5) weight. Never use super bulky (6) or fancy yarn. Worsted (4) is best

Books

Casting On

  1. Pull some of the yarn off the ball and through the middle of the Addi Express until it touches the table.
  2. Then bring the yarn in front (under the hook) the black needle on the right. (There are three needles, a left, middle and right)
  3. Start slowly turning the handle clockwise, while alternating the position of the yarn from in front of to behind of the rising needles.
  4. Continue until you are at the white needle right before the black needle you started with. 
  5. Open the gold colored yarn holder by pushing it open to the left and insert the yarn. Close the yarn holder to avoid damaging the needles.
The video clip below shows the alternating winding of the yarn

Knitting in the Round

Make sure the switch near the crank is set to Circular Knitting

  1. Make sure the yarn is in the yarn holder and that the holder is closed
  2. Hold the yarn lightly and turn the crank slowly
  3. Make sure that every needle hooks the yarn in and down
  4. When you are finished with the first circle, reset your row counter to zero by pressing and turning the black knob until numbers read 00000
The video clip below illustrates these four steps. 

Plain (Flat) Knitting, Including Casting On and Off

Make sure the switch near the crank is set to Plain Knitting

  1. Pull some of the thread off and through the middle of the Addi Express until it touches the table.
  2. Now turn the handle backwards and start with the first white needle to the left of the black needles. (The black needles are not used for plain knitting)  
  3. Start slowly turning the handle clockwise, while alternating the position of the yarn from in front of to behind of the rising needles until you reach the first black needle.
  4. Bring the yarn in back of the first black needle and then secure it in the yarn holder.
  5. Slowing turn the crank handle counter clockwise while making sure that each needle hooks the yarn until you are stopped by the other black needle
  6. Reverse direction. The difference to round knitting is that you turn the handle forwards and backwards. Each end of a row will be shown by a stop of the crank. Always turn the handle until it stops and then reverse direction. 
  7. Cast off as you would with the circular knit. 
The following video shows a complete cycle in Plain Knitting mode.

Casting Off

When you have reached the desired length of your item it is time cast off

  1. Cut the yarn off to around 36 inches
  2. Take it out of the yarn holder and close the holder 
  3. Thread the yarn needle
  4. While slowly turning the handle clockwise use the yarn needle to catch each of  the loops of yarn that are exposed as each needle begins to descend and pull the yarn on the needle through them.
  5. If you move to quickly the needle will discard the loop of yarn and you won't have a chance to catch it.
  6. Optional: For a nice looking finish alternate from going through the front of and back of the lowering needle. 
The video clip below shows how to cast off.