Knitting machines come in many types, but not all are suitable for making blankets. If you’re planning to start a small textile unit or upgrade your workshop for blanket production, understanding which knitting machine to use is essential. Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What Kind of Machine Makes Blankets?
Blankets are large, flat pieces of fabric made from thicker yarns such as wool, acrylic, or blended fibers. To knit such fabric, you need a machine that can produce wide panels with soft texture and consistent tension.
The most common and effective choice for blanket production is a flat knitting machine.
1. Flat Knitting Machines – Best for Blankets
A flat knitting machine uses two flat needle beds to create wide, flat panels. This design allows you to knit large pieces of fabric suitable for blankets, shawls, and other wide garments.
✅ Advantages:
Can produce wide panels (ideal for single or double-bed blankets)
Supports thicker yarns such as wool or acrylic
Allows pattern knitting (textures, cables, or designs)
Easier to customize width and gauge based on blanket type
Customization Options:
We at Bharat Machinery Works in Ludhiana, India, can modify Flat Knitting machines to handle heavier yarns and larger working widths. Their machines are widely used in textile industries for flat fabrics — which makes them a strong choice for blanket production.
2. Circular Knitting Machines – For Continuous Blanket Fabric
Another option is the circular knitting machine. It’s mainly designed for producing tubular fabrics (like t-shirts or sleeves), but it can be adapted for blanket-like materials when combined with an opening or cutting mechanism.
✅ Advantages:
Very high production speed
Can produce continuous fabric rolls
Suitable for soft, stretchable blankets (like baby or fleece blankets)
Considerations:
Produces tubes, so the fabric must be cut and finished flat
Limited control over width unless modified
Works better for industrial-scale continuous blanket fabric than finished blankets
At Bharat Machinery Works, you can find circular knitting machines such as single jersey, interlock, or rib models, all of which can be tuned for various fabric textures.
3. Other Machines (Hose and Lab Knitting Machines)
While Bharat Machinery Works also manufactures hose knitting and lab knitting machines, these are not typically used for full-size blankets.
Hose Knitting Machines are meant for tubular products like socks, cuffs, or sleeves.
Lab Knitting Machines are ideal for sampling or testing small fabric pieces.
If you only want to produce small blanket samples or test yarn tension, a lab knitting machine can be a good option.
Key Machine Features for Blanket Production
When choosing a knitting machine for blankets, look for these specifications:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Wide bed width | To produce large panels or full blanket widths |
| Thicker gauge (lower needle count) | Works better with bulky yarns used in blankets |
| Strong motor and drive | Required to handle heavy yarns and dense knitting |
| Pattern control or computer panel | Allows for textured or decorative designs |
| Yarn feeder capacity | Multiple feeders enable mixing yarns or colors |
| Easy maintenance | Crucial for long production runs |
Bharat Machinery Works offers machines with customizable options in these areas, which makes them suitable for adapting to blanket manufacturing needs.
How to Choose the Right Supplier
When buying a knitting machine for blankets, always check:
The manufacturer’s experience in textile machinery
Warranty and after-sales support
Availability of spare parts
Ability to customize machine width or gauge for thicker yarns
A company like Bharat Machinery Works, with over 60 years of experience, provides multiple machine types (flat, circular, rib, hose, lab) and also offers maintenance and support services, a big plus for industrial buyers.
So, which knitting machine is used for blankets? The flat knitting machine is the most practical and widely used option. For large-scale production or soft continuous fabrics, circular knitting machines can also be used with minor adjustments.
If you’re in India or anywhere in the world, exploring trusted manufacturers like Bharat Machinery Works is a smart choice, their expertise, customization options, and long-standing reputation make them ideal for anyone planning to produce high-quality knitted blankets.