I happen to be very happy with my one and only Passap DM-80.
It's a workhorse and very versatile too. Frankly, at this time, it's the only machine I have room for. And if you don't count my Brother KH-260 in storage far, far away in New Mexico, it's the only machine I own. Or rather it's the only machine I have set up. It was the only machine I owned until a of couple of weeks ago.
Reasons I acquired a new (to me) knitting machine
Reason #1 - I'm helping the environment
A longtime friend of mine, a spinner and weaver extraordinaire, called to ask if I wanted her knitting machine. Machine knitting was one of those things my friend thought she would eventually learn, but she had never gotten around to it. Now the family was moving to temporary smaller quarters, while their home was being renovated. Would I want the machine?
The first time she had asked, a few months ago, I wasn't sure. During this particular phone call I got the feeling that since they were moving the next day, either I took the machine or it might be orphaned and end up in a landfill. I said yes.
Reason #2 - I'm a designer
Well, it's a Brother KH-830, no ribber, but it has a lace carriage!!!
It's just perfect for doing hand manipulated work and traditional lace, equivalent to the lace that hand knitters make with yarns over and k2togs, as opposed to the kind of lace I make on the Passap with cross bed transfers and/or racking. (Yes, I know the casual observer does not care, but the real knitter cares!) Truly if I am to realize all this design stuff kicking around in my head and sketched in my notebooks, I will need more than one machine. I'm a designer, dammit! I need access to more than one tool. Whoever heard of a hand knitting designer with just one knitting needle?
Reason #3 - Historical significance
This machine's got provenance, baby. Here's the mailing label from the box that the Knitleader (a knitting accessory, used to guide the knitter with shaping) was packed in.
This machine obviously once belonged to famed knitter, fiber artist, author, and my former teacher, Susanna Lewis
. Or at least the Knitleader accessory once belonged to her. Or at least the box that the Knitleader was packed in did....***
When people in the MK-aholic forum discuss their six or eleven knitting machines, I know that three knitting machines are not too many. My
LOL!
ReplyDeleteYou have 3 now, but I bet it will grow if you are like most machine knitters! Somehow, they seem to attract other machines :-)
ReplyDeleteBG, I'm glad someone's laughing!
ReplyDelete***
Ann, hmmm, thanks for this info. I will at least try to keep them isolated. This way they can't breed!
Nice story. How awesome that it belonged to your teacher. I have the same machine at home and I love it! I also have the Passap Duomatic that I purchased second hand that is super dirty and needs a good cleaning before I can learn to use it. I am excited to give it a try as I know it is going to be much more versatile than the Brother. I thought I would then sell the Brother once I cleaned up the Passap but it may be difficult for me to part with being my first machine and all. I also have a chunky knitter.
ReplyDeleteLadeeBee, thanks! All the best with the new (to you) addition. I think it will be worth the effort. :)
ReplyDeleteA lot of people have many, many knitting machines but never knit on them!
ReplyDeleteI belonged to a machine knitting club where most of the members kept buying machines (and yarn) but never got beyond looking at them... Even a swatch seemed daunting...
As long as you use your machines, I don't see any problems with having a few of them! :-)
P.S. l've been machine knitting for 30 years on my 2 machines, a Passap Duo and a Singer Bulky with ribber. They both have all the accessories that were ever made for them! That helps, a lot!
Blonde, I loved the story of mk club, where most members kept buying machines and yarn! But you're so right -- no prob as long as you are actually using the machines.
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