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Well, let me tell ya somethin’ about these here antique circular sock knitting machines. I ain’t no expert, mind you, but I’ve seen a thing or two. Folks these days, they go on and on about fancy this and fancy that, but back in my day, we made do with what we had. And these machines, well, they were somethin’ else.
What are these things anyway? They’re round contraptions, see? Big metal circles with all sorts of hooks and needles stickin’ out. You crank ’em, and they knit socks. Not like them store-bought socks, no sir. These were sturdy, warm socks, the kind that lasted through winter and then some. You could knit a whole heap of socks in no time flat with one of these things. Faster than any old lady knittin’ with two needles, that’s for sure. Nowadays, you see them called “Vintage Circular Sock Knitting Machine” or “Antique Circular Sock Knitting Machine” on that there internet. Folks sellin’ ’em, buyin’ ’em, all over the place.
Now, I hear tell that some fella named Brunel, a Frenchie, he come up with the idea way back when. 1816, they say. Imagine that! Before my time, even. He made the first one that could knit tubes of fabric. Then, during that big war, the one with all the soldiers, well, they needed socks somethin’ awful. Thousands and thousands of ‘em! So, these machines, they got real popular. They say even today, the machines still work pretty much the same way, with them little hooks and a frame. Though, the ones they got now are probably all fancy-pants, not like the old ones.
- Are they worth anything? Well, that depends. Some folks think just because somethin’s old, it’s worth a fortune. But that ain’t always true. I’ve seen plenty of old junk that ain’t worth a dime. These machines, they gotta have all their parts. And the little instruction books, too. Otherwise, they ain’t much good to nobody, unless you’re one of them collector fellas. They like things that just sit there on a shelf looking pretty. But, if you find a complete one, with all its bits and pieces, and it’s an old one like a Harrison or a “New Sun”, well, then you might have somethin’ there.
- Are they any good? Well, sure, if you want to make socks fast. They say they’re quicker than knittin’ by hand, and the socks all come out lookin’ the same size. You don’t get that with hand-knitted socks, no sir. Every one’s a little bit different. And these machines, they can make fancy patterns too, though I reckon not as fancy as you could do with your own two hands if you were clever enough. But there’s a catch. You can’t knit just any old thing you want. The machines, they got their limits. They’re good at makin’ overall patterns, but if you want somethin’ really complicated, well, you might be outta luck.
I remember seein’ one of these machines at my grandma’s house when I was just a little tyke. It was all dusty and tucked away in the attic, but I was fascinated by it. Grandma said it belonged to her mother, and that she used to knit all the family’s socks with it. I always wanted to try it out, but grandma said it was too complicated for a young’un like me. She said it took a real steady hand and a good eye to make it work right. I wish I had learned how to use it back then. Now, they’re gettin’ hard to find, and the ones you do find, well, they cost a pretty penny. Ebay, they say, is the place to look. They got all sorts of deals, “Fast Free shipping” they say. But I tell you what, you gotta be careful. There’s a lot of folks out there tryin’ to make a quick buck sellin’ junk.
So, if you’re lookin’ for one of these antique circular sock knitting machines, do your homework. Don’t just jump at the first one you see. Make sure it’s got all its parts, and that it’s in good workin’ order. And don’t pay too much, neither. There’s always another one comin’ along. And if you do get your hands on one, well, take care of it. These machines, they’re a part of history, you know? They remind us of a time when things were made to last, and when folks knew how to make do with what they had.
Anyways, that’s all I know about these contraptions. They were good back in the day, and I guess some folks still find them useful. But for me, I’ll stick to my old needles, even if it takes me a little longer. At least I can make any pattern I like, no matter how complicated it is.
Tags: Antique Circular Sock Knitting Machine, Vintage Circular Sock Knitting Machine, Harrison Knitting Machine, New Sun Circular Knitting Machine, Sock Knitting Machine, Knitting History, Textile Machinery
