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2018 Sep 9 - Newly up-styled CSM stand

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Original wood bar-stool purchased from Canadian Tire hardware store (shown below as 1.0 - now upgraded and wood stained). I do not recommend wood stools such as this (even with cutout for the machine) as it becomes top heavy and easy to tip.

Here is the results to upgrading Table 1.0. After upgrading this setup it gained the stability it lacked - widening the supports and reinforcing them, increasing the table top work area.

I donated this wood stained upgraded table at the Spokane, Washington - USA Crank-In Sep 20-23 2019 as I switched to a new style - the adjustable height Ridgid table top system that Erlbacher Gearhart uses in their tables sold on their website.

See my Ideas and Upgrades. | For more info on supplies I like see here.

Posted also on Instagram

INSTAGRAM: REF1, REF2, REF3,

My first table/setup - Table 1.0

My first table/setup - Table 1.0

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2018 Sep 9 - DIY: Yarn Cake Holder

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I created these two portable yarn cake holders - a double horizontal yarn cake holder and a single table mounted version.

The item on the left can be moved around like a light can and clamps to any surface a ball winder can clamp.

I used these prior to upgrading to an actual cone winder which I feel is a better way to control yarn tension. See my YARN WINDER page.

Video of this double holder in use

INSTAGRAM: REF1

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2018 Aug 21 - CSM Travel Storage Stand

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Each of the photos can be viewed bigger if clicked

When I had this idea as it appears above in the images, it was inspired by the need to travel locally by bus with my machine and to ensure upon arrival that I can still use my machine - even if the local tables are too thick to mount the machine to their tables. Video summary of this cool idea.

This project began with the inspiration of a hardware store wood ‘crate’ which had the holes cut into each side as a handle. Basically I removed all the ineffective slats and up-cycled those handle pieces, replacing all other sides with wood I then purchased.

Featuring:
-an inner vertical shelf (reinforced with a sheet of metal) to clamp and protect the machine within
-a top horizontal surface to clamp the machine onto for use on the stand, anywhere (without buckle weights)
-without the machine clamped to the top surface, the left and right clasps open to allow the top to completely flip up and open on a horizontal hinge on the back of the stand (an extra unecessary feature it was later decided however it is nice to be able to check the machine easily if needed while clamped on the inner vertical shelf).
-rubberized strips were applied the bottom of the stand for secure use on any surface

FUTURE IDEAS:
-design a new version of the stand so that the buckle and buckle weights can be used on the stand with the machine while not unbalancing it.

INSTAGRAM: REF1,

SEE ALL BLOG ENTRIES ON THE BLOG INDEX PAGE | Follow us on a variety of social sites see TAPLINK | Interested in Circular Sock Machines? See the CSM START Menu first page. | Seek something specific? Checkout the Index page.

2018 August 18 - Nearby events!?

Prior to this date I had found what little CSM info I could on YAHOO GROUPS.

Yahoo groups was a basic forum where persons mostly just added text. It was all there was next to what could be found on YouTube.

I personally found videos on YouTube to be presented in a fast-paced, mostly vague way where images didn’t necessarily show each and every step, or those steps shown were incomplete. This might have just been my perception of course but at the time all I remember is frustration.

AND THEN I found CSM groups on FACEBOOK! SEE THIS PAGE

And THEN I discovered there was a SPOKANE, WASHINGTON USA event in September - an event that if I had a car, I could drive 7 hours to get there and FINALLY learn more hands-on CSM.

Thanks exclusively to Kathy Howland, the organizer of this event for her tireless communication and suggestion to ask the event demonstrator, Steve Ashton of Victoria, BC to see if it would be at all possible to commute to this event together.

I discovered the Sock Society - CSKMS - with a minimal fee you get a three year membership - what a deal! Support your craft!

WOW!


SEE ALL BLOG ENTRIES ON THE BLOG INDEX PAGE | Follow us on a variety of social sites see TAPLINK | Interested in Circular Sock Machines? See the CSM START Menu first page. | Seek something specific? Checkout the Index page.

2016 Jan 24 - Toe Up Socks on the CSM

On this date I added my first CSM project to Ravelry. At the time I only used the 54 slot cylinder on the machine even though it came with a 54 and a 72 slot cylinder. I did not know how to use the Ribber so as most do, I avoided it at the time.

I found if I made a toe-up sock, that even taking the sock off the machine and finishing with hand knitted cuffs, the cuffs themselves were almost too narrow to try to put the sock on. I was discouraged. At the time I was not aware of mock rib so at this point after attempting a few variations, I again put the machine into storage.

See My RAVELRY entry for my first PROJECT

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2014 April 12 - Susan Forsyth

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Machine Repair & Hands On Demo
I looked high and low over the next two years, communicating via email with infrequent nuggets of information on what I could do, where it could be sent, how it could be made to work. I remember my first email to Chambord CSM - Dave Lord in Quebec, Canada with the option to send it to them. While a fantastic idea and opportunity, at the time I was daunted with sending it for cost and potential shipping damage but I considered it. Then I found Susan Forsyth who lives in Mission, BC. (63km from me in Vancouver, BC). I was so EXCITED! We arranged to drop my machine off at her home in April 2014. I advised Susan I was in no hurry for the repair and was very appreciative.

I believe it was ready in June of that year - below are the photos of my now working machine setup in Susan’s living room, on her table etc. What excitement!

Susan reviewed how some of the components were bent and needing replacement - which were done, and that the obvious sound of ‘grinding’ when turning the crank handle was normal for a machine like this which hadn’t seen much use. The recommendation was to try to turn the handle every day (with needles disengaged so no latches were damaged if the yarn carrier contacted them).

To be fair after returning home I still did not give this now working machine the attention it deserved. As a single person, many other parts of my life took priority. BUT at least now I COULD use the machine - it went into storage.

Susan allowed me to record her - here is an edited version JUST TO DEMO SOUNDS
Listen for how noisy my machine sounds as the vintage parts had next to no use.

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To the right is how my machines looks now (as of October 2019 - refurbished by Chambord CSM)

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2012 CSM Introduction

While attending a regular friday knitting night event sometime in 2012, we had a CSM brought in and demonstrated - a Canadian autoknitter.

My first table I made for my setup. I do not recommend this basic setup as its easy to tip.

My first table I made for my setup. I do not recommend this basic setup as its easy to tip.

It was ever so exciting to see it in person as before that evening I’d only seen similar machines on YouTube.

Seeing this machine lit a fire under my butt for the want to also own one - that evening I looked high and low for any info on CSMS and where to obtain one. My only finding was one on eBay for under $1000. After communicating to the seller (who said the machine functioned as it should) and setting up a off eBay payment plan (it was a lot of money after all) - I DO NOT RECOMMEND DOING THIS - I bid on the listing.

Once the payments were complete the seller sent me the machine - it’s components were well wrapped in its heavy wooden open-topped original box. The machine when assembled, did not work as it should when the handle was turned. I was crestfallen and put it aside to be re-evaluated again on another day.

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HISTORY of CRAFTING:

It’s 2012 and while I crocheted most of my life, I learned to knit in 2010 at a geek coffee shop get together. I once owned and used both the bigger and smaller Addi Express King Size plastic machines and I explored many different crafts. Prior to fiber I dabbled with bead and wirework, which I made a vast array of creations from 1990-2007. I moved to Switzerland in 2004 with my then husband, and returned divorced March 2007. I chose to donate my massive bead and wire work supplies to the Cancer Camp for Children so that I could positively help others. My marriage was a hard and lonely one and I had used my crafting to keep my sanity so being able to have it go somewhere positive was a personal choice.

2012 - My first hand knitting project was a knitted Mobius - the how to use knitting needles taught at a geek event in a coffee shop. PROJECT

2011 - While not my first project made on my plastic Addi Kingsize, first posted PROJECT

2010 - My first project added to Ravelry was a very large kingsize one piece crocheted blanket. PROJECT

SEE ALL BLOG ENTRIES ON THE BLOG INDEX PAGE | Follow us on a variety of social sites see TAPLINK | Interested in Circular Sock Machines? See the CSM START Menu first page. | Seek something specific? Checkout the Index page.