Achieving Happiness through Socks
What in the world is sanguine?
I love hand knit socks. The colors, the creativity, the choices in yarn fibers and textures. Most of all, you can feel the difference when a sock is made out of a high quality fiber, and made to fit you.
Socks hand knit by me.
I also love knitting socks for my friends. I think that everyone should have the opportunity to have a pair of hand knitted socks, but there isn’t enough time in one life to knit everyone socks.
The Slow Way!
Traditionally, socks are knitted using five sticks. That’s it, just sticks. If you want to act really “fancy” you buy double pointed needles. It takes a long time, often several days to knit and finish a pair of socks.
But there is another way….
Close up of a CSM’s needles
Enter the Circular Sock Machine. First produced in the1860’s this gadget was invented in France, but soon made its way to the United States. The Circular Knitting Machine made it possible for socks and stockings to be knit faster than by hand knitting. It was still considered an “in home” appliance, a companion to the other new invention of the time – the “sewing machine”.
Vintage Circular Sock Knitting Machines
The War to End All Wars
The Circular Sock Machine found its way into most homes during World War I. The machines were provided to knitters, along with 10 pounds of wool, by the Red Cross.The knitter was then obligated to use the wool to provide the war effort with 30 pairs of knitted socks. Afterwards, the machine was theirs to keep. By the end of the war, over one million socks had been knit. Some socks were knit by hand, some using a hand crank knitting machine, but all of them crucial to the health and well-being of the soldiers in the trenches.
Red Cross poster for knitters.
The Circular Knitting Machines remained a part of everyday life through the Great Depression and World War II. During the Depression they were used as a means of extra income. Then, when the US entered WWII the Circular Knitting Machines were once again used to provide needed socks for the troops.
In the rewards section I’ve created offerings in multiple price ranges. Every reward $10 and above will be produced by the Circular Knitting Machine funded by this Kickstarter.
Backers choosing Modern Socks may select from a wide array of options on our color palette. The yarn used will be a washable yarn that is a blend of 75% soft merino wool and 25% nylon for durability.
Backers choosing the WWI Reenactor reward will receive a pair of socks that are knit following a WWI pattern that was distributed by the Red Cross to be used with Circular Knitting Machines. Color choices that are appropriate for military use are indicated on the color palette.
This Kickstarter seeks to fund the purchase of a Circular Sock Knitting Machine.
Funds will be used for:
What’s Next?
After all the Backers have received their Rewards, I will share the Circular Knitting Machine and its history with the public by attending gatherings such as Makers Faire, Local Farmer’s Markets and Fall Festivals. I hope to spread my love of wool socks, history and knitting along the way.
Risk is very low:
If the the knitting machine is not available on the proposed date. Then there would be a delay in the backers receiving their rewards by the promised date. This seems to be a low probability. There are two companies in the world currently producing this machine. One of them is within a half day driving distance from where I live.