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  1. #1
    Join Date
    24th September 04
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    Victoria, BC Canada 48° 25' 47.31"N 123° 20' 4.59" W
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    A peek at my new toy

    Some of you may remember that a few years ago Freedom Kilts had access to an antique circular sock knitting machine.

    If you don't here is a little background of these fascinating machines.

    Invented in the late 1800's the hand-cranked circular sock knitting machine was often sold door to door by traveling salesmen before Fuller brushes and vacuum cleaners. They were sold to housewives with a contract to purchase the yarn from the same company who would buy the finished socks back.

    Thousands of these machines were made and sold by over 50 different companies. Legare and the Auto-knitter in Canada, Gearhart in the US. There were English, French and German machines.

    Here is just one link, to just one site, dedicated to these machines.
    http://joybileefarm.com/lest-we-forg...ne-to-freedom/

    In WWI The only commercial sock knitting company was producing 5400 pairs of socks a week. Far fewer than the demand. When the call went out through the Red Cross for socks, caps, and scarves for servicemen overseas everyone started knitting. Colleges set up knitting clubs. Andrew Carnegie converted a ballroom of his NY mansion into a knitting factory. Both men and women knitted on buses and trains on the way to work.

    It is estimated that 40% of all the socks used by soldiers during the war to prevent trench foot were knitted on Circular Sock Machines in living rooms and kitchens all across the U.S. and Canada.

    After the war ladies kept knitting socks earning a little extra income for the niceties of life. With their own money and the pride of earning it themselves it was only a matter of time before they wanted the vote.

    The Circular Sock Machine holds a place in the history of the Women's movement.

    Until very recently these machines were only available as antiques. Usually found at farm auctions and estate sales they were discovered by home knitters and the eccentrics like me who were intrigued by the machine itself. But re-conditioning a 100 year old machine that has sat in a barn is not easy.

    A few years ago a company in New Zealand began producing a new Circular Sock Machine, AKA a CSM.
    In 2007 a small gear manufacturing company in Cape Girardeau, MO also began reverse engineering one of these antiques.

    http://stores.erlbachergearhart.com/

    Here are a few pics of my new Earlbacher Gearhart CSM.





    Last edited by Steve Ashton; 21st May 14 at 12:52 AM.
    Steve Ashton
    Forum Owner

  2. The Following 3 Users say 'Aye' to Steve Ashton For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    Join Date
    24th September 04
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    Victoria, BC Canada 48° 25' 47.31"N 123° 20' 4.59" W
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    With the former machine we were able to make kilt hose pretty well.



    At the time they were the longest and thickest kilt hose I knew of.



    One the top is my Heritage Hose made on our CSM.
    In the middle are the Pipers Hose from Gaelic Themes.
    And on the bottom the standard Wool Rich Hose also from Gaelic themes.

    We were also able to do custom hose as requested.
    One customer has very thin legs and wanted to wear his hose in the Military style so wanted them shorter than today's standard.
    One customer had his toes amputated so needed one foot very short.

    This new machine set me back a few dollars so I will need to make about 300 pairs to pay it off. That is not the reason I bought it though.
    I have yet to make a full sock. I'm still learning and perfecting techniques. But I should soon be able to again offer my Heritage hose. Custom made, hand crafted.

    I even hope to be able to fit athletes with huge calves.

    Stay tuned for updates.

    In the mean time enjoy this 8 min video on making a sock.

    Last edited by Steve Ashton; 21st May 14 at 12:54 AM.
    Steve Ashton
    Forum Owner

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  5. #3
    Join Date
    21st December 05
    Location
    Hawick, Scotland
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    Nice one Steve, congratulations on your new acquisition.
    Regional Director for Scotland for Clan Cunningham International, and a Scottish Armiger.

  6. #4
    Join Date
    26th November 04
    Location
    Dayton, Ohio
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    I never knew such a machine existed. Looks like it turns out an excellent sock.

  7. #5
    Join Date
    30th January 14
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    North Carolina
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    Fascinating. I never knew such a machine existed either.

    It's great when old technologies get a new lease on life.
    Tulach Ard

  8. #6
    Join Date
    31st July 13
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    Hemet California
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    Fascinating...I wish you luck with your new machine, it looks like it may take some time to master.

  9. #7
    Join Date
    22nd January 13
    Location
    Lake Macquarie, near Newcastle NSW
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    Thank you Steve, as is often the case, you come up with something unexpected and interesting. When I first read the title of the post, I thought it may perhaps be a companion for the Jag.
    Grizzled Ian
    XMTS teaches much about formal kilt wear, but otherwise,
    ... the kilt is clothes, what you wear with it should be what you find best suits you and your lifestyle. (Anne the Pleater)
    "Sometimes, it is better not to know the facts" (Father Bill)

  10. #8
    Join Date
    28th March 06
    Location
    Victoria, BC
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grizzled Ian View Post
    Thank you Steve, as is often the case, you come up with something unexpected and interesting. When I first read the title of the post, I thought it may perhaps be a companion for the Jag.
    Unlike the Jag, this toy does not require an expenditure in gasoline....only coffee to keep the cranking arm "lubricated"......

  11. The Following 3 Users say 'Aye' to KiltedKnome For This Useful Post:


  12. #9
    Join Date
    5th September 05
    Location
    Chicago
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    Hallelujah! I've been hoping that you'd figure out a way to make the Heritage Hose production work out to your exacting standards because I'd love to get some truly thick hose. PLEASE keep us apprised of your progress with that beautiful thing…

    Best

    AA
    ANOTHER KILTED LEBOWSKI AND...HEY, CAREFUL, MAN, THERE'S A BEVERAGE HERE!

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  14. #10
    Join Date
    18th August 13
    Location
    Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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    Fascinating; what a neat machine! Thanks for the pictures and history Steve, and congratulations on your new toy!
    Allen Sinclair, FSA Scot
    Eastern Region Vice President
    North Carolina Commissioner
    Clan Sinclair Association (USA)

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