Customer Reviews

Caron Ultimate Sweater Machine Deluxe

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I also was a bit skeptical to purchase this after reading all the horrible reviews, but I set it up and it works fantastic! All you have to do is FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS and take your time. The only time I have experienced any stitches dropping is if I didn't move the plate all the way to the end or didn't hold the yarn properly (as the instructions talk about). Once I followed the directions, I haven't had any problems.

I'm a bit concerned about the people writing the reviews claiming that this is a piece of junk or that they are "engineers" who apparently can't follow directions.

The only thing I think you should be aware of is that this machine definitely is made for making sweaters in stockinette stitching. You can do some fancier stitches like cables, but you can't mix up stitches like knit 1, perl 1. Well you can, but I think it takes longer than doing that part by hand. On sweaters where I want to have a ribbed edge with k2/p2, I just cast on to needles, start the first few rows and then transfer it to my machine for the stockinette stitching.

I knit an entire sweater for my son in one night. I never could have done that just on my needles.

If you are not a patient person or if you are incapable of watching a video and following instructions don't buy this because you will experience what everyone else with negative reviews experienced. However, if you have a bit of patience and take your time, you will LOVE this machine!

Also, I don't have a special table (like one other reviewer suggested), I just use the non-slip pad that comes with the machine and it works great.

I was skeptical about this product after reading mixed reviews. I have used it many times over the last few weeks and so far I haven't had any problems. It works great for me. The only thing I wish it mentioned in the product description is about the kind of table you need to attach the machine to. Your table cannot have rounded edges or a skirt underneath, which mine has. There needs to be two inches under the tabletop to attach the clamps to. I rigged something up by using a couple of wood blocks from my kids and non-slip padding. It's working and I'm getting projects done. I suppose that's all that counts.

The Ultimate Knitting Machine Deluxe by Caron

I have been knitting over a year now and wanted to try a knitting machine, so I chose the Bond Knitting Machine. I do feel this is an adequate machine for newbies and simple projects but it is not something I will use long term and will be upgrading to what I would consider a "real" knitting machine. But with that comes the hefty price tag of $600-$1200.

I also do think it is pricy for what you get and the quality. I paid $105 for my machine at urban outfitters (on amazon), but I think the machine should actually have a price point of around $75 due to the quality and its limits. Below is a summary.

GOOD:
-Price a little expensive but affordable
-Good for simple projects
-Good for cables
-Good for Garter stitch only
-Great for blankets or scarf type projects
-Good for simple sweaters and coats

BAD:
-Stiches catch all the time
-It is plastic so quality is not that great
-Not good for intricate designs
-If I make something where I will need to purl or do a chevron stitch I do this my hand
-REALLY NOT good for yarn other than simple spun yarn. Not good for any yarn such as feather, hand spun, or fun yarn. This machine will ruin your yarn and project.

I did get a few extras but have not tried the Intarsia plate, I will at a later date, maybe.

So, bottom line, it is ok and great to see if you want to try machine knitting before investing in a better model. Good, not great, but good for simple projects that use a garter stitch or cabling but that is about it. Anything more intricate than that I will hand knit.

I would give it 5 stars but I think it is overpriced, though I would buy it again if mine went missing :)...

I have been playing with the USM and ISM for a while. The USM is a nice improvement in the carriage and 2 extra sizes on the keyplates, but that is the only difference to speak of (besides colored glides).

I tried the Bond Easy Knit silicone spray and now I don't even use the wax. It is low odor and I just spray the carriage underside less than a second and it knits for hours without the hangups you get when it's dry.

I have used Lion Homespun yarn on every other needle using keyplate 4 for a nice material. That is pretty bulky in my books. It wouldn't pull it very well on every needle, but every other, it glides along like its baby yarn.

I have played with Fair Isle in a little skirt, and have done sample swatches using lace and cable patterns. I love the speed and the fineness and drape of the material compared to crochet. I have been working on shaping and also I have extra weights to put on the ends of the project to keep the stitches loose enough.

I have the row counter, but never use it, I end up using paperclips or bobby pins as row markers every 10 rows because it is easy enough to count 10 rows if the phone rings, lol. My youngest child thinks it is fun to click the counter, so that didn't work out well for me :).

It sometimes jams, but if you check needle alignment, yarn tension, move the material back and forth, and press the carriage down to the needlebed and it still won't move, lift the keyplate, slide the carriage away and pull the stitches by hand. I do that when something is too tight (like cable stitch) because I don't want to use enough force to break the plastic.

When the stitches drop, just catch it asap. If you use slow steady movements and use care at the beginning to make sure the guides aren't behind the knitting, the stitches drop only infrequently and are easy to fix. It is usually on either end if it does drop so always check before starting another row.

I knit slowly on knitting needles, but with this I can fly. It is fun and the kids are always asking me to make them this or that. I have made several blankets, hats, scarves, and a couple shaped pouches for the kids to carry around. I plan to try socks soon, but so far haven't done it. I am working on my first sweater, and I think it will be fine.

I would really like to get a steel knitting machine, but I am glad to have this to learn and work on and I have found that I really like it :). This is much cheaper than the steel bulky chunky machines :). Best of luck and enjoy.

First of all, I read all the reviews and also looked up the how-to videos on youtube (the maker of the machine put pretty much the entire dvd lessons on youtube) BEFORE I got this machine. (note: a friend gave it to me because she found it too daunting to operate)

Once I felt I had a realistic idea of what would be involved, I opened up the box. Here's what I've discovered so far:

1) Watch the ENTIRE instructional dvd, a few times, before you start putting the machine together.

2) Have the set-up portion of the dvd on while you actually put the machine together.

3) "Play" with it as you knit- in other words, assume that you'll be doing a number of practice projects while you really get the hang of it.

4) Pay close attention to the various tips the dvd has to offer, especially those about how to avoid jams, fix dropped stitches, etc.

5) Trust you own ability to trouble-shoot - I came up with a few little tricks that weren't on the dvd that helped me avoid/fix problems.

Yes, you will run into problems sometimes - and it can be frustrating. But the more patient you are at the beginning, the better - and quicker!- your final results will be. I realize this sounds like a LOT of practice, but it really does pay off.

My first real project was a simple blanket for my son - which he helped me complete. It is about the size of a throw and took us all of 60 minutes.

I have been knitting on this bond machine for the past 7 years. I now have several. They all hook together to make a longer Afghan. I make a lot of baby blankets on this. I crochet around the edges to finish it off and keep it from curling. You don't have to crochet around the edges but I like how it looks. I love this machine as well as the Caron's yarn "simply soft". I find that when I don't get in a hurry and am patent, I don't drop stitches. Also using weights near the needles helps a lot. It is important not to let your knitting touch the floor. Roll it up and use the bands and s hooks that are provided in the package.

I have also found that I like to use a silicone spray lubricant for the plates and the needles instead of the soap bar that came with my kit.

I have had many knitters who have asked me how I keep my stitches so even. They can not tell I use a machine. I want to add that I also have an other expensive knitting machine but I like this very simple one the best.

I have had this machine for a year and a half and have made dozens of projects. Also, my 10 year old sister received this machine for Christmas this year, set it up all by herself by watching the video, and had completed a scarf for herself before Christmas Day was over. If you have attempted hand knitting and wound up only wasting time and money- this may be a great alternative! I have easily mastered ribbing, fair isle, eyelet (lace patterns), cabling, and striping. The machine does have limitations in using heavyweight and extra chunky yarns, but does wonderfully with lightweight and worsted weight. There is also a good mix of pattern books and accessories available from the manufacturer, dozens of website offer free patterns designed for the machine or you can easily convert hand knitting pattterns. I have recently seen the machine, some of the accessories, and pattern books available at Hobby Lobby and JoAnns Craft stores.

I did not buy my machine here, but instead I got mine from Walmart a year ago when they were doing a clearance dump, it's a smaller version that only has 50 hooks, and I paid 50$ for it. I then bought a second USM machine with 200 hooks off ebay for another 50$ and joined the two together for a single machine that is large enough to knit blankets. I love my knitting machine, but I will admit it has it's problems - it's mostly plastic and so parts do wear out quickly. The most important part on my machine, the carriage plates are worn out, and I must replace them. The replacements are only 12$ a set or so, I've only made a few items, so at this rate I will need to shell out 12$ every few projects for more plates! A 200$ + machine should be made better.

Anyhow, my point is this is a nice machine, but I would never pay full price. I have seen them all over ebay for far less. Save your money for all the carriage plates you will need to buy.

I can only speak for my own experience, and I really enjoy this machine. I was delighted to get it as a birthday present, and after just a little review of the directions and the video, I was knitting! It does drop stitches, but only rarely such as when I'm trying to run things through too quickly, didn't hold tension on the thread on the first row, or not paying attention. It was nearly always because of my own error. I made a hat for winter in about an hour, which I think is pretty good for a first try on the machine! It's better to just listen to the radio rather than watching TV while working with this, because then if a stitch drops you can catch it right away and not end up with a big "ladder" in your work that runs back for 5-6 rows (that bugs me...)

It may not do all the "fancy" stuff that the MUCH more expensive machines do, but I was very impressed with it. It's just a matter of practice, getting your table and machine level, and patience. For those of you who just want to do some good knitting really fast, I think it's a great buy.

Please do not bother with this product. It does not work. After three hours with two people working it, we NEVER completed one row without dropping stitches. The product is defective - we watched the video, you-tube, read the book and finally gave up as it did not work. Later we purchased a Silver Reed and I was knitting right off the bat! I am an experienced hand knitter and had previously owned a knitting machine. Unfortunately I had to leave my machine behind when I moved from overseas and thought this product is a suitable replacement. Which it is not.

The needle bed bends with any pressure - but without some pressure the yarn just glides over the needles. The carriage that swoops across the needles will snag the yarn - even the most expensive yarn.

The flaw with the machine is there is NO tension to hold your yarn. Standard machines have two sets of tensions and this one only had one. If you watch the smiling lady who demos the product on DVD, you can see the death grip she has on the machine in order to force it across.
We shipped the product back to the dealer as they have "100% guarantee or your money back" policy....except for this machine, which that was not disclosed anywhere! Thank goodness for AMAZON and VISA!!
The only reason why I put 1 star is because my comments will not be posted without a star, too bad AMAZON does not have negative stars!

Happy Knitting with anything but this machine!!