I just got a good deal on this contraption on ebay:
Anyone know what it is? Here's another picture:
Yes, a hand cranked circular knitting machine. This is a used Loops and Threads brand, originally about $75. I got it for $35. It is missing its legs and a yarn guide, but I am an engineer, so I will figure out a way.
My hope is to get my youngest daughter helping me produce my signature striped scarves in bigger quantities to avoid running out of stock at peak times. If we sell enough, I can get a more professional grade machine--but one step at a time! Stay tuned as I figure out how to cast on.
It looks interesting, you just have to hook the yarn and turn the lever or do you have to do something else?
Once you cast on, you just turn the crank and watch in case a stitch gets dropped. !WINE
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I know! I'm dreaming of an Addi machine. My husband's grandmother remembered her mother using a hand-cranked sock machine during the Great War. I think you still had to do the heels and toes by hand.
One of my daughters received a round hand-knitting device for Christmas, from a friend. She is having fun with it. She showed me how it works, but my brain said, "huh?" LOL
The looms work just like a circular knitting needle, except the stitches are held on individual pegs instead of the one needle. Hand looms slow me down, but it was much easier to teach kids to loom knit than to knit with needles or to crochet.
I remember using an empty thread spool with little nails pounded in one end to weave a long rope of crochet thread. I was just a little girl then. I probably still have it somewhere, but don't remember how to do it any more.
There are lots of videos about spool knitting:
By now I should think of youtube right away, but I still don't. Thanks for the suggestion!
I make cord the same way, but often find it faster to make it on 2 double-pointed needles--knitting it that way is called I-cord.
Oh boy, I've never heard of double-pointed needles! There is much I still don't know about knitting!
They are used in groups of 4 or 5 to knit tubes, in the same way as a circular needle. This post has some pictures: https://hive.blog/hive-127911/@fiberfrau/slow-and-steady-socks