My SO is studying textile engineering here in Borås, and yesterday she let me try knitting on their hand-driven knitting machines (really not sure what I should call them). It was fun, but pretty tricky. My lack of knowledge on how knitting really works probably made it harder as well. Here's a pic of my view while I was knitting what was going to be a beanie :
The blue fabric you see is the finished knit attached to some weight so keep it straight. When you're done you detach the knit from the machine, secure all the loose loops and you'll get this thing:
Then you gather the fabric in one end and close the side with some simple hand stitches. This is the first one I made, will finish another (hopefully better) one today
The Swedish school of textile is reaaaally cool btw, they got hundreds of different knitting, weaving and sewing machines. If you ever get the chance you should visit the place! I might even buy you a cup of coffee.