Learning to use the CSM Ribber // Episode 182 // Taking Back Friday // a fibre arts vlog

[@Kelleykrafts]

Yes! Your video is spot-on. So much to learn before a sock can be made on the CSM.

[@michaelinereed3946]

Hi! Thank you so much for this posting!. I have a csm and I can, and have, knit a bunch of socks. My family and friends love it when I practice. Now that I have mastered making a complete sock with no problems, I am ready to tackle learning to use my ribber. So I happened across this video at the perfect time. I also wanted to thank you for sharing the two books by Lucy Best. I had not heard of them and I ordered them from Amazon right immediately! Thanks again and happy knitting!

[@KnitWitYarnShop]

That ending bit made my day. So adorable!! ❤

[@kelipotter847]

Wow! I’m amazed at how your mind works, how you dive in and “learn” everything you can about whatever you’re working on/with!!! I’ve had a csm since January and I’m just happily knitting tubes and adding afterthought cuffs, heels and toes!! Thanks for another informative and fun video! Your daughter is adorable!!!

[@katrinalevin4064]

I have only heard of these sock knitter but had no idea how comprehensive this machine is. Thank you for explaining your foray into knitting socks with your knitting machine.

[@TheCraftyGemini]

I haven’t jumped into using the ribber yet but I’m glad you gave the basic info necessary to make sure it’s setup correctly. Will have to tinker with mine soon! Thanks and I’m glad you are enjoying your Speedster as much as I am! 🙌🏽🥳

[@BBMc107]

This is vital info. Thank you so much! I would have plopped the ribber on and not had a clue as to why it was not working. I am so excited to get my csm in a few weeks and am learning all I can.

[@deniseframeharlan7628]

Go Felicia go! Don't hesitate to FEARLESSLY knit whole socks and whole pairs of socks! Yes, we DO knit bunches of socks to kitchener while traveling-- good idea! I'm at Stockingfoot Knits. Glad you are getting along so well with your machine.

[@lynnrixson1094]

This is fabulous! I do hope you will continue to give more details and demonstrations of your wonderful machine 😊😊

[@StephSario]

I love how specific you are. Thank you!

[@esthercooper7427]

The Erlbacher is on my Spring "things to order & learn". I have thoroughly enjoyed your journey thus far and sincerely hope you will continue to share. Please, please, please keep us in the loop.

[@julietpage4322]

OMG, your daughter is just so adorable and fabulous! She’s a natural like you. 💞 You’re just rocking the CSM learning curve. Yay! When you get ready to tackle the toe up method, I recommend Dave Lord’s “Tip Toe Tool”.

[@sweetgeorgia]

Oooh perfect! Thanks for the tip Juliet! I’m off to check it out

[@pattishanks3788]

Love your enthusiasm for learning something new, and the added bonus at the end to include your sweet daughter!

[@KatrinaGressett]

Oh my giddy heart, I just bought an Erlbacher CSM because of your videos. I'm so excited to get started!

[@sweetgeorgia]

Yahoo! Have fun!!

[@sharonkennedy8612]

So interesting to see the machine come alive.

[@laynieb2858]

Oh my goodness - great stuff, Felicia! Thank you for blazing this trail and sharing it with us at the same time...amazing how you are able to break it all down, focus and figure out what you need / want to learn, step by step ....I can see myself getting sidetracked or overwhelmed - And your daughter is darling...

[@denisekinsley3554]

A square heel flap on a CSM? Mind blown. 🤯 I hope to see more of these videos! I'm still waiting for my CSM and watching / bookmarking everything useful that I can find.

[@lorinzylks4254]

My gosh, your daughter is freaking adoreable

[@dmghouse604]

One of the best CSM videos I’ve seen. Great presentation. And as a hand Knitter and CSM Knitter I have always enjoyed your yarns!

[@dianaw9829]

Your daughter is adorable!!! I was just listening in while redoing a portion of a beaded bind off, and she popped up on my screen at the end of your video! I’m still smiling!!!

[@carriemoore6038]

I love seeing your progress! Wow! I love Juana’s selvedge as well. I look forward to seeing your pile of finished socks. So much fun.

[@jenniferbarrett3272]

Felicia, your enthusiasm and perseverance are amazing- and your young assistant is the best! 💕

[@RoxyKnits]

Thank you so much you saved my sanity lol! I knew about getting the fin in the correct position ……but hadn’t realised it needed a drive pin! Who knew lol, now have my first ribbing sample and next to learn how to switch back and forth :)

[@lynnbrown3548]

Wow Felicia you're doing great!! I'm like you and get totally excited when I get the ribbing working and then transition to stockinette or continue with 1 x 3 ribbing!! I love Juana's ribbed top and watched a couple of videos to get it just right. Amy the Sock Maker has an excellent video. Pulling the ravel cord (or waste yarn) at the end then steaming it makes it perfect. My best socks were the ones I made my 7 year old granddaughter - 1x1 ribbed cuff and 3 x 1 ribbed leg and foot top on the 60 cylinder. Your yarn makes wonderful socks!! I ordered some more. Enjoy!

[@beautiqueatelier]

Thank you so much for this video. It’s a great help by the rabbit hole I’m about to dive in! And your daughter, I can see from who she has her talent from😊

[@chantalcollin9512]

WOW your daughter is so cute ! Good luck with making socks for your children on your new sock machine.

[@fifthlampdown]

Such a great helper at the end! Thanks for sharing your process, this is so fun and fascinating!

[@stacilockman329]

My mind is officially blown! I’m getting exactly the same machine and cylinders that you have in a few short weeks. I am reading all the books, watching all the videos, and hoping I can have several weeks by myself when it arrives to figure everything out. Thank you for these videos on CSMs!

[@kristinafabianova7139]

I am not a knitter, but just spend two weeks of wondering, if you can knit a sock on Sentro. So I bought it - and made a sock. I Feel your enthusiasm.

[@ruthnguyen5464]

Your heels and toes and ribbing look fantastic!! I think we're all much more appreciative of stockinette and ribbon after this. And Nina looks ready to host some Taking Back Friday vids herself!

[@diannefitzmaurice9813]

Ribbing ! lol .

[@ruthnguyen5464]

@@diannefitzmaurice9813 Oops-autocorrect strikes again! 😂

[@deborahknight4144]

Great job! It's not easy to keep all those steps straight and in order. We'll done!

[@lauralineparadis-robert7254]

OMG your daughter at the end, so precious! 😊

[@StephSario]

I've never been able to figure out how to make a sock chain (starting a new sock without removing the first sock) for socks with 1x1 ribbing. If you can figure it out I'd love to see how you do it!

[@inapickleknitting1694]

Your video has inspired me to give the ribber another go. We have been on a similar journey as I just received my CSM in May. I’ve made several pairs of the No-show tab shortie socks and was so proud, just as you are with your rib into stockinette. Thanks for your time to produce this video! 🧶

[@sweetgeorgia]

Right?! Ribbing and then switching into stockinette?! Seems like such a momentous learning milestone 😆 good luck with your ribber and enjoy! Thanks for watching!

[@TheMetatronGirl]

Nina is so CUTE!! Her addition to the video is priceless, and utterly adorable. Though in retrospect, I’m not sure who was cuter, Nina doing her tutorial, or you geeking out about 1 x 1 ribbing and stockinette, Felicia?!?! I love it! I’m getting more and more inspired to try a csm! Thank you for this wonderful little bit of joy you added to the internet. 💗

[@julesp213]

Thanks for explaining the robber I am debating buying one for my cam. Your daughter is adorable!

[@stephaniekowals5154]

this is fascinating! but I can't possible start another thing. I love seeing you learn new things.

[@sweetgeorgia]

Thanks Stephanie!

[@Beach652]

Ha, new host in training - love it!! Also, I feel like this CSM is excellent prep for the future hattersley. 😊

[@sweetgeorgia]

💯🤩 yes!!! Between the CSM and the loom restoration, I think it will be so fascinating to restore a Hattersley!!!

[@QueenAnneKnitsandSews]

Your daughter is precious!!!

[@melissagoetz8847]

Love this!❤️

[@dmghouse604]

I would like to see your sock pattern for your daughter. I make lots of socks for grown ups but struggled with children’s sizes! Thanks!

[@ericathefae]

Awww, she's adorable

[@charlottelee1152]

ahh Nina is so brave on camera! The machine sounds quite complicated for my small brain 😂

[@lovannahsirois4932]

What a cutie pie at the end!

[@heatherthomas1461]

Excellent tutorial ❤

[@sweetgeorgia]

Thank you so much!

[@knit1924]

Hi, beautiful video! Thank you, when ribbing at a looser tension, the ribber hits the yarn carrier and they are offset. How do I adjust that?

[@klaskelangford8324]

Thank you!

[@colemine7008]

I imagine this could be used to make sleeves for sweaters.

[@rachellove9995]

So can you please show and list everything you bought and needed to accomplish a complete sock? Please.

[@PeterDonahue-uh4bd]

I needed this video

[@sweetgeorgia]

Yay! Glad it was helpful!

[@spetersca]

Love watching you figure out things!!! Also very cute to see your daughter. Do you think she's going to follow in your footsteps with fibre arts?

[@sweetgeorgia]

Thanks Sue! So far she likes crafty things with paper, beads, drawing, and trying to construct things with cardboard. If she ever wants to explore yarn and fibre, I think I have some supplies she can use 🤣

[@LaTrica01]

How do you close the toe up after it's knitted.

[@star_athena]

Great video! On my machine the ribber takes a different tension than the stockinette otherwise the ribbing is very tight. I wonder if that’s universal to Erlbacher machines or all machines or just mine. I love these and the ending was fab. ❤️

[@sweetgeorgia]

Oh there should be a little dial that allows you to adjust your ribbing stitches too. I did not move mine from the factory setting, but that is another adjustment you can make ☺️

[@PeterDonahue-uh4bd]

U are a genius

[@soniaabbasi2511]

I want this machine but is not available in my country.(Pakistan)

[@lauraparisi8860]

I m live in Italy, can I buy the machine?

[@sweetgeorgia]

I believe that Erlbacher will ship machines internationally, but it’s best to check directly with them. Good luck!

[@debraraiche3327]

I really don't know anything about knitting...So is this machine not for me???

[@MichiaMakes]

In no way is this meant as a criticism toward you. You seem to be a lovely person with a warm disposition and friendly voice. It’s the idea of paying $3,000 dollars for a sock machine. 😮😮😮 I’m personally not a fan of fat fashion and the practices required to deliver 40 pair of socks for $10 (May be giving side eye to a certain fruity from loomy company here). However, if you’re a family buying said socks (and let’s face it, that’s a lot of families!), you are not likely to afford a $3,000 CSM with seemingly a learning curve from hell. The goofy little plastic POS machines with 20-ish needles can’t make a sock with any lasting power at all. Why aren’t there any logical and affordable decent options in the world? It’s really insane when you consider these machines have existed since the 1800s. What it’s going on?????????

[@sweetgeorgia]

Absolutely, I hear you on the dearth of options!! That's why it took me more than a decade of thinking about this machine to actually dive into this area. I first heard about CSMs in 2009 and just thought, there's no way.... But when I think about it now, these metal sock machines were designed as industrial machines for a cottage industry. People would use these sock machines to produce socks for sale... in fact, one of the models was even called "Money Maker" (www.dunsterstationmuseum.ca/museum_monthlyfeature_moneymaker.htm). So these machines were meant for production work, not necessarily hobby. In terms of a more reasonably priced option, Dean & Bean is a 3D-printed sock machine that is available here: www.deanandbean.com/ The company was founded by siblings who created this machine for their mom who wanted a CSM. The idea is fantastic and seems like a great way to bring more CSM knitters into the community. Hope that helps!

[@sweetgeorgia]

Actually, your comment also made me think, we could all help support the CSM sock knitters who are running businesses making socks for people... that could be a happy medium as well - avoiding fast fashion, investing in good fibres and long-lasting materials, supporting makers, and also without needing to navigate the cost or learning curve of a CSM. I would check out Hannah on Instagram... instagram.com/thegirlwhowearswoolsocks/?hl=en just one CSM knitter who is growing a business in this way. ☺

[@MichiaMakes]

@@sweetgeorgia during both wars CSMs were manned by those as young as four years old. The Red Cross supplied machines and wool during WW1. WW2 brought a preference for hand knitted socks 🧦. Perhaps due to the outcomes from 4 year olds lol. So many machines were melted down for military purposes. I imagine all those circumstances have placed us firmly at odds with our own best interests. I feel torn regarding the future. Renewed interest could mean resurgence of CSMs until they become mass produced, as has begun in plastic, to the further detriment of the environment. For now, we hail to the artisans who endeavor to do better, who create rather than destroy. We celebrate the success and heart of you and all those like you. I can’t imagine the strength required to face the Internet and it’s bored trolls. Please know you are appreciated and valued.

[@E_LithaBeth]

Hi, thanks for the video. If I could leave a comment, it would be helpful if you could hold your hands still when showing your viewers what you are talking about instead of gesturing with the socks. Or, better yet, step out of the picture and just show more closeups. Again, thanks and I hope you don't mind this feedback!

[@sweetgeorgia]

Thanks! Yes I know I talk with my hands 😆 but yes, I appreciate the feedback. Thanks!