SUPPLIES I LIKE (and recommend)

WHERE one can get any of these items is noted otherwise they can be found by viewing the SUPPLIERS page. Note that for eBay, Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Harbor Freight and Hardware store listed items you will need to go to those providers to locate as sometimes links to those items can expire.

Have a VINTAGE MACHINE!?
Be sure to check out our dedicated page for SUPPLIES I LIKE - VINTAGE to check your machines basic components.

I often get requests for a list of items I consider essential for the CSM. Yes you can probably use your machine with what it came with however I would recommend you consider…

CASTING ON

I am a huge fan of the Universal Bonnet I created - its flat and UNIVERSAL (can be used on all your cylinders*). Make your own Universal Bonnet using this VIDEO or buy one for CAD$32 (includes shipping) see my UNIVERSAL BONNET page. Quick review on how to Cast On with this. Detailed write up on how to Cast On is on my HANDOUT page.

Or choose to make your own basic tube style Cast On Bonnet (Cylinder specific tube style) by following this VIDEO. See ALL my non-sock videos on My YouTube VIDEO page. Want to see how to separate your bonnet from scrap? See this video and/or see Ravel Cord on this page.

Removing the scrap from the bonnet: One way is to run Ravel cord which is slippery. There’s a lot of friction with all the loops on the first row contacting the rings. Another is to cast on with looser tension so the initial row is big and loopy and easily cut and pulled or do an Edward scissor hand and cut like crazy.

What I do is use two bonnets leaving the scrap on one and using the second bonnet when needed. I then use the scrap left on the first bonnet to cast on with the second

For how to videos on casting on using a variety of cast on items or tools please see that heading on CSM-Video Hotlist.

CHAIR

CLEANING THE CSM

Regardless to the material your machine is made of, with enough use and certain kinds of fiber - there will be a accumulation oof debris needing to be cleaned out. Using a cheap paintbrush as a broom is one way to avoid the quick buildup of any messy fiber as you work on the machine. If there is extensive (or never cleaned in AGES) buildup you might need to gently use your stitch pick tool to clear clogged ribber and cylinder slots. It’s recommended to remove fiber debris before using anything to degrease or ‘clean’ the machine.

On a metal component - One can EASILY use grease-busting dish-soap on dismantled pieces however its recommended to try to quickly dry the pieces to prevent excessive oxidizing of unpainted metal (like a frying pan) so that you can re-apply clean sewing machine oil.

See the blog entries:

Servicing an Autoknitter | Cleaning a CSM (Legare) | Museum Canadian Autoknitter

We now have dedicated pages for LEGARE and AUTOKNITTER

COLORWORK

(see Mini Masts below)

CONTAINERS

COVERS (Machine)

JFro & Co. - Julie Froese | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Email: jfroaco@gmail.com | Phone: (250) 877-8424 | This awesome Canadian company creates many things - however the most useful multi-use item that I just discovered is the “medium bucket bag” - it can cover and protect the machine needles on the CSM at home or during travel then be removed to be used either on the floor or hung from the table/machine as a garbage bin/tool keeper. PLUS the drawstring top with handle make this a perfect project bag for when away from the machine. I no longer have to lay my tools under the machine or have them roll off my small table top.

More photos coming.

Instagram POST

Queen City Creations | Etsy | USA based company that creates a variety of things including “Sock machine cover/scrap bins”

CYLINDERS

Of course you should use the cylinder that works with your machine but have you seen these COMPOUND CYLINDERS?!

A compound cylinder is a regular cylinder upgraded. By design it utilizes a narrower circumference allowing for a narrower knitted tube. Some choose to upgrade to these specialty cylinders to make kids socks (narrower tube) however children socks can still be made on a regular cylinder utilizing less needles in a regular cylinder, using the heel spring and/or adding Lycra to the sock. Therefore a compound cylinder isn’t an essential item on a general setup (and not provided with vintage machines) but an option.

Depending on your machine there are a few makers out there including Dave Lord of Chambord CSM who now makes Compound Cylinders and Compound Ribber Dials for a wide variety of machines already on the market. There are some persons making 3D printed versions as well.

Note: when using different regular same type cylinders (and all machine settings etc are the same) the distance between the slots will change the stitches made. Therefore if you’re getting ideal stitches on a 72 and swap to a 54 you are going to change the settings to get the same stitches on the wider spaced 54. (Image curtesy of Yasmin Köck)

CYLINDER AND RIBBER NEEDLES

Obtain the NEW needles YOUR machine requires.

For example, cylinder and ribber needles for a Legare CSM are also compatible: Auto Knitter, NZAK (New Zealand Autoknitter), Quiknit, most Creelmans, Master Machine, Harmony, Golden Fleece, Home Profit, and the Verdun.

As a STANDARD USE, I use the regular hook cylinder and ribber needle. My ribber needles are the LONG BUTT (not short). When in doubt as your SUPPLIER.

Check the suppliers page for sellers of these needles.

For my final Canadian cost after all expenses, needles approximately cost CAD0.75-0.90 cents each so treat them nice.

Big Hook needles were designed for easier use with fatter yarn on the machine. When using any needle they all must be the same when used on the machine.

HEEL/TOE WEIGHTS & YARN CARRIERS / YARN MAST & TOPPERS

Buy a new version of THE BENT ROD on ETSY

A question sometimes asked is how heavy are the weights in the weight stack or stem weights? For this and more see my blog entry CSM Weights Nov 30, 2021

WHY THE CHAMBORD 2-WAY ADJUSTABLE SLOTTED YARN CARRIER IS AWESOME…I strongly recommend it. Yes you can modify your vintage one (whether it looks like this or is a two way adjustable version). When using or swapping out cylinders sometimes the distance to the cylinder differs between cylinders. SOME vintage Yarn Carriers are ONE PIECE LIKE MINE SHOWN and thus make it a bit difficult for precision adjustments (and some of those one piece Yarn Carriers get bent in shipping).

Video of the wonderful SweetSpot Hook & Hook Weight Set in use.

LIGHTING - There is no such thing as too much light.

LUBRICANT

The best or BETTER product or lubricant to use depends on the type of CSM material your machine is made of (if not vintage steel).

For example some of the newer style 3D printed PLA plastic machines require a specific NON-OIL material for lubrication. Dean & Bean recommended maintenance. Another lubricant for this style machine: Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Grease (NLGI 2), 3 oz Tube. Dave Huelster noted he uses regular sewing machine oil on his PETG 3D plastic printed cylinders without issue.

While in terms of that used for metal CSMS - it’s generally sewing machine oil as it isn’t toxic in any way (ESSENTIAL), nor is it corrosive or harmful to breath. Sewing machine oil like “Lily White” can be washed easily out of knitwear and in terms of metal csms, and more oil can help ‘clean out’ (or flush) tiny dirt particulate from the machine.

FLATBED Lubricant see this VIDEO

MINI MAST/Colorwork

The purpose: a useful way to manage multiple yarn sources is something called a Mini-Mast - this is something placed near or on a CSM so it can better manage more than one yarn source with minimal yarn twisting.

For free colorwork how to videos see the Techniques page (found on the main page under the menu “My Videos and Patterns”. Additionally see the quick lookup INDEX page under “Mini Mast” for all I’ve done regarding that topic.

While colorwork can be done without this accessory, this item makes it easier.

Chambord CSM - Dave Lord, a expert machinist and CSM refurbisher/maker has made a modern version of the vintage Argyle Yarn Topper with yarn source management. Email them to enquire. | Website | My page for them with additional videos added.

I made mine myself out of metal and it fits on my Legare 400/Chambord CSM AccuKnitter. | See the blog entry of the Mini-Mast creation and design | The longer vertical mast I created for more working room | First Mini-Mast Sock Project | Valentine’s Day Socks | Blog Index | Find topics site-wide on the index page

MINI-MAST/COLORWORK - 3D printed plastic versions

Dean and Bean, a US company fabricates a table mounted version. | ITEM | Website |

TurtleMade, a US company fabricates a CAM shell ribber mount Mini Mast proposed for the Erlbacher CSM. Some have modified the two prong mount to a one prong and have used this item on their non-Erlbacher machines. | ITEM | Etsy seller

3D printed Colorwork Mini Mast by posted on printables by Holger Pandel and shared on a German Facebook group Jan 2024.

MISC

For more information on upgrading the Brake on your Yarn Topper see this video.

I’ve added a nee heading “Containers” to this page - with those also appearing under Misc for ease of reference. For more info on upgrading your Yarn Topper Brake please see MY IDEAS AND UPGRADES

Needles

Machine needles are specific to the circular sock machine the are made to be used with.

Generally needles are not universal so it’s important to use the correct needles for your machine. If you have a Ribber Setup with a Tappet and Ribber Dial, then you will also need Ribber Needles. See CSM START-Page Two | See where to buy needles on the SUPPLIERS page (under the supplies menu)

Ravel Cord

Special thanks to Martita for introducing me to these KnitPicks Yarn Bobbins. :)

If you use something too thin it might be hard to handle to use/pull out of knitting. I find using a smooth braided cord to work the easiest. Cut pieces longer than you need, keep and reused cut segments. Ease of use depends on how and where used. When removing from some scenarios (i.e. from split ringged bonnet a easier approach is to pull Ravel out from halfway point then pull the rest to reduce friction and make removal easier).
See the Ravel Cord Storage video - YouTube shareable link https://youtu.be/6-B4IBCSIOk

What it is and why it’s useful - shareable YouTube video https://youtu.be/NNfaHlDP_UY

Tips to using Ravel Cord with success in a CSM shareable YouTube video https://youtu.be/ZqWT8ZIniGs

See MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS page for tips and techniques!

Ribber Dial Design

The vintage “birds beak” design when viewed from the side shows a swoop that goes in - if a birds beak were able it could be placed in the swoop of the upper level between it and the lower level of that ribber dial. This style I believe was used in the Legare CSMs. Autoknitter vintage dials have a unique design of their own where the channel goes pretty much to the outer edge. Some compare the pro-series to a version of the Autoknitter dial in its basic design which allows for a stable and even support of the ribber needles. See the section CYLINDERS above to see what a Compound Cylinder looks like from Dave Lord of Chambord CSM.

ROW COUNTERS

I’ve been asked a few times how to install a counter that needs contact to count (ie. bale counter). There are MANY different machines so there is not just one way to install - however I noticed on THIS WEBSITE - they have photos near the top of the page of the two basic ways they recommend installing their contact counters. I do not personally recommend magnetic row counters.

FOR MORE INFO ON ROW COUNTERS

SOCK BLOCKING AND SIZING

Full video

THIS IS MY NEW EASY FAVOURITE!
See the image on the right - use for taking photos AND confirming correct size of finished/washed/dried socks. Use with with the free sock sizing scale you print at home. For more info see my Feb 19/21 blog entry.

CHECK OUT MY UPDATE ON INSTAGRAM

See my sizing experiment posted on my Blog Oct 16, 2021 - The difference the Tension Dial makes.

My past sock adjustable sock blockers were these on the left (which require stability upgrades like what I show I did on the video and if not upgraded, don’t fully support the foot nor extend in the correct size increments). See the video with how I upgraded these past adjustable sock blockers - see SOCK, BLOCK & SIZE on My IDEAS AND UPGRADES page

SPLIT RINGS (for Cast On Bonnets)

These are PERFECT for any kind of longer use Cast On Bonnet - whether you choose to make a tubular style cylinder specific Cast On Bonnet or choose to make a flat UNIVERSAL BONNET.
For more information please see MY CAST ON page.

I recommend the 6mm Split Rings (which resemble mini-keyrings). These can be purchased from:

Amazon, eBay, Michael’s craftstore, almost all craft stores. When in doubt check the jewelry supply areas.

TABLES

Below are ONLY two examples of tables I’ve used, to see them all at MY IDEAS AND UPGRADES for what I’ve done with tables. See my INDEX page to find more info on this and other topics.

Table Organization

TOOLS

Not a Knot Tool

See the BLOG entry

HEEL HOLD DOWN TOOL:

Want to see how the Antique Gearhart Hold-Down Tool is being used? See the 44 minute mark on my Cuff Down Mock Rib Shortie Sock video. To see the written detailed pattern on that sock please see my (Patterns &) Sock Video page for that pattern and sock. A modern reversed version is available on Etsy and a 3D printed version from Joyce Knit and Sews.

WEIGHTS

See this blog entry for more info on weights used on the circular sock machine and your options.

Seeking Yarn or Scrap Yarn? See this page. 

Yarn Management including cone winding

FOR MORE INFO SEE HERE

Interested in clear footwear to show off your socks? See these Jeffrey Campbell Heeled Rain Boot

SEE THIS PAGE FOR MORE INFO ON THE FOLLOWING AND MORE:
Cozies and Covers to keep things safe
Mini-Mast for color work. Able to use four colors
Table ORGANIZATION, TABLES and Stands
Cast-On “Tools” or “Start-Up Devices”

Have a question? Please email me csmloveinfo @ gmail.com :)

Current seller of the Bent Rod Buckle is QueenCityCreations on Etsy