Most knitting machines I've encountered have a long bed with needles and a knitting carriage which moves back and forth along this bed. When this carriage is threaded with yarn, it knits. Often there is an antenna mechanisms that tensions the yarn for consistent stitches. The majority of beds clamp to a table or stand, so they don't really take up much space when not in use.
The carriage has buttons, dials and levers. Each of these enables us to create a variety of cool textures and patterns. The underside shows it's complexity.
In this example, I have wrapped the needles with yarn to get them ready for knitting.
I thread the carriage just by placing the yarn in the correct slot. The yarn has also been threaded through the antenna.
I make one pass with the carriage and place a comb and weights on the beginning of the work. These help the yarn stay in place and create uniform stitches. I move the weights and comb up as the knitting grows.
Here's a better look at the weights and combs:
In most case, the wrong side of the work will face you as you knit. In the photo below, I am producing a stockinette stitch by using the carriage with no selected buttons or dials.
I'll continue to the desire length. Getting the knitted piece off the machine is easy and perhaps a lesson for another day.