Okay, so I recently got into this whole Gearhart sock knitting machine thing, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride. I’ve always been a bit of a hands-on person, love making stuff, you know? So when I saw this vintage-looking machine at a fiber festival, I was like, “What the heck is that awesome thing?” Turns out, it’s this old-school machine that knits socks. I was hooked immediately!
First things first, I started digging around for information. Found some old manuals online, the 1923 one, which was a lifesaver. It helped me figure out the basics. I mean, this thing is pretty different from your regular knitting needles. There’s no automation, so you’re basically doing everything by hand, which is kind of cool, but also, wow, it’s a learning curve.
I decided to get a used one, because, let’s be real, these machines can be pricey. New ones, especially those fancy Speedster models that are all sleek and modern, they’re way out of my budget. I found a decent Gearhart, it came with a stand, but you can also clamp it to a table. I’ve tried both ways, and honestly, it doesn’t make much of a difference to me.
The machine I got had a couple of different cylinders. From what I’ve read, people usually use the 60 and 64-slot ones for ladies’ socks and the 72-slot for men’s. I also got a 48-slot one, just to experiment. It’s been interesting trying out different yarns and sizes. I learned that the thicker the yarn, the easier it is to see the stitches, which is super helpful when you’re starting out.
- I started with the 60-slot cylinder.
- Then I moved on to the 72-slot one.
- Finally, I tried the 48 and 64-slot cylinders.
My first few attempts? Let’s just say they were… interesting. Lots of dropped stitches and uneven tension. But I kept practicing. I made a few scarves before I dared to try a sock. It’s all about getting the hang of cranking the machine and making sure the needles are doing their thing.
My First Socks
My first pair of socks? Well, they were a bit wonky, to say the least. But hey, I made them! They were far from perfect, but wearable. I’ve gotten better since then, learned a few tricks, like how to do the heel and toe without losing my mind.
It’s definitely a journey, this whole circular sock machine thing. But it’s so satisfying to create something from scratch, especially socks, which are way more complicated than they look. If you’re thinking about trying it, I’d say go for it! Just be prepared for a bit of a learning curve, and don’t expect perfection right away. It’s all about the process, and the fun of making something with your own two hands, and a cool old machine.
