Any Machine Knitters out there?

I am debating purchasing a knitting machine and would appreciate any advice pro or con.  If you have used a knitting machine, could you tell me what you liked or didn't like about it, what you made on it, etc?  Did you use it a few times and put it away?  I'm curious about other people's experience with these machines.  Thanks!

will await answers to your question!

I've spent the last few days researching and reading online about knitting machines.  The basic advice seems to be that your first knitting machine should be a single bed model.  After watching a few videos of people using a single bed machine and then people using a double bed machine, I think that I would agree.  Single bed seems less complicated for sure!  Now, you can't do as much with it (ribbing, knitting in the round), but I suspect the frustration factor would be much less, and the learning curve easier. 

I am curious about what you would like to do with it. I have been a hand knitter for ages, and I had a machine briefly. I quickly discovered that I prefer the three-dimensional thinking and meditative quality of knitting, and didn't really care about speed. (Also, the sound of the carriage rubbing against the needles made my toddlers cry, but thankfully that's no longer an issue.)

Not meant as a criticism in any way! It's all yarny fun.

RichardR, Lion Brand Yarn Studio in Manhattan offers group workshops and private lessons on a single bed, mid-gauge introductory machine. You don’t have to have a machine so it’s a good opportunity to try it out, learn how it works and see if a machine is something you want to invest in. 

Thanks, Coffeegretchen!  I had no idea about that option (which is an excellent one).  And j_r, I also appreciate the relaxing effect of hand knitting, and likely won't abandon that.  But I want to venture into smaller gauge knits, something that would take me forever to do by hand.  I believe that the standard gauge knitting machines use fingering yarn and smaller, so that seems like an ideal size for me.  I'm not sure how annoying I might find machine knitting, and whether the trade-off might be worth it for the result, but hopefully a workshop/lesson on a knitting machine might answer that.

I hope you will report back, @RichardR. I hear you about the time it takes for fine yarn. I prefer knitting with fingering weight wool, and I bought some of these labels to sew in when I finish. 

Love it!  I need some of those labels!

@RichardR,

So what happened?  I’m mildly curious about these machines, too.