I luv the swirliness of the divine sockie but I am totally confused dear Claire. How come there are so many needles? Is it the purl thing? Does it take 2 people to make a divine sockie? 1 people each for 2 needles or do you use your feets?
Sheepses, More Divine Sox, Yarnage, and Being Tutorialized
Dear Dahlianut, the purl thing has been overcome, and it only takes 2 needles. You can knit a sock with 2 needles if you want, but then it would be entirely flat, and you would have to sew a seam up the back (or front) which would be perhaps a little bit aesthetically displeasing. In order to sew anything that has a cylindrical shape, such as socks, gloves, mittens, sleeves, you have to use 4 or 5 needles. You distribute the stitches evenly among the 3 or 4 needles, and then you use the 4th or 5th one to knit with. So at any given time, you are only knitting with 2 needles. You use the "empty" needle to knit the stitches on needle 1, and when you get to the end of needle 1's stitches, they have all been moved onto the previously "empty" needle. Then you use that needle to knit needle 2's stitches, etc, ad infinitum. This is why it is called knitting in the round.
Circular needles can be used to this same effect, but they scare the whillikers out of me, and I would be quite bereft if my whillikers were to go away.
p.s. I still have to spin sparkly yarn for you, don't think that I have forgotten.
It sounds tres complex and very pointy but I trust your tutorialization and await the fete de complete of the perfectly divine sockie. No worries about the sparkly yarn. I am not sure that I can even crotchet a sockie :x
so as you all know, I've been very jealous of all the knitting happening here, Well today, a friend dropped by with this little contraption so I can knit socks too. Its an automatic sock knitter from the early 1900s. Now, I should be able to out knit all of you whahaha (picture evil laughter) .....just as soon as I figure out how it works
It came with this box of parts
and the instruction manual. My project for the winter I think ;-p Now all I need is a llama for fibber
Ooooh! Ooooooooooooooooooooooohhh! I'm so green with envy! You have a sock machine! You lucky, lucky duck!! There is actually a class at the Wisconsin sheep & Fiber festival (which I am attending...the festival...not the class) about maintenance and use of sock machines. They are very expensive!! I have a little wooden circular loom thing that looks sort of like the very top bit on the first picture, but it needs a little hook and stuff.
Anyway....here are the links for the classes particular to sock machines...maybe you could contact the instructor and get some advice...
http://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/fiberartsclasses/classinfo.php?cid=62
http://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/fiberartsclasses/classinfo.php?cid=53
Check this out!!
http://www.angoravalley.com/csm.html
I can't believe there is a sock knitting machine conference! How cool!
But really, look at the links as you scroll down the page. Lots of useful information! Parts, manuals, etc. It looks like an excellent resource.
I'm still insanely jealous...
Hmmm....a sock machine would be something to check into. Wouldn't be hard to get one either, I would just say "Honey, if I had one of these I could make and FINISH lots of socks". I've got two pair started, I was hoping to have them done by the end of LAST winter....lol.
thanks for the links cmoxon! those are great resources. I wish I could attend that class it sounds like just what I need. I'm very surprised to hear that they are so expensive. My friend got it thrown in free with some livestock feeders at an auction.
That is so funky cool batflower!