The other day JessaLu asked what everyone did last weekend. I said I didn’t do anything. You already know this was a lie because I was participating in Frank Harlow Day. That went great, by the way, and I thank you all for the good wishes and sunny weather. I did something else last weekend, though, and it was kind of a big deal.
It all started on Friday when I was home in between setting up for the event. I was checking a couple of blogs and saw Karen’s post about selling her antique circular sock machines. I’ve wanted one of these for quite some time but I haven’t been willing to invest the money in one as they are pretty expensive. Karen and I emailed back and forth and I found out that she was selling hers for dirt cheap.
And I still had some inheritance money to spend.
And before I knew it I was driving out to Sturbridge on Sunday to meet her and buy one of these machines from her.
And about 10 minutes after I got home from meeting Karen, who showed up in my driveway but JessaLu. Yes indeed, my friend drove 3 hours at the spur of the moment on a Sunday afternoon just to show me how to use my new toy. Amazing.
So we set it up.
Isn’t it pretty?
And we cranked away.
And by the time she left I had finished my first sock.
I closed up the toe myself (thank goodness for YouTube) and tried it on.
I admired the short row heel and picot edge.
And now I just have to make its mate.
It was pretty easy with Jess sitting next to me. I just hope I can remember what she taught me now that I’m on my own!
Carolyn Said,
OMG! I am so jealous!! Absolutely green with envy! I have wanted a sock knitting machine for so long. I saw one for sale at the Mass. Sheep and Wool fair (I saw you there last year but felt too shy and silly to say hello!) but it was way too expensive for me. Enjoy your new toy. One day I will find one for me!
HB Said,
I didn’t even know such a thing existed! I am trying to finish a pair of socks I started 5 years ago – have hit another bump in the road but am planning to spend Friday night at my LYS to get the help and finish them once & for all. And then – I’ll try another pattern!
Sunflowerfairy Said,
Sounds easy enough that I could do it!
And that Jessalu, how sweet is she?? (I’d totally drive all that way too, you know- if I had knowledge of that fancy machine.) lol
Donna Said,
Well even if you couldn’t make it to CT Sheep and Wool you still got a great fiber toy this weekend! What an awesome friend you are JessaLu.
Do you think you will do less sock knitting and more sock machine knitting now?
Enjoy your toy!
Chris Said,
Wow – very cool! Congrats.
deb Said,
Want.One!! Had my chance too but didn’t take it. Yours looks like it’s in remarkably good shape! Nice job on sock one!!
Chrissie Said,
I wish I had known you were in Sturbridge over the weekend. Maybe we could have grabbed a quick lunch.
Dave Daniels Said,
Congratulations, you got it! You are SO going to love it. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. There are SO many things you can make on them, too, not just socks. (Think fingerless gauntlet gloves, tube scarves, stuff like that.) You can really use up a lot of stash, too, this way.
LittleWit Said,
Wow! I would love to get one of those. Hooray for friends who are willing to drive several hours spur of the moment.
Ruth Said,
Wait until you see the socks I just finished. Took me longer, though.
(envious of the sock machine? moi?!?)
pumpkinmama Said,
Another jealous reader here. Love your 1st sock, keep on crankin’
Carrie Said,
It looks great! I got a chance to see one of those in action a while ago – what a clever little machine.
Mary K. in Rockport Said,
Oh, wow – WOW! It makes a short row heel, too? The Industrial Revolution strikes! How long does it take to crank out (literally) one sock? Details, please.
JessaLu Said,
Well…it was *supposed* to take me three hours to get there. *ahem* ;o)
I’m so glad I could help you play with your new toy!! Yay! hehe (does this mean you’re done giving me crap when I crank out three pairs of socks in a day? *grin*)
p.s. Did you put up the pictures yet? lol /runs like hell
britt Said,
wow. that is amazing. i have heard of the machines but never seen one or the results. was it fun? i would think that it would take the relaxation and joy out of sock knitting? but man the possiblities…being able to finish a pair of socks in that amount of time. amazing.
Hillary Said,
Hmmm suddenly I feel like I may need a sock machine. No, not yet but if you keep cranking out pretty socks with yours then I may start jonesing for one myself. Have fun with yours.
Danielle Said,
You have mad skillz indeed! What a great new toy.
Nora Said,
That is so fun! It would be really interesting to see some photos of it in action – if you feel like it sometime!
margene Said,
How fun!! Now you can make socks for everyone you know!
Patty Said,
Wow – that is a serious piece of equipment to own! I’m a day late but an even bigger WOW to the dining room. I like your style!
Karen Said,
You are so lucky! Good luck with your new toy. I can’t wait to see all the socks you knit.
LisaK Said,
That’s pretty cool! but… isn’t it cheating? ;-P lol
Teyani Said,
Wow. cool new toy!
And now you’ll be even more of a sock knitting queen!! (literally crankin’ ‘em out
Robby Said,
Lovely. But I don’t really think you can call THAT portable knitting. LOL
Cookie Said,
Woo Hoo!
I love that first sock! Did you make it’s mate yet? Did you loan her some hoops while she was visiting?
sprite Said,
What fun — and a cute sock to boot!
elizabeth Said,
So cool! I’d love to see one of those in action!
Carol Said,
Wow!!! What a cool thing to play around with! Is this the end of dpns for you?
Kim Said,
Very Cool!!
Beth Said,
So cool! Watch out – you might have people sending you their stashes to knit up for them.
Stephanie Said,
Oh wow. That’s pretty amazing!
Norma Said,
And tubular scarves, too! So cool.
Sara Said,
Oh, that is too cool…That has to be an awesome toy. That’s what I would consider a great toy…
Good for you that you treated yourself to it….
Lucia Said,
Very nice! I don’t think I’ll be getting one of those any time soon, but they are cool gadgets.
I missed your dining-room post, but it looks awesome.
stephanie Said,
SO COOL! I love those things. I think even Hubby would like knitting if he had one of those.
Doris Said,
Too cool! I have wanted one forever, but haven’t been able to justify the expense when I have seen any available. I think I will have to keep looking, cause it just looks like such fun.
jill Said,
Dang Girl! That’s one nifty machine.
Karen Said,
I have a feeling you’ll do just fine on your own. Pretty sock!
Sue Said,
How cool is that!
Sylvia Said,
Ooooh, you got a good one! (Some are pesky.) And I thought you were scary with your huge number of socks you were hand knitting… Do you always do things perfectly the first time?!!! Wow.
Catie Said,
Congrats on entering into the world of machine knitting. Your first sock turned out great. I made 5 socks the other weekend on my brother knitting machine, I may yet use up my huge sock yarn collection. (I’m moving away from the word “stash”. I want to appreciate my yarn for it’s inherent beauty!
Manise Said,
Congrats on the new toy! I saw her post the ACS for sale- wondered who would snap it up. Very nice sock and wonderful Jessalu for coming to talk you through it all.
Knitnana Said,
We have a member of our knitting group who has one, and demonstrated at our last NoSo Knit. What fun! Congrats on a productive find…
(((hugs)))
kmkat Said,
I recently discovered that an acquaintance’s husband has about ten of these (she is not a knitter, nor is he — he’s just a collector of stuff). Now I have to think about whether I really, really want to be a product or a process knitter. Tough choice.
Wanda Said,
Way to go! That’s pretty awesome. Now you’ll be churning through the sock yarn stash at an even faster rate!
maryse Said,
oh wow. that is fantastic. so how about i give you a crochet refresher and you show me how to fly this thing.
lisa Said,
Way cool! If I had one of those, maybe I’d actually finish socks in less than a month or two, or three… Your new DR looks GREAT!
Lisa Said,
Wow, what a fun new tool for you to play with. And what a great friend to come out and help you!!
Cynthia Said,
Okay, I have to admit a little envy here, although since you can now crank them out I would like to know when I can expect a pair! Glad to see you have found another great way to stash enhance – I love it! Definitely one nifty machine.
Emily Said,
Crazy! Of course it would be an antique – how do the short row heels work? Do you just leave a hole and fix it later? Does the machine know how to do that?