[Nfb-krafters-korner] Want To Know Wednesday 1/24/18

Mon Jan 29 01:48:40 UTC 2018

Going back Sock machines then & now.

Circular sock machines came out the latter part of the 1800s. It was made
after the Civil War   and sold by door to door sales men.  These machines
were promoted by the manufactures with the ""We will purchase all the socks
you can make with this machine".  These machine had a number of needles and
came with various sylinder sizes to make different size socks with different
weight yarns.  No motors just a crank handle to run them.  Each machine was
made similar, but to the standards of the company that made them.  They did
not have the equipment to make or mass produce them.

Prior to and during World War one the Red Cross provided places for people
to use these machines to make socks for our Soldiers fighting abroad.  The
blind were encourage to learn and make socks for the soldiers and received
payment  per pair.

These machines were make and sold up to the latter  1920 and basically
tapered down in producing them in the 1950s.  
Most of these machines that can be found are antiques and you can purchase
needles manufactured today.  You can not get replacement parts as I said
they were not manufactured and each company had their own standards.

I had gotten interested in these machines about 15 years back.  At that time
you could find them, but you risked  that would they work.  I did purchase a
few of them and learned the hard way.  I did have the opportunity to hitch a
ride up to NH for a sock machine conference and brought my machine with me
and got some handson learning.

When I was really into this there was a person in the group who started a
business making new home sock machines.  He lived in New Zealand and the
machines started out for $1299 plus shipping.  These machines are totally
metal and do weigh a bit.  I just checked out what they are going for today.

If you want a new one they are going for just under $2000.  The antiques
that say are running well are around $1000 give or take $200.  The ribber is
an added price.

I do have a sock machine that was working well that was refurbished by a
well known  sock machine refurbisher and 10 years  ago I paid $800 for mine.

So there is some history about sock machines.  They do have new ones made in
Germany, but they can be purchased with 22 needles or 46 needles and they
are round or like the looms you work back & forth.  I havefound them on the
internet Addi knitting machine  and on the large one comments are make hats
on the large one fits kids or small adult.  The 22 needle is around $120
plus shipping or $150 free shipping and are sold out of ware houses in the
USA.

The 46 needle ones were pushing almost $300.

Joyce

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-krafters-korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Terry Powers via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2018 9:48 PM
To: 'List for blind crafters and artists' <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Terry Powers <terrypowers59 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Want To Know Wednesday 1/24/18

Plastic canvas is done on a plastic grid.  The grid is measured in inches.
To determine what size of canvas you are using, you have a number and the
word count.  This means 7 count canvas has 7 squares, per inch.  16 count
canvas, has 16 squares, per inch, making the holes much smaller and a lot
harder for a blind person to work with.
10 count canvas is used most often.  
I have found worsted weight yearn to work fine and if I want to use thinner
yarn, using a double strand, can be done.  Cord can also be used to give the
project tecture.
Accessories used with plastic canvas can be, lanyard hooks, key rings, lace,
yarn, cord, sizzors and a size 16 or 18 metal tapestry needle.  
It is a craft that you can be creative with.  You can write words, make doll
furnature, make ornaments, cleanex boxes and much, much more.

Terry Powers

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-krafters-korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Nella Foster via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2018 8:37 PM
To: nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
Cc: Nella Foster <jellybeanfarm at gmail.com>
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Want To Know Wednesday 1/24/18

Happy Wednesday to all of you crafters out there.

I want to Thank Becky for doing such a fine job of playing my part last
week.  I'm sure she could play me on T.V. lol

My day has been a little hectic, so I'm getting this out a bit late.

Here is another question from Amy.

Each craft, whether it be woodworking or knitting, has its own unique
history.  What interesting trivia or factoids do you know about the crafts
that you do?

What is some of the terminology used in your craft?

Now pay attention to everyone's responses because I might use some of them
next Monday when we have craft trivia.

As usual I'm looking forward to reading and learning.

Nella

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