The Answer Lady
Innovative Ideas for Knitters
To contact the answer lady, use this new anti-spam e-mail address. Rewrite this address in the standard e-mail format with no spaces anywhere and the usual symbols for and and dot:
kathryn d answerlady at hotmail dot com
|
|
TOTALLY TUBULAR---SOCK MACHINE SPECIALTIES
|
Whenever I need something unusual for my sock machines, I ask Jack. Jack is my husband. His experience and expertise in all kinds of mechanical endeavors makes him my first and best source of help when a mechanical question arises
 SPECIALTY WEIGHTS ARE DESCRIBED BELOW
|
ALTERNATIVE CYLINDER SPRINGS
Non-steel cylinder spring substitutes are a bit experimental but I like mine. They are actually designed to be O-rings, not all of which are made from the same material. I asked Jack to find me something suitable to the action and the oil of the sock machine and he found the ones offered here. These are actually made of Buna N which is an elastomeric material designed for oil and abrasion resistance. They stretch a bit to fit, then seat nicely on the cylinder. If you’d like to experiment and see if you like them, too, these are $3.00 including first class postage.
|
EASY CAST ON BONNETS
Cast on bonnets are an easy way to get the knitting started on a circular sock machine. What makes these special is that the loops at the upper edge are elastic instead of yarn. The loops occur every inch around the bonnet and are quite sturdy because they are part of a continuous braid trim. The slimness of the elastic loop plus its stretchiness make it even easier to cast on and to remove the waste yarn from them later. They work for any cylinder size.
To use these bonnets, simply hang all of the loops on needles as they fall and hang a weight on the metal loop at the bottom. Make
sure all latches are open. Begin knitting in waste yarn. The remainder of the needles will begin to pick up yarn and knit on their own. If any are slow to do so, hang yarn bars from the row just knitted. When all needles are knitting nicely, change to main
yarn. Change to the buckle as soon as possible so as to reduce wear and tear on your bonnet. Colors of bonnet and types of weight hangers at the bottom will vary. Each is $8 plus $2 shipping in the continental US. If ordering from elsewhere, please e-mail with your address so I can find the proper postage rate for you.
|
MARVEL MYSTERY OIL bottle is shown at right
Click here to visit the Marvel Mystery Oil website and learn all you ever wanted to know about it and more
I bought my AutoKnitter in working but grubby condition. It worked but made and incredible racket and required constant oiling. I asked Jack how to get it running smoothly. He suggested that I use Marvel Mystery Oil as my main cleaner and lubricant so I did. This oil is designed for the break-in period for cam shafts in engines. Not only is it a superior lubricant, it is designed to form a chemical bond to protect sensitive moving metal parts where high heat and friction are issues. My machine dripped black oil for an entire year. Then one day, I noticed that it no longer dripped, did not require oiling very often and that the cylinder looked shiny and new! It is very quiet in operation. Though it is red, the oil does not stain socks. I just put a little soap [my favorite is Dawn dishwashing foam] directly on any spots and rub it in prior to washing. The oil is not harmful to the skin. Whenever they are out of the machine, my needles soak in Marvel Mystery Oil. Often it will loosen up a sluggish latch. This product is available in auto parts stores and in the automotive section at Walmart. The only drawback is that finding an oil-safe dispenser is nearly impossible. So again, I asked Jack. He found the oilers offered here. They hold 8 oz. The brass spouts have adjustable tips that can be tightly closed for storage and transport.
Empty 8 oz. oiler with brass spout.
$14.00 plus first class postage Paypal statement will show $16.75 total
nzak owners: Jacquie recommends only 3 in 1 oil
|
SPECIALTY WEIGHTS FOR SOCK KNITTING shown above
Heel forks are a classic tool for sock knitters. These have a few improvements. They are rigid and slender, making the job of inserting them in the tight spaces sock knitters have to work in easier. The weight is built into the white handle.Also the forks have been straightened so that the motion of sliding the weight into place and hanging it is smoother. Each weight is approximately 12 oz. They will vary slightly due to the variability of different batches of forks. Also shown are precision weights with latch hooks instead of forks. To hang one of these, push it up through the fabric, then lower it until the hook catches. To remove it, do the same thing: push up, then pull down so that the latch closes and the weight slides free. Each weight is $10.00 plus 6.50 shipping. A set of 4 as shown is $40 but combined shipping will only be $11.00. [Paypal buttons are for orders within the continental US. Customers who live elsewhere will incur different postage costs. Please e-mail with your location so I can check for you.]
The weights are very sturdy but a caution is in order: do not bang them or let children play with them. The heft is furnished by tiny ball bearings which would be a mess and could be a hazard if they escaped.
USING THE WEIGHTS
There will be some variation due to personal style, yarn and machine but here are the basics:
Use a set of 4: 2 with forks and 2 with precision tips. When the time comes for the heel or toe, hang the 2 forks side by side right in the center of the stitches that will keep knitting. Hang the precision hooks, one on each side, beneath the 4th-6th needle from the needles in hold. Short-row in. Move the precision hooks so that they are under the left and right needles that are now knitting. Short-row out. Normally, that is all that is necessary. Most of the time, the forks can stay in one position throughout the process. Of course, any time the stitches start rising up on the needles, it's time to reposition the weights.
SINGLE WEIGHT INCLUDING SHIPPING IN THE CONTINENTAL US: please specify which style you want in the "note" section on your paypal payment.
SET OF 4 with 2 FORK WEIGHTS AND 2 PRECISION WEIGHTS INCLUDING SHIPPING WITHING THE CONTINENTAL US (you may have any 4 as a set for this price. If you don't want 2 and 2, specify what you do want in the "note" section on your payment:
|
Needles for flatbed machines make good tools for picking up dropped stitches. At left you can see the 3 types available compared to an Autoknitter needle. 1 needle is $2 including shipping, 2 needles are $3 including shipping. Please state which style you want in the notes section of your paypal payment. The Passap and Studio standard needles have hooks very close in size to the Autoknitter needle. The Brother bulky has a larger hook. If you do not specify, you will be send Studio standard needles.
1 FLATBED NEEDLE
2 FLATBED NEEDLES
|
 |
TOTALLY TUBULAR PATTERN COLLECTION
Some of these patterns were previously sold individually. Packaged together in this 43 page book, they are a much better bargain. The whole book is an instant download for $21. Table of contents below. Cover shown at left.
FABULOUS FELTED FOOTWEAR FOR CSMS
For all CSMs. My samples were all knitted on 60 and 72 slot cylinders because that is what I have. Other knitters, however, report success on other sizes. The pattern includes options for plain slippers, slippers with doubled felt soles, or outdoor shoes with real soles. Instructions for finding and attaching them are included. 2 styles of heel are in this updated pattern.
TOTALLY TUBULAR FELTED TOYS
For all CSMs. Each toy takes about 2-4 oz. Or 100% wool fingering yarn. I recommend Jaggerspun 2/8. The pattern makes a doll, ball, safe rattle and whimsical fish. Felting instructions included.
TOTALLY TUBULAR FUR SCARVES
For all CSMs. Each scarf takes 1 skein of furry yarn. Lion Fun Fur is recommended.
TOTALLY TUBULAR FELTED ACCESSORIES
for all CSMs.F Includes a tiny purse, larger purse, earmuff/headband, hat, and bucket bag. Each piece takes 2-7 oz. of fingering weight 100% wool yarn. I recommend Jaggerspun 2/8.
HIGH STREET HANDBAG
For all CSM's. The size will vary a little with cylinder size. This is a dressy style with reinforcing and purchased handles. Uses about 8 oz. Cotton or other firm yarn.
TOTALLY TUBULAR STRING BAGS
For all CSMs. 4 oz. or less of cotton yarn makes a European style string shopping bag. These make great gift bags, too.
FLIP-OVER DREAM DOLL
2 dolls in 1. Changing yarns often creates the personalities and their clothes. All csms can make it with small amounts of several yarns. A great use for odds and ends.
CSM QUILT
Join those tubes to make great quilts. Bind them with more tubing. Luxurious! The pattern describes techniques that make the process simple and fool-proof.
|
 |
THREADING HOOK
These tiny crochet hooks are made of a semi-hard black polymer. It is sturdy but easy to cut with diagonal cutting pliers. Trim it to the ideal length for threading your circular sock machine. $3 per hook includes postage in the continental usa. The hook fits through all of the threading orifices on AutoKnitters and most other machines.
|
|