Should I buy a Kniterate?
BK is an experienced, very technically inclined, machine knitter who has a plethora of older domestic machines, including three Brother machines, a Passap, and a variety of motors and other accessories. After taking a long hiatus from machine knitting, she has returned to the craft to find her machines have missing or broken parts. She is now wondering at “the wisdom of plugging my time and money into these ancient, nearly obsolete machines vs. purchasing something new like a Toyota or Superba.”
Equally excited by Kniterate and its potential, she is also considering giving up domestic machines altogether and getting a Kniterate. However, she has concluded that “buying a Kniterate AND retaining my herd of existing machines was not financially feasible. I would have to sell my existing machines to at least contribute to the purchase.” Selling the older machines has its own hurdles, namely the tiring work of cleaning, photographing and listing them.
It’s a complicated situation many machine knitters may find themselves in when considering how best to upgrade their equipment, so she has reached out to ask what I would do in her situation. “Should I slog through selling my old beasts? Buy a ‘normal’ knitting machine? Buy a Kniterate? Do you have any advice for me?”
BK, if the question is "Should I buy a Kniterate?", my immediate answer is yes. Having had my Kniterate for over two years now, I can say it's wonderful knitting machinery. It's my favorite machine! I have a Passap DM80 and a Brother 260 and ribber (in storage out of state) and a Brother KH 830. I've considered your situation for several weeks now, and “yes” is not my final answer.
The Kniterate is a great intermediate between domestic and industrial knitting. It has many of the capabilities that an industrial machine has, including automated control of patterning on both beds. The software is still under development, but if you have experience with other machine knitting software, you'll find the design software relatively easy to use.
What would I do? Well, if I really wanted a new machine, I wouldn't purchase a Toyota or a Superba. The Toyota knitting machine is probably a very good machine, and I really enjoyed the Superba I used to own, but neither of them have been manufactured for decades, as far as I know. It would be nearly impossible to purchase a new one of these machines. Perhaps you know of someone selling theirs that you didn't mention?
Though it's a formidable task, I would begin prepping my older machines for sale—not all at once, just one or two at a time. I would set one or two up and try selling them "as is". True, they're not worth as much with a few parts missing, but it's probably possible to find buyers who are willing to put the energy into gathering the missing parts. That would be less work for me. If I happened to rekindle a fondness for a particular machine as I set it up, I would keep it around just a little bit longer. When all other machines are gone, I'd reevaluate keeping the one I like the most. If it satisfies both the technical itch and the creative urges, I'd keep it and be very satisfied that I'd found homes for the other machines. If not, I'd sell it too… and then get the Kniterate.
I know that was so much easier to write, than it would be to accomplish. But it's a plan. It might be easier to accomplish this task little by little than to think of it as one big chore.
There have been several price increases since the machine was first offered via Kickstarter. The manufacture of the machine moved last year from China to Spain, and there was another price increase. It was stated that this increase was the "final price", so it's probably ok to move slowly.
As an experienced machine knitter, I think you’ll really enjoy the Kniterate. When you’re ready, I’ll be happy to give you a Kniterate demo. I wish you the best!
O!