So, it gives me great pleasure to show some progress on the antique circular sock knitting machine that I purchased...ahem....three or four years ago!
In my defense, the manual is a bad photocopy of the instructions from around 1930-40. Apparently, if you lived during those times, you would have had a neighbour who had one that could show you how to thread the thing! The lady that I bought this from had not used the equipment.I dug out the parts and took advantage of the extra day off work plus the good nature of my family to make this yesterday's project.
The key point that I've learned is that you first need to make some netting to hold your weights. And before that, my handy hubby had to come up with a device to help with the casting on of the thread. Thank goodness for YouTube...it helped us get to this point.
At the right end, you see what the netting looks like. It is made with every other needle installed. The rest is knit with every needle installed. I used some 2/8 cotton that I had in my weaving stash, so the knit isn't tight like it would be with sock yarn. We put a knot in the end to hold the weight which kept the tension. The whole thing went well until we tried to join some real sock yarn to this.
Our next task will be to produce a simple tube with sock yarn. There's a few steps to learn before a real sock with emerge from this contraption.
Don't look for an update on this anytime soon.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2012 - can you believe it?
6 comments:
That is amazing..My sock order for next year will be commissioned out I think lol...Looks like a New Year Sucess Story to me ♥Debi
ha Debi! I've got a long way to go on this thing...there's a whole different attachment for the ribbing. Your optimism is encouraging though. An acquaintance once told me she could crank out a pair in an hour!
Such a interesting gadget! It must be quite the challenge to figure out how it works but imagine the fun you will have!
Wow...that is so great! I think it would be very interesting to learn how it works and to actually make a pair of socks!
I have faith in you...you can do it...can't wait for the post with your first pair! :~)
I know, hardly seems possible, 2012 is almost here??? Where did 2011 go...
Happy New Year!
Cheers
It is amazing that 2012 is already here! I just love that sock machine. It is so cool and fascinating to operate I'm sure. I do love handknitting them, but wouldn't mind doing socks by machine either. :)
I don't make resolutions either, so I understand. I love the sock machine! How awesome!
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