Stitches

what is the needle pitch in a knitting machine?

e.g. The specification of a particular knitting machine for sale includes: Needle Pitch: 6.5mm (3.9 gauge)/*13mm (2 gauge)... does that mean I can only knit using patterns that use needles 6.5mm?

Public Comments

1. Standard gauge knitting machines are 6.5gauge and knit yarn thicknesses from fine to DK. The gauge refers to the space between the needles. A13 gauge machine is called a chunky (bulky) machine and knits thicker yarns such as aran and bulky
2. In regular hand-knitting needles, a size of 6.5mm would be the DIAMETER of each needle. In knitting machines, 6.5mm is the distance BETWEEN the needles from centerpoint to centerpoint. In knitting machines, 6.5mm between needles is a MID-GAUGE machine. (4.5 mm is a "standard" gauge, 6.5 mm to 8 mm is "mid-gauge," 9 mm is "bulky"). The gauge is useful in determining the size of yarn that can be used on the machine. A mid-gauge machine will usually handle yarn between "sock yarn" size and "worsted/10-ply" size; sometimes you can use larger yarn by using only every other needle. However, some machines are more versatile than others. In addition, the machine's carriage will have an adjustment for stitch SIZE, which will also determine how the yarn knits up. As with any knitting, you would have to make a gauge swatch before beginning a project.