Afghans

• Most knitting machines cannot accommodate any more than 100 stitches without an extension. While you can use an extension, it is generally easier to simply stay within the confines of the 100 stitches or a single arm extension than having to manage several. As such, knitting machines are very well suited to pieced afghans and smaller blankets, like throws and baby blankets.
  
  

Shawls

• Knitting machines are also very well suited to long shawls, scarves and wraps. All you have to do is establish your pattern stitch and let it go. While you may be limited in your yarn choice (not all knitting machines can handle yarns thinner than sport weight, whereas others will have difficulty handling yarns thicker than worsted weight), you can knit a simple shawl in hours, compared to the days it takes knitting by hand.
  
  

Sweaters

• Knitting machines are very efficient for making sweaters, especially boxy sweaters such as those for a man or child. Decreases and increases can be tricky on a knitting machine, but if your pattern does not call for many you can complete a sweater in just three days.
  
  

Pieces Items

• Difficulties in increasing and decreasing stitches on a knitting machine becomes very obvious when making smaller items that require a lot of shaping, such as stuffed toys. If your pieced item requires little finessing, such as a clutch, pillow cover or toy blocks, a knitting machine can make quick work of your project.