The Beginning of an Unexpected Journey

I had been dabbling in the Circular Sock Knitting world for a few years, getting by on my 1920s Canadian Autoknitter. Although it'll always be my first love - feeling a connection to the 100 years of Crankers that have previously used it - I wanted to celebrate my 40th birthday by purchasing a custom machine that reflected both my aesthetic and the kind of long‑term commitment I wanted to make to this craft.

Day 1

While looking for a new Circular Sock Machine (CSM), I came across Chambord CSM's post “We are looking for a successor to take over the New Chambord Accuknitter 400 part of the business. Please contact us if you are interested.” My heart instantly began to race and my mind began to fill with so many thoughts and questions. If they are in Canada and we are in Arizona does that matter? Is equipment and inventory included? Could we get a moving truck across the border? From the start, I treated these questions seriously, knowing we’d only move forward if the transition could be done responsibly (for both sides).

I sent a simple three sentence email on 7/1/2025 and that’s how this story began.

Hi Dave and Kathy -

I came across your website post regarding a succession plan for your new CSM business branch. I would like to know more, if possible. My husband and I are located in Prescott, Arizona so I'm curious if that could be feasible - moving the business/equipment to the US. I'm an avid fiber artist and my husband loves working with his hands so this could be very serendipitous!

Thank you kindly,
Kornelia

My husband, Mike, loves to emphasize this part of the story… after I sent the email, I walked into his office (we both were working remotely from home at the time), and told him what had just transpired. He seemed slightly intrigued and went on with his work day.

But my mind was on fire. An Engineer and a Creative coming together to continue the story of Chambord CSM. Mike is brilliant at attention to detail, field-engineering on the fly, hand-craftsmanship and has a background in AV design engineering. I have been a knitter, crocheter, spinner, and weaver for the majority of my adult life and my work and education in marketing and project management. While the opportunity was thrilling, Mike and I approached it carefully, knowing how much responsibility comes with carrying a legacy brand, especially in such a niche industry.

That night, I bought two notebooks. One - a daily journal so I could track the story from the beginning, and two - all of the thoughts, ideas, risks, decisions, observations, questions, steps, products, events, etc! That way I could get everything out of my brain but still be able to track it somewhere.

Day 2

Dave and Kathy emailed me back the next day! I was so elated.

Hi Kornelia,

Basically what is for sale is the intellectual property (all the plans for the machine) plus Dave’s assistance (experience) in start up.

You can visit our website and go to the “Virtual Crank-in” tab and you will get some insight of how Dave makes the machines.

If you need more info, please contact us. We will be away at a crank-in from July 8-16.

Thanks
Kathy

I watched the “Virtual Crank-in” dozens of times. I took screenshots and organized all my thoughts and questions on a digital white board. I emailed Dave and Kathy back a full laundry list of questions ranging from IP details, product/operation questions, industry and market, transition and support…over 20 questions. Looking back at it now, I realized my enthusiasm and thoroughness could feel like a lot all at once. Kathy emailed me back a few hours later letting me know they would answer them once they returned from the Crank-in.

Month 2

Over the next few weeks I researched everything I could about CSMs, but from a new lens - manufacturer, not fiber hobbyist. I watched dozens of YouTube videos of Crank-ins, how-to's, the history of the machines, instructions, tips. I bought every book about CSM machines and their history available. I consumed every blog and website dedicated to CSMs. I even joined the Circular Sock Knitting Machine Society. I researched the market, opportunity, competition and started to draft a business plan.

Patience is a skillset I am still building, so by the beginning of August I was wandering around the house wondering if Dave and Kathy didn’t take me serious, had forgotten about me, didn’t like me?! Maybe all my questions were overwhelming… So, I thought - man, I’ve been 1000% engrossed with this - day/night thinking about what a great opportunity this could be and they only knew us as names in an inbox.

Okay, let’s start there.

I sent an email introducing myself, husband, our background, hobbies, skillset, about my family and their business. Photos of ourselves and our pets, links to my Ravelry, Etsy, LinkedIn, personal blog - any type of digital evidence that would help them understand who we are and our story. Basically, that we are real people - LOL.

IT WORKED! They emailed me back the next day and explained the delay in their response. We were back in motion! Now that we were starting to make more progress, I realized there was a steep learning curve to starting a manufacturing business, so I signed up for a SCORE mentor that could help me get my LLC up and running.

Wayne called me and asked what I had going on. He said it sounded like a good opportunity and he had experience that could help me. We met for breakfast and I showed him my business plan. I had brought a pair of socks to show what the CSM machines could produce and one of the patrons at the diner bought them from me for his wife! My first sale??? Look at this business lady go!

Month 3

By now, I had been corresponding via email with Dave and Kathy pretty regularly. They were providing general information so I could continue to research the material availability in Arizona. I also was talking to my family, who have owned a sign business here in town for over 45 years (Morgan Sign), and see if it would be a possibility that we could rent a corner of their warehouse.

I even called the lady, Linda, that originally taught me how to use a CSM because I remembered she had a Chambord. What luck I had being able to see one in my own town! She let me come over and crank on it. What a dream!

Kathy mentioned she had a friend, Jennie, close to us about - 2 ½ hours away in Kingman, AZ. She had been on a cruise, but when she returned Kathy introduced us to each other via email. Jennie Facebook messaged me that day! She and I knew a lot of the same people (from the LYS, Fiber Creek), and we had an excellent phone conversation. I could tell Kathy was leveraging Jennie to see if we were the real deal, so Jennie and I made plans for us to come visit them and bonus - I could see another Chambord in person!

Coincidentally, Kathy and her friend Lynne were going to be up in Prescott that week and I invited them to tour my parent’s shop. Once we met Jennie in person, things began to move more quickly and more seriously. She was the perfect liaison to further build our relationship and help continue the conversation. I refer to Jennie as my Guardian Angel. She was so critical to the progress we were able to make - in such a short time and between two countries. Her support and well wishes were, and continue to be, very welcomed and reassuring.

Jennie helped us arrange to "e-meet" Dave and Kathy via Facebook messenger. Mike and I did a video call with them to introduce ourselves. Dave sounded just like his YouTube videos! I was nervous and star-struck to meet the creators of Chambord CSM. I had my camera pointed at my yarn stash wall to help show that I am a crafter at heart. We talked for about 45 mins and got some important information and steps to move forward.

Month 4 - 5

I was able to confirm most of the materials could be sourced here, from Arizona. I kept a spreadsheet of all the different vendors and comparisons. It was important to Dave and us to keep all the materials and production the same. Researching materials was definitely new to me and sometimes I felt a little out of my comfort zone. This is where I could utilize Mike and his experience, but his workload was very demanding at the time so I did the best with what I could.

I also continued to work with Wayne on setting up the LLC and business bank account. I met with the accountant to better understand start-up costs and small business accounting. She really liked the business plan and asked me "Which one of you are going to quit their jobs?" Yikes! Guess we'll have to think about that. The accountant assigned me a bookkeeper who helped me set up Quick Books and an AZ tax license. Over the next few weeks, I signed up and watched every SCORE webinar I could get my hands on - trying to use every resource available to learn how to launch, market, and run a business with any spare moment I had. I even watched one while we were in the airport waiting to board a plane for our anniversary vacation!

Jennie continued to sprinkle her guardian angel powers and was able to get me a spot at a West Coast Crank-in where I could meet Kathy in person!! I flew down in November and spent the week with fellow Crankers and had the opportunity to see over 10 Chambord machines! During the week, I learned new tips/tricks and of course - spent time with Kathy. I met so many awesome people and they helped me overcome my hesitation of the ribber. Kathy and Jennie were hilarious, especially navigating with their iPhones around town. We stopped at the Tillamook facility and had fresh ice cream!

Month 6

This was a huge milestone month! Mike and I flew to Canada to stay with Dave and Kathy and learned how to make the Chambord Accuknitter 400 CSM!! I have a separate blog about this trip (Learning the Chambord Way) because it deserves more time. We were there over New Year's Eve and it was extraordinary to work alongside Dave in his workshop. Kathy was an amazing host and we were well fed and cared for!

We were able to finish a beautiful Blue-Grey Chambord CSM and I flew home with it attached to my side at all times. This baby was priceless! Since I plan to have a lot of resources - manuals, training, patterns, etc. - it seemed important to photograph those items with a Chambord CSM. And now I had my very own!

Throughout December, Mike had more time to research the materials/equipment and confirm with Dave what was needed. This was a huge burden off my shoulders since Mike comes from the world of equipment and specs. He was able to negotiate different terms and help with the manufacturing/reseller non-taxed vendor forms. With our fancy new business credit card and checks, we were able to purchase some of the most important items and scheduled them to deliver the first part of 2026. 

My parents and brother were on board with us using a corner of the shop, so we went over there one weekend and taped off the section needed for each of the CNC mills and Lathe. The CNC mills are not huge, but they have a pretty good footprint for clearance and filtration. 

While we were in Canada, my brother and the guys moved shelving and their own equipment to make room for ours. Everything was starting to come together! Read more about setting up the shop here: From Sign Shop to Machine Shop.

Month 7

Things were full steam ahead now. When we got back from Canada, Mike realized how important his skillset was to beginning production on the machines. There has been a 5+ year waitlist for the Chambord CSMs and we are eager to help all of those that have been waiting so patiently. 

We discussed what to do for a few weeks and decided the answer to the accountant's question was: Mike. He talked it over with his boss and they created a two-month offboarding plan so he could help train the new leader. Since we work from home, I could hear some of his calls and the excitement in his voice as he told his team and coworkers about our new adventure made my heart full. This wasn't just a me journey, we were in this together. He is looking forward to working with his hands again (not be seated behind a computer monitor all day) and dive into the manufacturing industry. The timing of his resignation was kismet because the NEXT DAY the company announced an acquisition.

Our equipment and materials began to be delivered and our little corner at the shop looks like the perfect workshop to make the Chambord CSM machines. I definitely had to chant a soothing mantra to myself when Mike was taking the 6,000lbs CNC Mills out of the truck, but everything worked out and the equipment was safely in its new home.

The shop guys are very hospitable to us and they are excited to see how all the equipment runs. My brother even made us CEO/COO name tags for Christmas!

Later that month, a nice couple from Flagstaff contacted the LYS, Fiber Creek, to see about someone teaching a CSM class. I was excited and Mike agreed to be there to help out. I brought a few of my CSMs so they could each have one to practice on while I instructed on mine. The week before, I had written two patterns - one for a setup bonnet and one for a ribbed sock, and was excited for new students to use them. It wasn’t perfect, we all learned a lot, but it was overall a success. They left knowing how to use their CSM, ribber, and how to make a sock! Mike is a pro at coning yarn and I have some new ideas for writing beginner friendly patterns.

Month 8

Mike's last day was a Friday and he flew back to Canada that Sunday to continue to be mentored by Dave for two weeks. They worked everyday, including weekends, and were able to make over 16 jigs to aid in production back here in the States. Well, they did take a little break to celebrate Sugar on Snow and had an amazing maple dinner with maple lolli-pops. During those two weeks, Mike was also able to sit next to Dave, on the computer, in the evenings and solidified all the remaining materials/tools we needed to be 100% ready. Sooo many packages came in while he was gone, I could tell they were busy!

Today and Forward

It’s amazing how far we have come in only 9 months. It feels like yesterday and a lifetime all at the same time. From the very beginning, this transition has been a true partnership -rooted in trust, mentorship, and a shared commitment to preserving the Chambord CSM legacy while carrying it forward. Dave and Kathy are on speed-dial and we talk to them almost daily. Once Mike has a few machines built, we plan to have Dave visit us - repaying the hospitality of their room and board! By Aug we plan to formally begin fulfilling waitlist customer orders. Dave and Kathy will still continue to focus on restoration of CSMs (www.davelordcsm.com), which is so important to the industry’s history. You'll probably see us both at Crank-Ins now!

Since Mike can concentrate fully on the operations and manufacturing, I can switch gears to the other starting-a-business items. Including, establishing the accounting and inventory processes for purchasing, figuring out business insurance, orders and shipping. What is more fun though, and that I am really excited for, is building the website, writing these blog posts, and starting to make all the resources available for Chambord CSM customers!

Stay tuned, this is only the beginning!

~Kori