Knitting Machines

[Drygoods]

Hello Friends,

With all of the threads about knitting, I thought that I might ask if anyone has information about antique knitting machines. Here is some information that I found from diaries which shows that they were used prior and during the CW era.

Elizabeth Le Breton Gunn, Sonora CA, March 3, 1859
"Mrs. Ashby has a new sewing machine, she also told me that she had heard of knitting machines at $15 that would knit drawers as well as stockings. I really do want one. I wish you would inquire about them in Philadelphia."

Mary Boykin Chestnut, Richmond VA, August 18, 1861
She repeated talked about her war effort group knitting socks for soldiers, but also mentions this comment: "They will not buy the knitting machines in Camden. Miss S.C. is too penny wise for that."

Ok, I know that isn't a great deal of information to run with, however, I feel sure that these things did exist and have read of them before. Does anyone here have one of these antique machines or have used one?

Mfr,
Judith Peebles

[celtfiddler]

Re: Knitting Machines

I do not own one of the machines, but I have seen one displayed at the Museum of New Hampshire History in Concord NH which is run by the New Hampshire Historical Society. Unfortunately, they do not have an image of the machine displayed in the museum online but a search of the online library catalog mentions an Aiken Knitting Machine.

Hope this slight bit of information helps,

Kimberly Schwatka

[Jeffrey Przewozniak]

Re: Knitting Machines

I do not own one of the machines, but I have seen one displayed at the Museum of New Hampshire History in Concord NH which is run by the New Hampshire Historical Society. Unfortunately, they do not have an image of the machine displayed in the museum online but a search of the online library catalog mentions an Aiken Knitting Machine.

Hope this slight bit of information helps,

Kimberly Schwatka

Here's a shot and an interesting article about the Aiken...

http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/moa/pageviewer?root=%2Fmoa%2Fscia%2Fscia0014%2F&tif=00325.TIF&cite=&coll=&frames=1&view=50

I am in earnest,

[Spinster]

Re: Knitting Machines

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1997

Scroll on down a bit, and you'll find a gentlemen who has one, complete with directions, and is working to put it back into use.

Green with envy,

[Drygoods]

Re: Knitting Machines

Mrs. Lawson, many kind thanks for the links that you posted. I especially enjoyed your comment about considering taking one of them home with you. After looking at the Hinkley 1866 model (one of Rick Mussleman's links - knitting museum), I most definitely would have wanted to do the same and wisk it away home. What great looking machines!

This reminded me of a really great site that others who collect machines might enjoy. If you search for the International Sewing Machines And Collectors Society, (ISMACS) you will find a large variety of machines and supplies. I am sorry that I don't know how to type the link onto the page here, but the search worked for me. I enjoy using antique machines and have quite a few of them myself. If you search the ISMACS page, the large early fiddle shaped Jones on the home page is just like mine.

Many thanks to all who have posted on this thread. I hope that I can find a knitting machine and give it a try.
Mfr,
Judith Peebles