Most  Polyester Fabric   machines are single-bed machines, i.e. they have one set of needles on a flat bed to knit stockinette stitches.

Some metal bed machines are made as double-bed machines which allow you to do ribbing automatically (without hand-manipulating stitches). You can also start with a single bed machine and add on a ribber later.

Plastic knitting machines are available from Silver Reed and Bond. Bond knitting machines are the least expensive ones available, and retail for $130 to $250.

The plastic Silver Reed LK-150 (150 needles on its bed) retails for under 400$.

This machine is reliable, fun to use, uses hand knitting yarns, and has many add-on accessories; so it is a great one for hand knitters to start with.

You can combine hand and machine knitting by hand knitting the ribbed edges and then machine knitting the body of a sweater.

Metal bed knitting machines are available from Silver Reed (also sold as "Studio" in Canada) and Artisan. Silver Reed offers all four gauges, and is one of the most respected and reputable knitting machine companies.

Artisan offers more basic and affordable standard and mid-gauge machines.

The LK-150, and other basic machines like it, lets you enjoy the challenge of hand manipulating stitches to create an interesting texture.

The LK-150 has an optional Fair Isle carriage that is worth the investment for  Textile Fabric people who are frustrated by Fair Isle.