We have two circular sock machines; one is a "basket case" 1924 AutoKnitter that is in need of a major overhaul and some machining work. It is going to go up and visit my brother in Oregon for a while. The other is a 1924 Gearhart that I was lucky enough to get from a wonderful fellow in Utah who was cleaning his attic. It has an interesting history.
It originally belonged to the man's grandmother, who purchased it new in 1924. She unpacked it out of its crate, knitted two pairs of socks with it, decided she didn't like it, packed it up tight again and put it in her attic where it sat for many decades. After she passed, it went to her son-in-law's attic and sat there untouched for a few decades. This fellow asked his son to clean out the attic and sell anything not being used. The son didn't think anyone would be interested in the sock knitter even though it was a virtually new machine. When I found out about it, we exchanged emails and pictures, and I bought it from him.
It is a wonderful little machine and came with everything that was originally crated with it, including the original crate and all the paperwork and manual. I am still getting to know it and learning to work with it but it was a worthwhile investment and I am looking forward to many years of sockmaking with it.
We will be adding more pictures as we go along - Please stop by again soon!
