[kristalkristina]

Advice needed!
I'm absolutely new to knitting machine!I hand-knit all my hats and scarfs, but it takes so much time so I decided to give it a go and buy a machine. But I have no clue which one will work with mohair? I need something simple( it's only for scarfs) and not pricey
Thanks

 

[Joyce Martin]

Following.

 

[MaryAnneCutler]

The Silver Reed/Studio plastic LK150 is a great machine for fuzzy yarns.

 

[GrammaAnn]

Do you want the machine to do some patterning or are you willing to hand manipulate any pattern? Some machines auto pattern and others do not. Mohair can be a challenge to knit on a machine. It requires constant tugging on the fabric to keep it knitting off properly - some machines do it easier than others. Machines have a learning curve - it will require some time and practice to master it.

 

[kristalkristina]

Thanks for advice Will have a look

 

[kristalkristina]

No, I'm not gonna make any pattern, just plain one color scarf using baby bliss mohair yarn

 

[LindaKS]

Oh dear - I had so much trouble knitting mohair on my knitting machine - as GrammaAnn says - it does get hung up and also tangled in the brushes on my Brother machines.I did have better luck hand transferring stitches for simple lace patterns on my Brother Bulky with a heavier Mohair yarn. I used a lot of weight.
I almost felt that I could have done it faster on large needles by hand than on the machine, because of all the hand transferring. Looks like a plastic machine with "flow combs" would work better for you, maybe, as they might not snag the fibers like gate pegs?

 

[kristalkristina]

I thought it would be easier to make it on machine and would save me a lot of time. Do you know any names for those plastic machine with combs I can look for, please? I've already bought that Addi machine, but it was waste of money I use drop kid mohair yarn and bliss mohair for scarf but in double thread

 

[GrammaAnn]

Check your local craigslist or on ebay for a Silver Reed LK 150 -Plastic bed machine with no auto patterning as Macon and LindaKS suggested. You can buy them new. Google Silver Reed dealers in your area. https://www.allbrands.com/categories/901/3746-silver-reed-lk150-needle-6-5mm-mid-gauge-beginner Or All Brands sells them. Lots of online videos to teach you to use it.

 

[aprilla]

i knit a lot of mohair on my Bond back in the 80s. Yes, the long hairs can get a bit caught up so it's not all plain sailing, but it was mostly plain sailing with just the occasional bump. I'll have no hesitation pulling out the Bond the next time I knit with mohair.
A favourite was a long red mohair pullover with a large cable running up one side as a feature, and I did a lot of colour blocking with mohair, it was popular then and a bit of waste-not-want-not. Mostly it was loose, drop sleeve cardigans, it seemed everyone was wearing them back then LOL

Stocking stitch or tuck scarves shouldn't be a problem, but get used to the machine (whichever you purchase) before you start. Letting the mohair yarn run over a candle (wax) can help, but you still need to be aware of how it's going. Expect and be prepared for the occasional problem, it's the nature of the yarn.

 

[possumlj]

LK100 for beginners. You don't need all the fancy gadgets.g

 

[Diane 42]

I knit quite a lot of mohair on my standard machines and my bulky machine. I give my mohair a spray of silicon spray and then keep it wrapped in a plastic bag overnight in the freezer before using. Works fine for me. I don't use wax as the dust from it works it's way into the workings of the machine--which is not good over a period of time.

 

[TriciaN]

Plastic beds work best for me when using fluffy yarn. In my (limited) experience Static isn’t a problem with a plastic bed either.

 

[hobbyknit]

LK 150 is the greatest it is mid gauge and can knit almost anything easy to use!

 

[Susie2016]

Definitely use the silicon spray and lots of weight. And as the other posters say, the LK 150 would be a pretty good bet. Also, I've made many a baby blanket out of regular yarn for a quick gift on my LK 150. I make the blanket part on it---and then I crochet a border.

There's a place in Independence, Kansas, that sells the three Silver Reed machines---standard, bulky, and mid-gauge (LK 150). It's called Angelika's Yarn Store.

 

[MKDesigner]

I may have missed it, but the one issue that I feel is important is the dreaded *curl*. I have knit scarves on several different brands of machines just doing straight stockinette. And unless I hand manipulate (or hard steam) the edges curl. Just something to keep in mind. The LK150, in my opinion, is a superb starter machine.
Marge