Sunday, February 11, 2007

My Auto Knitter Sock Machine

Love Bite #11 - You can love a place. I love Cape Cod.

Thank you, Dorisanne, for the vintage postcard of Sea Street Beach in Hyannis Port, Cape Cod, MA.

My Auto Knitter sock machine is the bane of my existence. That machine refuses to knit at the gauge I want. It refuses to make socks in the fabric density that I prefer. It gives me loosey-goosey fabric that will wear out the first time the socks are put on feet and walked in shoes. This machine has to go!

I try to like it. It was my first. I've sent it to "The Doctor" and he made adjustments, added new bits and pieces (washers, heel spring) and aaaack! it still throws up when I get the tension where I want it. I should have spent yesterday afternoon decluttering instead of trying to make that monster do my bidding. At least I'd have something more to show for it today than a see-through half a sock. Or I could have worked on some handknitting. Something! Anything!













See what I mean? See through!






There is a new machine on the market, the New Zealand Auto Knitter (NZAK). I gotta get me one of those! I wonder would Jackie take a trade in? I know I could get the perfect 1 x 1 ribbing, 60 stitch stockinette using my favorite yarns (Opal, Regia, Lorna's Laces) from one of those. That's it! I'm ordering one this year during the CSMSA Conference in July. You heard it here first folks! And I'm getting a stand too!!!


Bona Fide Knitter

2 comments:

stashmaster said...

Hello-


I understand your frustration about the CSM. It is always extra frustrating when time is lost due to a "time saving device". I feel the same way about computer problems..
Your decluttering is very inspiring! Gives me some ideas..

Anonymous said...

As a textile designer and textile engineer, I am goign to say you are using the wrong size and twist for the gauge you are knitting. The yarn makes all the difference in the world. The old formula is (gauge)squared/9 - ie a 70 gauge machine should run a 5.44/1 worsteds yarn...The higher the twist the stronger and the more it will baloon out.. fasote@aol.com