After more than a year of learning, collaboration, and preparation, the Chambord AccuKnitter 400 CSM transition reached a major milestone. Join us as Dave visits Prescott, Arizona to review our first machines, share his expertise, connect with the community, and help launch the next chapter of Chambord CSM manufacturing.
Mike had been hard at work building the first batch of machines for Dave to inspect. After months of collaboration with Dave and Kathy through emails, videos/photos, and technical discussions, we were ready to book his trip to Prescott, AZ for the first week of August.
The Chambord AccuKnitter 400 CSM is made up of roughly seventy parts. Every single component must be hand-lathed or milled, refined, tuned, finished, assembled, and tested before it ever becomes part of a completed machine. By the time August came, Mike had manufactured enough parts to assemble four complete machines for Dave's review.
We spent the weekend before his arrival at the shop putting the finishing touches on everything. It had been several weeks since I had actually spent much time in the shop, so walking in and seeing four Chambord AccuKnitter 400 CSMs lined up side by side was a very exciting moment. They weren't just machines. They were the result of over a year of learning, perseverance, problem-solving, and more than a few late nights for it all to come together.
Especially for Mike.
His background is in design engineering, primarily working with 2D drawing sets, so jumping into 3D modeling, machine programming, and learning to read G-code has been an adventure all its own. Watching him tackle each challenge and continue pushing forward has been incredible.
While Mike concentrated on the final machine adjustments, I organized matching accessories, polished parts, and helped prepare everything for Dave's inspection. We even created a detailed QA checklist so our process was documented and ready for any questions Dave might have. We wanted him to see not only the machines themselves, but the systems we were building around the end-to-end process.
On Sunday, we made the trip to the PHX airport to pick Dave up. After a long day of travel, we grabbed dinner and headed home. The real work would start the next morning
I took Monday off from my day job because there was absolutely no chance I was missing Dave's first day in the shop. When I arrived, I found both Dave and Mike already deep into machine evaluations.
As expected, there were some adjustments to make. We knew there would be. That was one of the reasons Dave was spending the entire week with us. The transition wasn't about us proving we could do everything alone. It was about working together to make sure every machine met the standards Dave had established over many years. Every question, tweak, and adjustment was another piece of knowledge being passed from one generation to the next.
Wednesday brought a special visitor. Linda, who many readers may remember from my origin story, finally got to meet Dave in person. After spending more than five years on the waiting list, she is slated to receive the very first Chambord AccuKnitter 400 CSM we manufacture. She brought a bunch of her friends for a VIP tour and to meet Dave.
Linda and her husband even brought us a gift: a young plant that, in her words, would "grow as we grow."
It was one of those thoughtful gestures that perfectly captures the kind of community that surrounds these machines. She also gave me a pair of her hand-cranked socks!
We also wanted to make the most of Dave's visit. I reached out to Fiber Creek to see if they would be interested in hosting a meet-and-greet, and they graciously agreed.
At Fiber Creek, Dave demonstrated best practices for setup, testing, and operation of a Chambord machine.
One of the highlights was finally meeting Annetta from TwistedSpool in person. We have been working together since the beginning of the year, but had never met face to face. She even made the trip from California for the event and gifted us a Chambord (liqueur!)
As Dave explained best practices and CSM history, Annetta showcased her incredible designs, proving once again that circular sock machines can create far more than just socks. Her hats, sweaters, and skirt patterns were inspiring to see firsthand. Of course, I made sure to get my copy of her book, Creating Crowns on a CSM, signed.
By Saturday evening, the final pieces were falling into place.
Dave and Mike completed the last adjustments and reviews. The machines met expectations, the manufacturing processes had been validated, and the questions that had come up throughout the week had been worked through together. Dave and I even went through V1 of the Chambord CSM manual (250 pages!).
What stood out most to me was how collaborative the entire process had been. We didn't expect everything to be perfect on the first attempt, and that was never the goal. The goal was to learn, refine, document, and make sure we had the knowledge and processes in place to continue building Chambord AccuKnitter 400 CSMs for years to come.
For our customers, that is what I hope this journey demonstrates. This transition was never about simply taking over a machine design. It was about understanding every part, every process, and every detail that goes into building a Chambord AccuKnitter 400 CSM.
Throughout this process, Dave and Kathy have been generous with their knowledge, and together we worked through the final refinements that come with transferring decades of experience. Just as importantly, these machines are not being passed to people who only know how to manufacture them. Mike brings the engineering and machining expertise, and I bring the perspective of a fiber artist who actively uses the tools we make. As a cranker, knitter, crocheter, spinner, and overall maker, I understand the creativity and craftsmanship these machines support, and that perspective will continue to guide our decisions as we move forward.
One of the unexpected highlights of this journey has been the community itself. From long-time customers like Linda, to shop owners like Fiber Creek, to designers like Annetta and the countless Crankers who have reached out with encouragement, we've been reminded that these machines are about much more than the metal parts that make them up. They're about creativity, craftsmanship, and the people who use them.
The week went by far too quickly, and saying goodbye was much harder than saying hello. But it didn't feel like an ending. It felt like the start of a new chapter. We are excited for what comes next and grateful for everyone who has supported us along the way. The future of Chambord AccuKnitter 400 CSM manufacturing is no longer a question mark. It's already underway.
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