Whether you are completely new to the magical world of Circular Sock Machine Knitting, or someone who has owned a machine but is too afraid to figure out how it ticks or turns, or a seasoned Sock Knitter, we have classes to suit your talent.
Class Descriptions, Pre-requisites, Equipment and Materials Fees are listed below
CLASSES ARE LISTED IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER OF SKILL LEVEL OR EXPERIENCE. RATHER CLASSES ARE LISTED AS THEY ARE LINED UP.
If you don't see what you want, contact me and I'll try to get it scheduled
CSM 101... In the beginning there were parts...
Are you a complete Novice? Did you get a machine from an online auction, get a gift from a thoughtful relative, make a score at a Garage or Estate Sale or get a hand-me-down from your dear Aunt Matilda?
NOW WHAT!?! When you own an antique machine, whether you bought it off an online auction or from a restorer, there will come a time, sooner or later, that you will need to have a repair or maintenance or cleaning to keep it running like a champ. You have two choices.... learn to do it yourself, or pay someone to do it for you.
In this class you will learn how to take apart your machine, learn what the parts are called and what they do, make small adjustments, put your machine back together, set the timing and oil it correctly. This class will run daily, once in the afternoon on Monday, twice on Tuesday and once on Wednesday. We may or may not run it on Thursday depending on level of interest. We hope by then, most will have taken the class and have their machines running smooth as silk.
This is your chance to have hands on help for your machine, and if it takes more than you can manage, you will be given the chance to let Pete, or Pat, or another machine technician work on your machine when they get everyone up to speed. It is recommended that you make a donation for the valuable service you are receiving. There will be a sheet in your packet on suggested donations for sevices offered by the repair and restore volunteers. Remember, this is their conference too. :>)
FROM TATTERED TO TASTEFUL (2.5 hours) TEAM TEACHING
KARI ELLIOTT, SIMONE VAREY, MARIA HART
Learn the most basic skills on your CSM in this class where there will be several teachers taking a small group through several of the basic beginner skills. Learn several different ways to perform cast-ons, with set up baskets, set up bonnets, 'quick and dirty' spider-web method (easy, but not for the faint of heart), and e-wrap. First, you will learn to make a simple scarf, decorate it with your own I-cord (Decorations will be done after the class, but your completed item may be placed on display for an artistic achievement award). Next, you will start on your first hem top sock, make your heels and toes and follow with your first Mock Rib Hem-top Sock and the changes you will need to make to your needle set up to begin the sock, reload half or all the needles halfway through as you end or carry the mock rib through to the toe, and then, preparing for the toe. Finally, we will look at closing the toes and finishing the socks. You will need to bring your sock machine, tools, yarns and waste yarns, darning needle and your imagination.MAKING A SET UP BONNET (60 minutes) KARI ELLIOTT
Some people use these all the time while others find alternative cast-on methods preferable. Bring some sturdy yarn appropriate to your cylinder and machine, or crochet cotton for this item that will be intended to last for your knitting career. Some people have set up bonnets for all their cylinder sizes. Once you use one you may decide that is the way to go!
HANDS ON BEGINNER CLASS (90 minutes) DEB OSWALD
Bring your machine, tools and yarn. You will need a cast on set up, so if you do not have one please purchase one before class. You'll want to bring paper and pen/pencil to take notes for this class! In this class you will learn the names of the working parts and what they do, including the tension screw and yarn carrier adjustments. Learn 5 different ways to cast on, terminology for knitting and last, but not least, understand the different types and weights of yarn that can be used on the different size cylinders.
SOCKS FOR SMALL FEET (60 MINUTES) KARI ELLIOTT
Do you have the pitter patter of little bare feet on your floors? Find out how to keep those tiny toes warm and dry in hand cranked socks. We will use wool, blends, acrylics and orlons, and cotton lycra yarns to make socks for those precious little piggies. These socks, depending on the size you need, can be done on a 54, 60 or 72 cylinder. The 72 makes a larger child’s size depending on your yarn and your tension. Come experiment and play. We will also discuss keeping those sock clad feet from slipping on wood or tile floors or linoleum by placing ‘stickies’ on the bottom for grippers.
HANDS ON HUNG HEMS (60 minutes) DEB OSWALD
Learn several different styles of hung hems that can be put on top of your hand cranked socks, including mock rib look and picot edge on top. Bring your machine, tools, yarns, and set up baskets.RIBBING WITHOUT LOSING YOUR REASON (90 minutes) JACQUIE GRANT
You will learn ribbing and understand proper timing, various ribber set ups and how to make a sock with a ribbed top and also how to make a sock with ribbing down the foot to the end.
SUCCESSFUL KNITTING WITH COTTON ON THE CSM (SUSAN FORSYTH) (60 Minutes)
A nice wool sock is the best thing ever for warmth and comfort but what if you cannot tolerate this fiber and cotton is what is needed. Our machines do not like 'bast' yarns like cotton, linen, ramie, etc. but with a little help the yarns can be improved enough for the CSM to tolerate them. We will try out some that work, some that should, and some that won't.FLAT FABRIC KNITTING A SIMPLE FELTED BAG (60 Minutes) JENNY DETERS
First you will learn to use your machine in a different way, by making the pieces of a tote. After you have mattress stitched the pieces together, you will use I-cord you crank out for handles and decorations. This bag can be felted or the stitches may be left formed.LACE KNITTING (DEB OSWALD) (60 minutes)
Have holes in your socks? Well, come to this class to learn how to make 'on purpose' holes to create nice lacy patterns to put on your socks, mittens, or afghan pieces. All patterns show will be created out of the original manuals that came with these versatile machines. You'll need to bring your functioning machine, working tools, yarn appropriate to your working cylinder, and paper and pen for notes.COLOR KNITTING (DEB OSWALD) (90 Minutes)
Ever wanted to have more than one color in a row? Felt the need to design your own socks? You can learn this and more in this class. Deb will start with stripes and dots, then work into fairisle designs. You will learn how to knit your own Christmas sock for next holiday season! Please bring your machine, tools, 2-3 colors of yarn appropriate to the cylinder you are using, paper and pen to take notes.TAM-O-SHANTA ( 60 minutes) (SUSAN FORSYTH)
Baby hats are a breeze on our sock machines and larger ones need to be double nit with dropped stitches but how about using only a third of the needles for this task. This type of that is fun to knit and really is quite easy once understood. It is made in six parts which have to be mattress stitched (easy) together to make an adorable hat everyone will want to wear.MOCK CABLES ( DEB OSWALD) (60 MINUTES)
Come and see how to make cables without transferring a stitch. This is so easy you will be putting it on everything you make! Bring your machine, tools, yarn, and paper/pen for notes.
BUTTON UP SOCK (60 Minutes) PAT FLY
This is a creative and lovely twist on a hand cranked design! Learn how to make your socks unique and dress them up with your own beautiful and interesting buttons. You will need to bring 6 – 8 buttons and a crochet hook for this class, along with your machine and yarn to match your buttons.
WINDOW SOCKS WITH LOOPS AND FLOWERS (60 Minutes) SUSAN FORSYTH
Now you have mastered your sock machine by making a variety of socks. Now you are looking for a challenge or at least something different to do on your machine. With the cuff done, the stitches are divided, the leg is knit and the heel, foot and toe is complete, now the fun begins with the hole we have made and it all starts with I-cord - yards of it! Are you ready for something different?FABULOUS FINGERLESS GLOVES (60 Minutes) SIMONE VAREY
After this last winter, we all could use nice pair of fingerless gloves to help ward off the chill on the wrists and arms. This class will take you through the process and you will have a pair of fingerless gloves to show for your time spent.MARVELOUS MITTENS (60 Minutes) DEB OSWALD
Need to keep those fingers and hands warm when fall and winter come again? Come and make yourself a nice pair of mittens and maybe use some of your decorative stitches learned in other classes to express your individuality.HEELS AND TOES (VARIOUS TEACHERS) ( 60 MINUTES)
Get hands on help in this clinic so you can excel at the perfectly turned heels and toes. Learn the tips and tricks of weight distribution, closing the toes, picking up dropped stitches, etc.
Note regarding all dye classes (except the Overdyeing Class) . Please bring your yarn or if you will not be able to bring yarn, please contact Amelia 2 weeks prior to class at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
DYEING SOCK TUBES (AMELIA GARRIPOLI) 3-4 HOURS
Become your own Matisse. dye a tube of sock yarn and watch it metamorphose into yarn when it's recreated into socks the next day. Bring 4 oz. of sock yarn already cranked under loose tension into a tube. You may find some vendors have blanks for sale. If your machine can handle it and you want twin socks, crank your tube with 2 strands together. Materials fee: $6 ( dyes, dye tools to use during class: dye cups, brushes, dishes, wrap, microwave, water, buckets, water extractor. ) Note: wool, nylon, silk, or other animal fiber will take the dye. Bamboo, tencel or cotton will not. All dye tools and materials supplied. Dye it in class and knit your socks the next day.OVERDYEING YARN (AMELIA GARRIPOLI) 3-4 HOURS
Turn ho-hum in yum with overdyeing! Bring 4 oz. sock yarn how you like or already knit socks, knit tube, or skein(we'll skein up center pull balls or cones) plus a few yards of the same yarn, loose. We'll discuss color changes, test target colors, and then overdye for a whole new look. Note: wool, nylon, silk, or other animal fiber will take the dye; tencel, bamboo, and cotton will not. All dye tools and materials supplied. Dye it in class and knit or wear your socks the next day! Materials fee: $6.00 Sock machine not needed for this class. Please notify us in advance if you will not be bringing your own yarn, sock or tube to work with.
RAINBOW DYEING (3-4 HOURS) AMELIA GARRIPOLI
Do you buy lottery tickets? Let's roll the dice with dyes -- turn three colors into a rainbow witht his chance dye method. Bring 4 oz. of undyed sock yarn - wool, nylon, silk, or other animal fiber will take
the dye; bamboo, tencel, or cotton will not. All dye tools and materials supplied. If you have a one-yard or two-yard skeiner, pre-skein your yarn; otherwise, bring a center-pull ball or cone. Dye it in class and
knit your socks the next day! Prerequisites: none Material (Kit?) fee: $6 (dyes, dye tools to use during class: dye cups, dishes, wrap, microwave, water buckets, water extractor) Students bring: 4 oz. of undyed sock yarn - wool, nylon, silk, or other animal fiber will take the dye; bamboo, tencel, or cotton will not. If
you have a one-yard or two-yard skeiner, pre-skein your yarn; otherwise, bring a center-pull ball or cone.
Sock machine not needed for class. Skill level: any.
SHADOW DYEING ( 3 - 4 hours) Amelia Garripoli
Create fun effects in yarn, pool color on purpose, and just plain play with color -- come dye with me! Bring 4 oz. of undyed sock yarn - wool, nylon, silk, or other animal fiber will take the dye; bamboo, tencel, or cotton will not. All dye tools and materials supplied. If you have a 5-foot skeiner, pre-skein your yarn; otherwise, bring a center-pull ball or cone. Dye it in class and knit your socks the next day! Prerequisites: none
Material (Kit?) fee: $6 (dyes, dye tools to use during class: dye cups, brushes, dishes, wrap, microwave, water buckets, water extractor) Students bring: 4 oz. of undyed sock yarn - wool, nylon, silk, or other animal fiber will take the dye; bamboo, tencel, or cotton will not. If you have a five foot skeiner, pre-skein your yarn; otherwise, bring a
center-pull ball or cone.Sock machine not needed for class. Skill level: any.
LEARN SEVERAL TECHNIQUES FROM VIDEO #8 FROM ROXANA BAECHLE (She can’t be here with us in person, so this is the next best thing!)
Part 1 (45 minutes) You will learn about Ruching, or forming loops in your knitting by using a firm wire form. Some wire forms will be available for use or sale during the class. Next, you will learn about making Lace Designs in your socks and how to chart and apply the designs you want to achieve. Using several different sizes of beads can make an attractive and unique sock design. Learn this technique as you work along with the video. One person who attends this class will win the video containing both parts one and two of this class presentation.
Part 2 (45 minutes) Using several different sizes of beads can make an attractive and unique sock design. Learn this technique as you work along with the video. You will also learn the process of putting stripes or polka dots in the sock or creating designs or placing initials. Do you dream of creating a true twisted cable on your knitting machine? Now you can learn how by using a section of 6 needles. This may seem complicated at first, but you will be a pro by the time you are done. One person who attends this class will win the video containing both parts one and two of this class presentation.
ERGONOMICALLY CORRECT CRANKING (60 minutes) Kari Elliott
Do you get all kinked up after too much cranking? Kari will share some tips on setting up your machine so that you can have a long and successfully pain free co-existence with your significant CSM. This is a marvelous hobby and if you want to keep enjoying your machine, you need to make it user friendly. It’s also important to take the time to stretch and flex your body, arms and especially your hands when you are using your machine for more than the occasional gift sock or scarf. Kari will visit you and your machine if you need direct tips on how to stay safe when knitting your socks.
RUNNING CIRCLES AROUND YOUR RIBBER (TEAM TEACHING)
In this second intensive with several teachers available, you will learn the ins and outs, tips and tricks of using your ribber. Do you have the courage to do a halfpitch setup? And if so, what do you use it for? Come learn the answers to those questions and discover that a CSM is more than just a sock knitting machine.
