HOW TO MAKE A SOCK BLANK

I'm back after a nice spring break. In this video I talk about the history of sock blanks, what they are, and where to buy them undyed. We visit my friend, Ann, who shows us her flat bed knitting machines and demonstrates how to make your own sock blank. Thanks for joining me!
LINKS:
KnitPicks Felici Yarn: Currently out of stock so no link
Lace-Edged Women's Hat Pattern: goo.gl/yG7Sot
YarnArt Jeans Yarn: goo.gl/6BDBhr
KnitPicks Undyed Sock Blanks: goo.gl/FFxmTE
Dharma Trading Co. Undyed Sock Blanks: goo.gl/GZlmXh
Wool2Dye4 Undyed Sock Blanks: goo.gl/OqEaP5
Undyed Sock Yarn Cones: goo.gl/7Rs6XL
My Friend Ann on Ravelry: goo.gl/LJx6Aq
Ravelry--Machine Knitting Sales & Swaps Group: goo.gl/TXJjS6
Ravelry--Machine Knitting Group: goo.gl/tU03iY
Ravelry--Mid-Gauge Machine Knitting Group: goo.gl/RdmwMN
One Knitting Machine Dealer (Minnesota): goo.gl/z2aJwA
[Knitting machines demonstrated in this video are the Studio Model 360 and the Brother Model KH260]
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Kristine Kelly
P.O. Box 74
Monmouth, IL 61462
Listen to past Ewe University audio podcast episodes here:
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If you are passionately curious and never get tired of learning new things, new skills, new ideas...I hope you enjoy watching my videos and learn something. Have a sparkly day!

[@sallysandwith9631]

I'm a knitting machine knitter from years ago. I started hand knitting socks and now all I do is hand knit. I enjoyed your podcast today and subscribed. Thanks , I'll see you next time. Sally

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Sally -- thank you for commenting and subscribing. I think it is neat that you went from machine knitting to hand knitting. 😀 Thanks for watching.

[@kbach92306]

I was able to score a 34 year old Studio 360 knitting machine at a garage sale for maybe $40? I can't remember ...but the woman only used it once and it is in pristine condition. I'm a yarn dyer which was the reason I bought it in the first place (for sock blanks) and seeing your video on this made my day! Watching your friend work on the same machine that I have has given me the courage to start using it. Thank you!

[@mariakristinahawl1640]

I love the "educational" tidbits of your videos. today I am binge watching your videos. I can't wait to play them for my mother! you are so awesome!!

[@EweUniversity]

Aww, thanks, Maria. I'm glad you are enjoying the videos and hope your mom does, too. I have a new one coming out tomorrow. XO

[@CF-rl8mz]

Tell Ann to make a KZbin channel! Her explaining the machine made more sense to me than dozens of other videos I've watched!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Cheryl -- I will tell her! Glad to hear that you found the information useful. Thank you for watching. 💜

[@aggiemakes]

I just bought my first sock blank and dyed it up. I love knitting from it! Thank you for sharing.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Aggie -- that's awesome! Thank you for watching. ♥

[@chrisb5391]

Wow!! I just found this video on sock blanks and how they are made. I have had a knitting machine like your friend's since the late 80's. I have rarely used it because I like the look of a handmade kitted garment. But you have shown me something new and wonderful. I am going to dust off that machine and put it to good use. Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Chris -- I'm so glad this inspired you to get out your knitting machine again. I hope you enjoy making sock blanks (I thought it was very fun and did not take long at all). XO

[@americanmade1701]

The Brother Kh260 with ribber is the bomb...i have that one and make tons of charity garments...also have a kx395 and a small addi for hats...love machine knitting..

[@raycreveling1583]

Thank you, I enjoyed the episode. I am a hand and machine knitter with 4 flatbed machines. I've been thinking about making sock blanks and this episode was a great primer.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Ray -- thanks for watching! I hope you give sock blanks a try. You are so lucky to have 4 knitting machines. :)

[@tonyacorder7892]

This was fascinating. I've always wondered how the sock blank was made. Thank you!

[@patmillett8056]

Yay! Thanks for this topic. I've never really seen a flat knitting machine working before. I was pleased with its quickness. Tempting to get one of these and knit sock blanks till my arms fall off! :)

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Pat -- I know, me too! It is kind of fun and I'm sure it would be a great arm workout! Thanks for watching! ♥

[@RenaKilgannon]

This was a fascinating episode - I always wondered how sock blanks were developed. Since I am new to sock knitting in general, the sock blank thing remains a novelty. Not so much now. Don't know if I would try it, but as I get better at socks, this is now a possibility. I was also very impressed with the knitting machines. Thanks for teaching us something new!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Rena -- I totally understand. It's nice to know that sock blanks are there if you ever do want to try knitting from one. :) Glad you enjoyed this video! Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment. ♥

[@katarinka1]

Thank you Kristine for another great show. Katka.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Katka -- thank you for your kind comment and for watching! ♥

[@kerfuffle9312]

Thank you for sharing your curiosity of sock blanks and knitting machines! I just acquired 2 knitting machines and was searching for info for making sock blanks and voila, found you.

[@EweUniversity]

Oh wow -- serendipity! :) Thanks so much for watching and for taking the time to comment. Best wishes with your knitting machines--so exciting!! ♥

[@kerfuffle9312]

Kristine Kelly Your research is a wealth of information! After a long hard days work, I really enjoy winding down with a coffee and viewing your videos. 😉

[@cherspann]

First I'd like to say that iron is really cute! It's probably the roundest one I've ever seen. Second: the sheep in the intro is too cute for it's own good!!! Third: the knitting machines are so fascinating! Thank you for sharing and providing so much informative entertainment!

[@EweUniversity]

Hello, and thank you! I love my iron. :) The sheep are southdowns that live just outside of my town. I went over to the farm to get some video footage of their sheep, and they happened to have some new lambs. Of course, I had to get them on video. Thanks for watching! ♥

[@joan9569]

Love the tulips. It's December now. I saw another video, that was, also, very scientific. There was a control, then three, 4 x 4" swatches. All had a garter stitch border, stockinette middle. The idea was to see how knitting the raveled, kinky yarn changed the final appearance of each swatch. It was striking. One remained knitted for just a few hours, another for a couple of days, the last was over a week. Each swatch was unknitted after it's "wait time", then reknitted. The worst-looking was the one that had been knitted for the longest time, before reknitting. Even after washing & re-blocking, the worst-looking was, still, the swatch that had been knitted for the longest time. So, this was a cautionary tale to re-think knitting already-knit yarn. Hope this helps someone.

[@rhondakehrberg7724]

Thank you for yet another fascinating episode this time focusing on sock blanks. 2 months ago I didn't even know what that was ! I watch the Grocery Girls ( Love Them) and they were discussing sock blanks without explaining (to newbies like me) what the heck it was! So I looked it up. It never even occurred to me at the time that you could make and design your own. How cool! I am nearly all caught up on your extremely informative podcast and it's becoming one of my favorites!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Rhonda, and thanks so much. Glad to hear you are enjoying my videos. 💚💚💚

[@patmiller3538]

I was always curious about sock blanks; had no idea how they were made. May have to purchase a sock blank and try it out. Welcome back!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Pat -- thank you so much! You definitely should try out a sock blank. There are some beautifully dyed ones for sale on Etsy that are such fun to knit up. Thanks for watching! ♥

[@sandrapolichino8806]

Love the hats ... Thanks for the pattern recommendation. Was wanting a nice pattern for a chemo hat. I love your nails !!!

[@ginasink1356]

I've used sock blanks for a couple of pairs of socks and i love the plumper, softer texture. The kinks bothered me only during cast on, but i was doing toe up socks with Judy's ?? method. Probably wont be as much an issue with top down German twisted cast on (my personal favorite). You read my mind choosing the subject of this "class". I've just lately been wondering how sock blanks are made. Now i know! Thanks to you and Ann.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Gina -- I know, the German Twisted/Old Norwegian cast-on is my favorite, too. I always use it with socks as well as hats. Glad to have read your mind, haha! Thank you for watching and commenting. ♥

[@cayenned.8608]

Great show Kris. Thank you! It was very interesting. I have never knit with a sock blank, but I think it sounds fun and the kinks in the yarn wouldn't bother me.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Cayenne! One of these days you will get to knit up a sock blank, I'm sure. :) You'll have to let me know what you think. Thanks so much for watching -- I'm glad you enjoyed the video. ♥

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

Good to know. I like the idea of creating the sock blank to do controlled dyeing and I look forward to your video on how to do that. I've taken basic and intermediate flatbed knitting machine courses many years ago and never touched a machine since. It may be time to start researching the purchase of one again. I like the idea of taking the class to try out the machines with an experienced knitter before making a purchase. Thank you.

[@EweUniversity]

Hello -- it would be great if you could take a class at Stitches or Vogue Live (or somewhere) and test out some different machines to see which one you like best. I'll be doing a future video on sock blank dyeing, so watch for that. XO

[@SSKYarners]

I just found your channel! Great episode & I'm looking forward to watching your other episodes! The history of sock blanks is great! I'm a machine knitter/sock blank maker, so it was wonderful to see someone else using machines! Thanks -Karyn 🙋🏻

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Karyn, and thank you so much. Glad that you enjoyed this video -- thanks for watching! ♥

[@sadiejosiemom]

I've knit from one sock blank and have one I'm just casting on. What I've noticed is with my short experience is not all sock blanks are created equally. The first one was not a very satisfying experience. I knit it top down - not that it mattered. I was pleased with the product but not the knitting experience. The one I have barely cast on seems to be a different yarn - really soft and I can already tell will be a better knitting experience. I don't know where the blank came from, but it feels much like the Knitpicks Felici yarn and that would be my guess. We all know how soft that yarn is!! I've always been intrigued by flat bed machines and wanted to try but never did. I don't have space for one so I doubt I'll try it. Thanks for this!

[@EweUniversity]

Hello, and thanks for your comment. Yes, I'm sure there is a variety in sock blanks, although most of the ones I've seen are merino/nylon blend. I do know that some are a lighter fingering weight and some a heavier fingering weight yarn. I'm glad the one you are working with now is a pleasure to knit up. :) I'm the same way -- while I would love to get a flat knitting machine, I don't have anywhere to put it right now, so I guess I will hold off. Thanks for watching and for your comment. ♥

[@redlexi45]

I am finishing a pair of socks that I am knitting from a Gale's Art sock blank. Watching the blank unknit and the socks form is a lot of fun. The crinkles don't bother me, they are the same a knitting from a frogged project. I may try Knit Picks blanks for some dyeing experimentation.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Karen -- oooooh Gales Art sock blanks are so beautiful! Yes, I hope you do try out some dyeing. :)

[@christinasee5157]

Hello Kristine I really enjoyed this episode. I am knitting on 2 different sock blanks at the moment, one is a double strand and one is a single strand. I like to wind them into cakes before I knit with them. The double strand one was so difficult to undo it got tangled a lot and my husband and I hand wound them as we had to keep untangling it. I don't mind knitting with the kinky yarn it doesn't bother me or my tension at all. To me the funnest thing about my second sock blank is that I did not know how the pattern would knit up before I knit it, a great surprise. The double strand one was a rainbow gradient so it was easy to know what that one would look like.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Christina -- I know that some people like winding the sock blanks into cakes (I call them yarn muffins). :) But yes, I have had so many issues like that with the double stranded ones! Some of the artistically painted sock blanks are a surprise to knit up, but it seems like they always turn out beautifully as socks. Glad you have had some great sock blank experiences and that you liked the video. Thanks for watching! ♥

[@christinasee5157]

Thank you for making such informative videos.

[@EweUniversity]

You're welcome! And thank you for your support. 💜

[@whatinspiresu]

EXCELLENT video. as luck would have it, I HAVE a knitting machine. Lock stitch, brilliant! any idea of how many rows she knit? looks like its about 2 feet. One note for you machine knitters... Theres a thing called 'ravel chord' You can do one row with a ravel cord, its strong slippery rope. knit with your scrap yarn, knit one row with the cord then move on to your real yarn. When youre done, just pull the cord and the scrap yarn comes right off. Hope thats helpful.

[@EweUniversity]

Hello! Thanks so much for your kind comment. I don't know how many rows Ann knit -- we were going by weight and just kept working until we reached 100 grams. Several people commented here about the ravel cord, and I talked to Ann about it. She said she has one but didn't think of using it. :) Next time we will definitely do that. Thank you for watching! XO

[@ooohlaa13]

I have made 2 worsted sock blanks and gradient dyed them purple/indigo for socks and leftovers for art projects. I used a plastic machine from Michaels. you have to be gentle with it when cranking with hand crank or gears will strip. I made another long flat blank to dye numerous colors to make a wild multi sock.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Barbara -- that's so interesting! I'm glad you were able to make the sock blanks with (what I'm guessing is) a more economical knitting machine. Thank you for watching! ♥

[@ooohlaa13]

yes with a 50% coupon it was around $35 and great fun; i forgot to mention that the long flat blank was made with two strands so I can make matching socks even at the same time if I want to try that. Elsewhere I had asked you did you ever put a link to the excel spreadsheet for the needles research you did? Thanx for all your meticulous reporting, I love the details you cite in your presentations.

[@needle_nut7501]

This was so interesting. It looks hard but then so did hand knitting when I first saw it. I think I would "checkout" if I had one!!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Cheryl! From what I could tell when I was there watching Ann, it didn't look difficult at all. I'm sure once you know how to set everything up, it is a lot easier. Yes, I think machine knitting could be a zen thing! :) Thanks for watching and commenting. ♥

[@mijejo11]

This was very interesting, as are all of your episodes. As a follow-up on this topic, perhaps you could approach the financial side of investing in a knitting machine verses buying already made sock blanks. Assuming one was purchasing the knitting machine exclusively for knitting sock blanks, what quantity of completed sock blanks would there be a return on investment? The dollar amount would have to include the cost of the machine, the cost of coned yarn, and approximate shipping costs for both. That would be compared to the costs of purchasing already made sock blanks and their associated shipping costs. At some quantity of sock blanks, the knitting machine route should be justifiable. What is that quantity? That gives a tangible answer. The intangible answer would be the intrinsic value of being able to knit other objects with the knitting machine.

[@EweUniversity]

Hello, and thank you for the suggestion. I have thought of that exact thing myself and think I will sit down and figure it out. I'll share my calculations in an upcoming episode. :) I'm glad you are finding my videos informative, and thank you for watching! ♥

[@nicolebacon3230]

I he to burst your bubble but Native American women have been using that "sock blank" technique for hundreds of years, since the settlers have been "donating" woolen blankets to the natives since they first came here. Love how they have made a name for something thats been done for so long.

[@sandrapolichino8806]

I thought you might have made a video for dying a sock blank by now !!! Love your videos !!!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Sandra -- there are so many tutorials on KZbin for dyeing yarn and sock blanks. I don't do many tutorials on my channel because they are so readily available on other channels. 😊

[@bon47ful]

Very interesting and informative! Thank you.

[@dorothymullaney9494]

I love your shows!

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks, Dorothy. ♥

[@jimmersgal]

great show. I've used a few ball winders. Knit Picks was by far the worst winder. the yarn would snarl up. horrible. They were good about the return. Just a lousy product. i have a Smallwood and LOVE IT! Best for me and it's so easy to use! but the best part is all I have to do is place yarn into areas I need to and begin to turn handle! Yarn doesn't slip off mechanism! Smallwood!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Lynn -- I think you meant to comment on my ball winder video, haha! But it's ok. :) You have a Stanwood? (I have not heard of the Smallwood brand.) I love my Stanwood. Anyway, so glad to hear that your ball winder is working well with no problems. Thanks so much for watching. XO

[@jimmersgal]

Kristine Kelly Oh silly me! haha! yes, I meant Stanwood!

[@louiseheerschap4580]

I'm a hand and machine knitter. I have made and dyed my own sock blank. My reason? I had seen a KZbin video where a mother and daughter dyed the most awful colored blanks but when they knit them up they were fantastic! So of course, I had to try my hand at it. I knit double stranded on my Brother 830 And dyed the most hideous blank I could imagine. The socks that were knit on it turned out great. They can be seen on my project page on Ravelry lzh called Experiment. I didn't understand why waste yarn was used on the project shown then I figured it was to check gauge, however if ravel cord had been used between the waste yarn and the sock yarn the ravel cord could have been pulled out with no trouble at all releasing the sock blank. Wish I had thought ahead and weighed my cone before starting, duhhh... it would have saved me guessing how much to knit. Next time😏

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Louise -- that's such a great story about the sock blank dyeing! Yes, I'm going to pass along that information about the ravel cord to my friend. Thanks for sharing that, and thank you for watching. XO

[@shirleyking2192]

I enjoyed this sock blank video. The lady that knit the blank on the machine used a cast on comb, just a note. Singer machines do not come with cast on combs. Brother machines come with the cast on combs. The machine knitter should have used a "ravel cord" after her first application of waste yarn and then pulled the ravel cord from the waste yarn and that releases the waste yarn from the bottom completely and easily without cutting the yarn. There are hundreds of machine knitting videos and there are hundreds of machines on ebay under "knitting machines". most will be used, but they don't break down, they last for more than 50 years. I was a knitting machine dealer. The Yahoo groups have many, many knitting machine groups for sales, and information. Shirley Henderson

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Shirley -- that's great information; thanks for sharing. I will pass along the info about the ravel cord to my friend. If only you lived nearby, lol! :)

[@redlexi45]

Hi Dr. K., In the future could you discuss knitting socks with and without nylon. How do we compensate for no memory (limp legs)?

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Karen! I can certainly put that topic on my list. Really, the nylon content for sock yarn is more for strength than elasticity, though. Socks out of pure wool yarn will be a-ok because wool has excellent elasticity/memory. Now, if you're using something like pure cotton, that wouldn't be a great choice because cotton will stretch out and not spring back so in that case you would end up with limp legs. :) So with cotton, it would be better for it to be blended with nylon or wool to get that elasticity. But, yes, I can talk about this further in a future video. Thanks for the suggestion! ♥♥♥

[@Lory_D]

Interesting As always 😊

[@sandygrogg1203]

Very interesting... and informative... 👍

[@Mindfulnessification]

Awesome! I used to own knitting machines and now wish I had not sold them..... 🙈🙈🙈

[@EweUniversity]

Jennifer Markow Hi Jen! Oh dang, I hate when that happens! 😣

[@chi2cali]

To create a double stranded sock blank, I can use a mid-gauge machine. Right? That is the only size knitting machine I have so I'm trying to figure out if I can make this. Great podcast, by the way! :)

[@EweUniversity]

Thanks, Tashia. :) I asked Ann your question and she said yes, that should work. She suggested trying it at a loose gauge to begin and then decide if you want to tighten the tension more. You will probably want to experiment a little, kind of like a gauge swatch. Good luck with it, and let me know how it turns out! Thank you for watching. ♥

[@chi2cali]

Great! Thank you 😊

[@donnaridenhour-mchenry240]

I've listened in for about four (4) minutes and there's yet to be info on sock blanks.......did you mis-title your vid? Thanks!

[@joan9569]

I think that Dr. Kelly likes to be a little more personable. :)

[@soniaguzman762]

I had never heard of a sock blank.

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Sonia -- now you'll have to try knitting with one. Wait til you see a sock blank dyed up -- you might not be able to resist. :)

[@mary-ruthflores4107]

I’m not a fan of the waste yarn, as you have to to a bit of experimentation to make sure the dye won’t transfer. I have sometimes used a very light acrylic but it can still transfer so I would prefer not to use the waste yarn. And ironing acrylic isn’t a smart idea! If you do use waste yarn there is no need to remove it from the wrong end, just ignore it, and you won’t be tempted to pull it.

[@BlossomBlendFibres]

How did you attach the comb? I have an artisan machine and have the weights you used but not sure about the comb. I'll have to look through my supplies. Can I cast in without one?

[@EweUniversity]

Hello! Thanks for watching and for commenting. I'm not sure of the answer to your question, but my friend Ann will know. :)

[@annmeminger760]

Hi! This is Ann. I attached the comb this way: I set up every-other-needle (EON) on the main bed of the knitting machine. I then started with waste yarn and knit from right to left. I hung the comb from the floats formed between the needles. Then I knit from left to right. I now knit several rows of waste yarn and added in my project yarn. Hope this helps!

[@BlossomBlendFibres]

Ann Meminger Hi Ann Thanks for replying! Could you show me up close up how you attach the comb? I just can't seem to figure this out without a close up.

[@claudettemonty4077]

Do you have ha t for a man in chemotherapy and don't have an hair and he's always frozen??

[@joan9569]

No video.

[@knitballsoffire3231]

Thank you for sharing the knitting machine part! I have often wondered how they work! I especially loved that it can be used for different items as well as personal design. The sock blanks I've seen make me want to knit one up and dye my own. It would be hand-knitted as the machine is a bit pricey for me at this time. However, I know what I will be saving for!!!

[@EweUniversity]

Hi Brandie -- I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I know exactly what you mean about the knitting machine! It would be fun to have one for the multiple purposes you can use it for. Thanks for watching. ♥♥♥