How I Use a Circular Knitting Machine to Create My Products

There’s a certain kind of magic that happens when yarn begins its journey on my circular knitting machine. While everything I make at Handmade by Emma is crafted with love and intention, many people are curious about how it all comes together. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes to show you exactly how I transform soft, colourful yarn into cosy beanies, teddies, blankets, and more.

This is the heart of my process—and one of my favourite parts of running my small business.

✨ Why I Love Working With a Circular Knitting Machine

Before I dive into the details, let me tell you why this tool is so special to me.

A circular knitting machine blends the best of both worlds:the charm of handmade with the consistency of careful, mechanical knitting. It lets me create beautifully even stitches while still allowing the time, attention, and hand-finishing that give each piece its own character.

It doesn’t replace creativity—if anything, it enhances it.

With each turn of the handle, I get to watch something grow from nothing into soft, warm fabric. It’s strangely soothing, and very addictive.

✨ Step One: Choosing the Yarn

Every product starts with the yarn. This is where the personality of the piece begins.

I choose yarn based on:

• Softness (especially for baby pieces)

• Durability

• Colour and texture

• Suitability for the machine

• Washability for everyday use

It’s amazing how much the right yarn can influence the mood of a finished product. A neutral-toned, fluffy yarn creates a warm, classic look, while bright colours bring a cheerful, playful feel to teddies and kids’ beanies.

✨ Step Two: Setting Up the Machine

Once I’ve chosen the yarn, I thread it through the tension guide and into the first needle of the machine. This step is called casting on, and it’s the trickiest part—it sets the foundation for everything that follows.

I check the tension carefully to make sure the stitches will be even and comfortable. Too loose, and the fabric won’t hold its shape. Too tight, and it may be stiff or uncomfortable.

This is where experience (and a bit of intuition) really matters!

✨ Step Three: Cranking and Creating

With everything set up, the fun begins.

I turn the handle rhythmically, and the machine knits row after row, building a tube of beautifully even stitches. This can be:

• A beanie

• Part of a teddy bear

• A scarf or snood

• A panel for a blanket

You’d be surprised how quickly the fabric grows—it’s one of the reasons circular knitting machines are beloved by makers. But even though the knitting itself moves quickly, the craft still requires patience, especially when shaping pieces or switching colours.

Sometimes I’ll knit double-length tubes and fold them for extra warmth. Other times, I’ll create multiple panels and join them later by hand.

✨ Step Four: Hand-Finishing Every Detail

This is where the magic becomes personal.

After the machine does its part, I take over completely by hand. Depending on the product, this includes:

• Sewing seams with invisible stitching

• Adding ears, arms, legs, and faces to teddies

• Closing the top of beanies with secure, neat finishing

• Stuffing soft toys to the perfect fluffiness

• Adding labels and tags

This stage can take longer than the actual knitting, but it’s what gives each piece its personality. No two teddies ever look exactly the same—they each have a little charm of their own.

✨ Step Five: Quality Checking & Final Touches

Before anything is listed online or packed for a market, I give it a final inspection. I check for:

• Smooth seams

• Even tension

• Secure joins

• A comfortable, soft feel

• The “Emma test”: Would I gift this to someone I love?

  
  

Only when it passes everything do I label, neatly fold, and prepare it for its new home.

✨ Why This Process Matters

In a world full of mass-produced items, I love that my process is both mindful and intentional. Every product is a combination of skill, creativity, and care. My circular knitting machine helps me bring designs to life efficiently—but it’s the hand-finishing that makes each item truly handmade.

It’s slow crafting with a modern twist.And it brings me so much joy.

✨ Final Thoughts

Thank you for coming behind the scenes with me. I hope this gives you a deeper appreciation for the time, care, and creativity that goes into every piece I make. Each item starts as a simple strand of yarn and becomes something meant to be loved, worn, and treasured—and it means the world to me that you’re here supporting that process.