Okay, here is my blog post about making a DIY sock knitting machine:
You won’t believe what I got myself into this time. I’ve always wanted to knit my own socks, but hand-knitting takes forever, right? So, I thought, why not build a sock knitting machine? Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy, but stick with me here.
Getting Started
First, I watched a bunch of videos online. People have made these machines out of all sorts of stuff, like PVC pipes and wood. I decided to go with wood because I had some scraps lying around. I grabbed some tools, a circular saw, a drill, and started cutting.
Building the Frame
The frame was the first big hurdle. I cut out two large circles of wood and connected them with some smaller pieces to make a cylinder. Then, I made a base to hold the whole thing steady. It looked pretty wonky at first, but after some sanding and adjusting, it started to resemble a knitting machine frame.
Adding the Needles
Next up, the needles. This was the trickiest part. I used a bunch of nails and hammered them into the top circle. It was tough getting them all evenly spaced, I made a cardboard template to space them out, and I marked on the wood circle using the template. It took a lot of trial and error, and my fingers were pretty sore by the end. I had to pull a few out and redo them, but eventually, I had a full circle of nails sticking up.
Making the Crank
The crank was another challenge. I used a piece of PVC pipe for the handle and attached it to a wooden gear I cut out. It took some fiddling to get the gear to turn smoothly, but I managed it. I even added a little wooden knob to make it easier to grip. It is not smooth, but it can work.
The First Test
With the frame, needles, and crank in place, it was time for the first test. I loaded up some yarn and started cranking. At first it was a disaster, the yarn kept getting tangled, and the needles weren’t catching it properly. It made a total mess and I started to question if I did it the right way.
Adjustments and Tweaks
I spent the next few days making adjustments. I tightened some screws, adjusted the spacing of the needles, and even added a weight to keep the yarn tension consistent. It was a lot of back and forth, but each tweak made a difference. I watched some videos again, and I found that some people used binder clips for tension, I tried it out, and it worked out great!
Finally, a Sock!
Finally, after days of work, I managed to knit a sock! It wasn’t perfect, there were a few dropped stitches, and the tension was a bit off in places, but it was a sock! I was so excited that I immediately started on another one. I kept making socks, and they kept getting better and better. Now I can make them pretty fast, but not as fast as those fancy machines, but hey, they do work!
What I Learned
This project taught me a lot. Patience is key, and sometimes you just have to keep trying until you get it right. It’s also super satisfying to make something with your own hands, even if it’s a bit rough around the edges. And most importantly, don’t listen to people who tell you it is impossible, you can make anything possible!
So, if you’re thinking about building your own sock knitting machine, go for it! It’s a fun and rewarding project, and you’ll end up with some unique, handmade socks. Just be prepared for a bit of a learning curve. And, if you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments. I’ll do my best to help!
