Welcome!
This blog entry is setup to help KCV2023 visitors seeking information related to our booth #47 at the PNE Forum Sat & Sun Sept 23 & 24.
Saturday September 23rd 9am-5pm | Sunday September 24th 9am-4pm
Our booth will be manned by volunteers and our display will be setup super early pre-event on Saturday.
Welcome to our Machine Knitting Demo Organized by CSM Love and sponsored by Knit City Vancouver 2023
THE FOLLOWING IS THE INFORMATION SHOWN IN OUR BOOTH:
To provide you with even more info and cool features of this year’s booth, please take a picture of this website shortcut (to view later or Email Karen at csmloveinfo@gmail.com): https://tinyurl.com/csmlovekcv2023
Our talented volunteers are here to demonstrate a variety of knitting machines featuring:
The Singer Memo-Matic SK700 Flat Bed Knitting Machine – also known as Singer / Studio / Silver Reed Punch Card Knitting Machine / Knitmaster Studio - fabricated 1986.
The Addi Express plastic knitting machine - still being made in Germany.
The modern metal Chambord CSM AccuKnitter Circular Sock Machine - fabricated in Canada 2022.
The vintage metal Autoknitter Circular Sock Machine - estimated fabrication between the early to mid 1900s.
More on these machines:
1. The Singer SK700 standard gauge 4.5mm Flat Bed - is a 200 needle machine that features a 24 stitch punch card, a Knit Radar, it can optionally also be used with a Ribber and a wide variety of accessories including a Lace Carriage. This gauge machine performs best using a range of fiber from lace weight to just under (but not including) worsted weight yarn. | Blog entry of all the components I have with this machine | Yarn weights that work best | See the Flat Bed Love Menu of this website for more.
2. The Addi Express Plastic Knitting Machine works well for all kinds of projects, like sweaters, hats, ear warmer headbands, scarves, blankets, bags, pillows, and other projects that require larger knitted tubes and flat panels. This machine (and similar models) can use a wide variety of yarn thickness fibers which include those these other machines can use plus a slightly heavier yarn. Due to the needle spacing with thinner yarn the worked knitting is more net-like. For more details see the Addi Express website
3. & 4. Our Circular Sock Machines - Chambord CSM AccuKnitter and the Autoknitter:
While a CSM can seamlessly create tubes, and be utilized to make a pair of any sized socks in about an hour (depending on sock design) - many other larger projects can be made from blankets, clothes, bags, dishcloths, flat knitted panels etc. Unlike Flat Bed machines, CSMs have interchangeable cylinders with different slot counts which dictate how many needles can be used in a knitting project. Unlike the Addi Express, CSMs can have needles removed as needed or left in place but lifted out of work to make a specific project. Most CSMs can work with yarn in a variety of weights from lace to fingering sock weight. Limitations on thicker fiber capability depend on needle/yarn clearance in terms of the of the needle slot width (to a point) where a cylinder of 64 needle slots will feature slightly wider slots than a cylinder with twice that many slots. The blue Bog Jacket project display was made from tubes using the 120 needle slot cylinder. The more slots - the narrower the slots must be and therefore the finer the fiber needed for that setup.
TAKE HOME PARTICIPATION & FREE PROJECTS:
I have created FREE project beginnings for you to finish at home (with all how to on my event shortcut page) and in addition for the final day of Knit City - I am gifting visitors a free SPA CLOTH (see below) - While supplies last - (one per person please).
CSM SPA CLOTH
LAST DAY OF KNIT CITY 2023 GIFT: These are finished items - multi sided multi-purpose cloth for dishes or face/shower use. Can hold a bar of soap! Click on the CSM SPA CLOTH title above to go to the blog entry with video how they were created and more.
SMALL RED SINGLE SOCK
-Small red single sock - close the toe with Kitchener from the Purl side. We’ve created a limited number (while supplies last) of small red sock machine socks that just need the closing of the toe on these cuff down socks using the Kitchener stitch. Watch MY KITCHENER VIDEO of this being done from the inside or Purl side of the sock.
Brave Bunny
-Knitted square start that was knitted in the round on a plastic 46 needle Addi Express Kingsize machine.. For full supplies and step by step instructions see BRAVE BUNNY VIDEO | BLOG | Baby Brave Bunny | (We are now out of these items)
Planned Knitting Machine Demos
SOCK TUBES for “After Thought” Socks (you finish at home). See our event url for how later.
The modern Chambord CSM AccuKnitter is available to be used with guidance at this event to create a 64 stitch sock tube for yourself from your prepped event purchased yarn. *Your fingering weight sock yarn needs to be wound at the winding booth prior to be worked on the CSM*
Want to make yourself a sock tube?
If it gets busy we will be using a waitlist - please write your name on the clipboard and check in as needed if a line develops. TURNING THE MACHINE HANDLE - We will advise you to work the machine in reverse (turning crank handle counter clockwise) so that the tube knitting will be created in the same direction hand knitting is regularly done - from right to left (however a tube worked in the regular CSM direction is still useable for socks).
HELPFUL TIPS: When turning the machine handle it is important to keep a smooth movement in the one direction, not racing nor jerking or reversing the handle. Ensure the hanging buckle weight does not rest on the floor or the stitches will faulter.
Want to make more than one sock tube?
To keep things fair for all please limit yourself to ONE tube per seating at busy times - for any extra tubes please put your name back on the list so that everyone gets a chance.
Knitted gauge differs depending on yarn properties and machine settings. This CSM is able to knit at a variety of settings - Please advise our volunteer which sock tube sample provided is closer to your preferred gauge so that he can slightly adjust for your approximate preferred gauge before starting. Gauge knitted is a guess on first use. Your sock tube will start and end with some scrap yarn. Please thank your volunteer.
LIVE DEMO - Addi Express Plastic Machine - our volunteer has shared she may demonstrate knitted pumpkins using the machine. This may change.
LIVE DEMO - FLAT BED: a Shrug (Hug) simple garment built from a rectangle shape. I will use the punch card to knit a decorative stitch and finish the garment off the machine. I’ve created this project before - see the blog entry from April as featured on my website under the Flat Bed Love Menu.
A huge thank you KCV2023 for making this demo possible.
CIRCULAR SOCK MACHINE CSM
In terms of circular sock machines often we’re asked if buying a new modern machine is better than a working vintage one?
Chambord CSM in Canada fabricates almost any part needed (among many other things) so buying a vintage working machine can be worthwhile. Yes parts are still available even if it’s vintage!
There’s no such thing as easier circular sock machine - taking the time to learn any machine with reasonable expectations can see success. See this page.
What yarn weights can be used on a machine like this?
Depending on how many needle slots the cylinder has (which dictates what fibre will work easily and clear the slot with needle) - generally lace weight through to fingering weight yarn with some slightly thicker yarn possible on the lower slot count (slightly wider needle slot) cylinders (like 60 slots or less). This is similar to the standard flat bed but slightly more restricted see the Standard Yarn Range.
The surprisingly controversial history of a knitting machine interweave article written by Krista Ann