A Circular Sock Machine Origin Story

I first learned about Circular Sock Machines (CSM) from Vogue Knitting in my early 20s. I would periodically browse Ebay throughout the years to see if I could find one, but was too hesitant to pull the trigger  - especially, if I couldn’t test the CSM in person. Around 2020, I picked up a Sentro and made a few quick tube scarfs to satiate the desire of “cranking.” 

One day in 2022, I walked into the local yarn store (Fiber Creek) and to my delight a New Zealand Autoknitter (NZAK) was displayed in its full beauty right at the front of the store! One of the employees, Linda, provided 1:1 classes and I was excited to sign up. I took a Thursday afternoon off of work and headed back to Fiber Creek where Linda taught me how to be a real Cranker. She helped with the cuff, toe, and heel and I got to crank the leg and foot. Then she taught me how to graft the toe, which I was horrible at, so she did the second one.

Now I was on a mission to get my own CSM. Luckily, Linda knew someone that was selling a refurbished 1920s Canadian Autoknitter right here in town! I contacted the lady, Christie, and went to pick up my new-to-me CSM a few days later. It came with a 64 cylinder, a 32 ribber, needles, buckle, fork weights, pick tools, setup bonnet and even an old bobbin winder. It was oily, heavy, and in a cardboard box with a rag. Said another way - It was beautiful. The red paint of the cylinder was flaking off, the cam shell had dents on it, the kind that only comes from a lifetime of honest work. Thinking of all the stories this machine could tell - bringing in income, warmth, creativity… just amazing.

My class with Linda at least gave me a general understanding of how to use the machine, but I was very far off from even calling myself a beginner. I turned to the best resource available - YouTube. I used expensive yarn from knitted shawls as waste yarn (whoops!) but had self-striping sock yarn from my stash. I dropped stitches, I “jumped” stitches, my tension was terrible, the socks didn't fit right - but, I was Cranking!!

At the time, my husband and I were living in our 5th wheel and space was very limited, with only a few options for attaching the CSM to a table. Since it was such a tiny area, that also meant keeping the CSM in the 5th wheel wasn’t space efficient so I needed some type of portable stand. We went to Goodwill and found two old barstools. We removed the seat fabric and Mike was able to cut out a keyhole in the top with a router. My Canadian Autoknitter CSM now has its home!

I really enjoyed Cranking and had some amazing first-worsts. Including experiencing the lovely “yarn barf” when your tension is too loose while winding the bobbin. Luckily I had a Nostepinne handy to re-ball it. I started to get a little better and even tried a toe-up sock, a mock ribbed sock, and finally - the Ribber! 

Over the next few years, I kept adding to my collection. Each machine has its own rhythm, quirks, and blessings. One of the things I love most about the cranking world is there isn’t one perfect machine—each design carries its own history, engineering choices, and personality. What I appreciate most is that different machines shine in different ways, depending on the maker and the moment. I love the custom color of the Erlbacher. The lightweight design of the Tru-Knit makes it easy for travel. The NZAK has a built-in stand. Dean and Beans sock weights are perfect for toe-up. Not pictured below because I only got it this week is a 1900s Legare 47, a machine whose engineering lineage strongly influenced the Chambord Accuknitter 400 CSM. 

I can appreciate the self-control some people may have to only have one machine (you go minimalists!) Not me. Collecting crafting machines is a hobby in and of itself... four spinning wheels, five sewing machines, six looms.

It's probably time to find a bigger craft room!

~Kori