This Sentro Knitting Machine review is an honest look at my experience of using this machine over the last month.
The Sentro Knitting Machine has quickly become a favorite for many DIYers looking to speed up their knitting projects.
It’s a circular knitting machine that promises to take your knitting from slow and steady to fast and fun.
It’s perfect for anyone who’s ever felt frustrated by how long it takes to hand-knit a scarf or hat.
So I was really excited when Secret Santa, (thank you DIL Kelly!) brought me one for Christmas 2024.
But how did I get on with it? Let’s take a look.
And by the way, if you want to watch me getting to grips with this machine, check out my video on YouTube.
My Sentro Knitting Machine Review begins on Christmas Day.
Yes – really, I started using it as soon as I opened it!
There we all were, a house full of family and in the midst of it, I just couldn’t wait to get going!
It comes with some small balls of yarn, so it truly is ready to use, apart from some minor building.
Ease of Set Up
The Sentro Knitting Machine is surprisingly easy to set up.
When you first unbox it, it might feel slightly intimidating to some people.
It does have a few parts to fit, but it’s pretty straightforward to assemble.
The most challenging thing for me was getting the little sucker feet to push into the groove of each leg.
However, they do go in if you force them – you just have to use a bit of strength.
They have to fit very tightly or they would pull out when the machine is in use.
You also have to fit the four legs and the cranking handle.
It’s just a question of using the supplied screws for the legs.
It took me no time at all to have it up and running, even with five excited children charging around!
Once it’s ready to go, turning the handle is all it takes to start creating beautiful knitted pieces.
But of course, as with all new activities, there is a learning curve.
It’s definitely not as hands-off as a fully automated knitting machine, but for something at this price, it’s an amazing little machine.
I did experience problems as I learnt how to use the Sentro Knitting machine BUT, they were all down to me, NOT the machine.
You must give yourself time to learn because the workings are quite intricately balanced.
If you don’t do all the right things, you will drop stitches and have issues.
So my main takeaway from the issues I have had is take time to learn the machine.
It does come with instructions but honestly, I have no idea how good they are because I learn best by watching someone else.
So I turned to YouTube where there are ample people who have a good knowledge of the Sentro Knitting Machine.
You will find links in the rest of this post to people I can recommend you to watch.
The first person I watched to learn how to cast on left out a crucial piece of info.
So I had infuriating problems until I happened to see another knitter who did give the info.
It was such a tiny thing but it was SO important to know.
This is the YouTuber who helped me the most do cast on properly.
Her name is Crystal.
Her Youtube channel is called Yarn Stash with Marching North and the video I recommend to learn cast on properly is this one:-
The ear/neck warmer below is one of the first items I knitted on the Sentro machine following that tutorial.
But even if you don’t want to make this headband/ear/neck warmer straight away, just watch her cast on.
I found that watching her tip to make sure the wool goes under the last three ‘bumps’ to the right of the white peg was invaluable to me.
You will notice Crystal starts her cast on with the one white peg out of the whole 48 pegs on the Sentro.
Now some YouTubers, including her, start with the white peg, which is actually the last peg of the round because it is No 48.
And others start with the pink peg to the left, peg No1.
I’m sure some people will argue the case for one or the other but I’ve done both and it makes no difference that I can see.
But I am now using the white peg as my starting point because it feels right for me.
Performance
The Sentro Knitting Machine does its job well in terms of speed.
For example, it can crank out a hat in about 30-40 minutes depending on your yarn and tension.
And there is an attachment you can get to use a drill to turn the handle much faster.
I’m definitely not ready for that yet but more advanced knitters seem to love it.
As I said earlier, this machine has 48 pegs, which is perfect for many different projects.
You can make scarves, hats, and even sweaters and blankets once you become confident.
This wouldn’t be an honest Sentro Knitting Machine review if I didn’t mention yarn weight issues.
It doesn’t seem to like heavier yarns. I tried to use some very chunky wool and it was problematic.
I’ve used DK yarn, four ply and the chunky yarn from James Brett (see the neck warmer above) but I think that’s the limit.
The machine struggles with thicker yarn and I woukd be worried about breaking it.
It’s just not made for really chunky yarns in my opinion.
I’m not bothered though because I use knitting looms for the chunkier yarns and I do enjoy using the lighter yarns in the Sentro.
It’s worth noting as well, you’ll need to get the tension just right.
If the yarn is too thick or too thin for the machine’s needles, it can cause issues like uneven stitches or the yarn getting stuck. That said, once you find a yarn type that works well with the Sentro, it’ll knit up beautifully.
It’s all about trial and error at first, but after a few tries, you’ll be churning out knitted items in no time.
And you must pat attention to the tension guide all the time.
As you will see in my YouTube video about this, I screwed up a hat by not being careful with the tension.
Watch the video to see what happened.
Durability of the Sentro Knitting Machine
Durability seems to be a mixed bag with the Sentro.
On the one hand, the machine feels solid enough, and the plastic body is surprisingly sturdy given its light weight.
On the other hand, according to some videos I’ve seen, it’s not invincible.
Some people say the plastic components don’t seem as tough as the metal ones found in higher-end knitting machines, so it’s important to handle with care.
You need to be careful with the tension guide to ensure you don’t snap it.
It does stick out so it’s easy to knock it.
Also, quite a few people doing instructional videos say the row counter tends to stop working after awhile.
So far, after a month of heavy use, mine is still working perfectly.
We are talking about a very affordable machine here, not a high-end one costing hundreds or thousands.
So we have to be realistic with expectations.
It needs careful handling and storing to avoid damage.
Versatility
One of the coolest things about the Sentro is its versatility.
You can easily change up your projects by experimenting with different yarn types, patterns, and even combining colors.
Our own imagination and willingness to experiment could be more limiting than the machine itself.
It’s also pretty easy to adjust the tension settings to get the perfect stitch.
However, there are some limitations.
While it’s great for basic knits, it doesn’t offer the same variety of stitch patterns or complex techniques as you’d get with hand knitting or higher-end machines.
Although there are a few very adventurous knitters out there who might not agree.
I have seen a video of someone showing how to do ribbing on the machine.
Conclusion to my Sentro Knitting Machine Review
Overall, the Sentro Knitting Machine is a solid choice for beginners or crafters looking to save time on smaller projects.
It’s not the most advanced machine out there, but it’s affordable, easy to use, and does what it promises—turning out knit items faster than you could using needles.
I am not a seasoned knitter – my hand knitting with needles isn’t great.
But in the space of exactly one month today, I have made around 15 beautiful knitted items.
Above you can see three of the many items I have made in exactly one month, while learning to use the Sentro knitting machine.
I think this is an amazing machine and I rate it 10 out of 10 for the sheer fun and pleasure I am having using it.
If you’re in it for quick scarves, hats, or other simple knits, you’ll find the Sentro to be a great tool to have in your crafting arsenal. Just keep an eye on the yarn tension and be gentle with the machine, and you’ll have hours of knitting fun ahead of you!
And if you want some really good tutorials to help you learn how to use the Sentro here are a couple that have helped me.
Now you have read my Sentro knitting machine review – do you feel inpsired?
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