Among Other Things, Sock Machine Questions
Plato said something like "The beginning is the most important part of the work." If that is so, then I have been being very important the last few days. I started the Leopard Mittens:
I cast on for the Marina Piccola socks in Koigu PPPM #P514:
I put some Sereknity fiber on the Victoria (colourway Pansy)
So many beginnings, indeed.
I have so many things needing the end of the work, which Plato aside, is really really important if the work is going to be at all useful. But for the past few days, the beginnings have certainly been the most interesting. And there was this too. I took apart the new CSM (a Home Profit Master Knitter) cleaned and polished it, and put it back together.
Pretty, ain't it? I was amused to see in Spin-Off, which arrived in Friday's mail, Susan Forsyth's article about spinning for a CSM. This would explain the emails I have had in the past week asking if I wanted to sell my machine.
Here's the answer in advance: No, but thanks for the offer to take one off my hands. I'm very happy with both of them, contrary to my original post. I have since worked out the kinks, know how to work them, and crank happily. If you are looking to get your hands on one and want one NOW, I suggest you do one or all of these things:
1. Search ebay for "sock machine"
2. Join and endear yourself to the crowd on one of the sock machine knitters lists on Yahoo in hopes that one of the regulars decides to unload some of their collection.
3. Check the list of restored machines at Angora Valley or any of the other vendors who come up in Google. I recommend Angora Valley because I have happily bought needles and things from Pat and it's always been good.
4. Buy a brand new one from Jacquie. I bought one of a limited run 96/48 cylinder for my Autoknitter from her, and it's very nice.
Nice Marina Piccolas! Who are those for? And the boy's leopard mitts are going to be so cute.
Posted by: Danielle | September 17, 2007 at 04:41 PM
I love your Koigu sock! What size needles do you use with KPPPM? I can never seem to get a good sock gauge, and would be curious to see how you do it.
Posted by: Claudia | September 17, 2007 at 06:07 PM
Love the leopards. But where's the yarn for sale? I'm getting antsy.
Posted by: kim in oregon | September 17, 2007 at 08:04 PM
Those mittens are going to be adorable.
The sock looks great so far. The pattern is really pretty.
Yummmm look at that spinning. The colors are beautiful.
You just want to keep as many sock knitting machines to yourself. ;) I would love to find one at a flea market or something. I think it would be fun.
Posted by: Tonia | September 17, 2007 at 08:25 PM
Cool mittens! Wild, in fact ;-)
Posted by: Pam | September 17, 2007 at 08:37 PM
The mitten is adorable. And that fiber is lovely - TOTALLY pansy, my favorite flower.
Posted by: DebbieB | September 17, 2007 at 10:31 PM
You're spinning my song with that Pansy on the Victoria...
Very, very nice -- love the colorway for Marina Piccola.
Posted by: Vicki | September 18, 2007 at 10:21 AM
The leopard mittens are TOO COOL. The Boy is going to be one smartly accessorized kid this winter! :-)
You + the Victoria = bliss? Good, good. :-)
Posted by: Beth S. | September 18, 2007 at 12:57 PM
You know, if you reversed the colors on that leopard mitten you'd get Shadow Leopard Mittens.
It just came to me, although I think the leopards that made me think of it are actually called Cloud Leopards.
I should probably go eat lunch now, I think I'm babbling.
Posted by: Kim | September 18, 2007 at 01:47 PM
Way to start stuff!
I am totally wishing for a sock machine. I see them for a few hundred dollars on eBay now and then, but I was warned by someone who owns one that they should go for about $3,000 if you want one that works.
Yikes. I can hire someone to knit socks for that much.
Since I find it faster to spin my own sock yarn than to knit the socks (which is why there are so many unfinished ones lying around here) I think I need a CSM to help me along, even if I tear my hair out learning to use it.
SOmeday.
Posted by: jessie | September 19, 2007 at 06:06 AM
You're off to a good start on many things. I've been bitten by the startis bug myself, with lots of new projects on the needles. The start to the leopard mittens is spectacular. I love it.
Posted by: Wanda | September 19, 2007 at 11:00 AM
I do love those Leopards.
Marina Piccola is RIGHT at the top of the literal pile on the bedroom floor. I'm trumped. *sigh*
Posted by: Laurie | September 20, 2007 at 05:25 AM
Leopard mits looking good!
Posted by: alice | September 25, 2007 at 08:05 AM