I can stop anytime I want [Encore]

Construction update:  Demolition has come to a halt, but construction and renovations continue on the building where I live and work. In spite of the large exhaust fan, bad fumes (from the sealant being used in the re-construction of the sidewalk) sometimes waft through the closed window. Today is indeed a good day to drop an "encore" post into the feed.

"I can stop anytime I want" was originally posted on August 20, 2011.
---

One of my favorite sites is Ravelry. My favorite place to lurk is on the forum topic "My name is .... I am a MK aholic." Here (Ravely sign-in required) people testify about recently acquired knitting machines and how they will explain, justify, or just plain hide them from their significant others. And yes, that's right. I said "lurk." Why would I join in? I don't have a problem.

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 hoarder collector DH actually encouraged me to take this machine, even though we don't quite have a place for it yet. I admit to the fact that I've started browsing eBay recently, but it's for informational purposes only. I don't have a problem. I can stop anytime I want.
---

Original post with comments can be found here.

Knitting machine update:  It turns out that the KH-830 has a problem with the punchcard mechanism. I've been unable to fix it. When I'm able to return to my regular knitting studio, I'll set the machine up to use as a dedicated machine  for hand-manipulation work.