Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with this old thing called a Gearhart Circular Sock Knitting Machine. Yeah, it’s a mouthful, but basically, it’s this cool antique machine that knits socks. I found it at a market, thought it looked interesting, and, well, now I’m kind of obsessed.
First off, this thing is old. Like, really old. I did some digging, and it turns out the Gearhart Knitting Machine Company started making these back in 1888. Mine is probably from somewhere around the early 1900s. Just imagine, someone over a hundred years ago was probably using this very machine to make socks!
When I got it, it was pretty dusty and some parts were a bit stuck. I started by giving it a good clean. Just some warm water, gentle soap, and a soft cloth. I didn’t want to use anything harsh that could damage it. Then, I carefully oiled all the moving parts. There are tons of little gears and levers, and I wanted to make sure everything was running smoothly.
Next came the learning curve. I had no clue how this thing worked. Luckily, I found some old manuals online (well, scanned copies, at least). They weren’t the easiest to understand, but I figured it out bit by bit.
- Threading the yarn: This was tricky at first. You have to guide the yarn through all these different parts, making sure it’s got the right tension.
- Turning the crank: This is where the magic happens. You turn the crank, and the machine starts knitting. It’s actually pretty satisfying to watch the sock slowly take shape.
- Changing needles: To make different parts of the sock, like the heel and toe, you have to manually change which needles are active. It’s a bit fiddly, but you get the hang of it.
My first few attempts were… well, let’s just say they weren’t exactly wearable. More like yarn monsters. But I kept practicing, and slowly but surely, I started to get the hang of it. Now I can make a sock from top to bottom.
A Long Way to Go
I’m still learning, and there are lots of things I want to try, like different stitch patterns and maybe even some colorwork. But for now, I’m just enjoying the process of using this amazing piece of history to create something new.
This whole experience has made me appreciate the craftsmanship that went into these old machines. They were built to last, and with a little care and attention, they can still be used to make beautiful things today.
I still think about who might have used this machine, and I find myself thinking that these machines were used to make socks back then, and who the socks were made for. I found it very interesting!
It’s kind of like having a little piece of history in my home, and I’m excited to keep exploring its possibilities. I’ll keep practicing and see what other cool things I can make with it. Maybe I’ll even start a little sock-making business! Who knows?
