Circular Sock Machine Quick Start Step #4, Shape the Toe! by Diana Sullivan

[@Padraigp]

Now i know why my granny had a lot of bent old forks 😂

[@dianaknits]

Wow! :) I bet that was a mystery!

[@Padraigp]

This is awesome video series really easy to see and clear instructions. I have my grannies very old machine and havent yet figured out what needles i need for it.

[@dianaknits]

My favorite place to get neeles for antique machines was here: www.angoravalley.com/ She had the needles I needed. You really should start by replacing the needles. Clean & oil, find out what brand it was. There are manuals over there, too.

[@dianaknits]

Oh, and also, go to the Facebook group and tell them about your machine. Post photos. Someone there will know exactly what you have and what you need. You'll be able to get parts. The sock knitters are terrifically helpful. With my husband's help, we've gotten 5 older machines going.

[@Padraigp]

@dianaknits oh I don't do face book but I'll see if somone else might. Tha ks

[@mcvallet]

No need to hold with your finger when you do the increases, it works well without doing so.

[@dianaknits]

True, I do that all the time with my antique, bring the needle down to a low-middle position and the latch stays open. This brand-new machine has a tight cylinder spring and the needles tend to pop all the way down instead of to that low-middle position, so there will be more needle movement and more of a chance the latch closes. If you don't see a closed latch and you drop the stitch, picking up the result is very difficult. Also, the finger trick is nice for making sure that latch is closed by feeling it, and more of a tactile check that a visual check.

[@mcvallet]

@@dianaknits if you watch the latches it works really well. I am knew to CSM and I have only had this machine for a few days now and find it very easy to do if you pay attention to the latch.

[@Padraigp]

​@dianaknits seems like a great tip! I often run my fingers along my flat bed when I need to check as it's just a lot more reliable than my eyes. Sometimes my eyes will miss it but my finger never does! Especially when the needles are new and shiny. I have a very old csm machine I haven't got needles for it yet so this is great to see how it will all come together when I pull my finger out and do all the research to figure out what needles I need😂 that could take longer than my socks to wear out! ❤

[@Padraigp]

​@mcvallet aren't you great!!! What wonderful eyesight you have! Well done you😂