Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Sock Knitting Machine

The Farmer makes socks



 
He uses a circular sock knitting machine.
It is a reproduction of an antique one made in New Zealand.
He has wanted a genuine antique machine but they are hard to find.
One day while sitting in a little restaurant
in Port Colbourne Ontario something caught his eye.
Across the room in a basket of knitting paraphernalia 
he saw a part he recognized sticking out of the pile.
It was an old rusty relic sock knitting machine.
An offer was made to the restaurant owner.
She had to ask her mother if it was OK to sell it.
 Her grandmother was the original owner and she felt 
that asking her mom would be the right thing to do.
The following week it was agreed.
The Farmer would take it home.


It took some time to free up seized parts.
It had needles rusted in place that had to move to get it apart.


They did eventually come free.


Everything was extremely rusty.
This may have been a waste of money.
The Farmer doesn't give up easily though.



So apart it came


Bit by bit


 Screw by screw





Once disassembled it was time for a good cleaning.
Simple green was applied liberally 
Everything was scrubbed clean of grease.
Then a purchase was made that would make or break the project.


The advertisement in Lee Valley tools sounded to good to be true.
But WOW this stuff worked wonders.
The parts soaked in it for 24 hours then were rinsed off dried and oiled. 


 The rust just disappeared


 A few missing parts to find though.
A pin to fit the ribbing attachment for now will be a bolt.


 The mast that holds the yarn guide is a piece of steel from the Canadian Tire store.

  
The buckle to hold weights on the work is missing as well.
The one with the reproduction machine will do for now.


 Without the yarn mast up 
trying to run the ribber wasn't an option during this photo op.


 A nice job of stockinette stitch.


 The Farmer and family will have nice warm feet this winter


 

BRRRR

The Farmer lives in the old farmhouse.
This morning he experienced nostalgia from childhood.
Only one window remains from that era.
Back in the day they all looked like this when it got this cold.

BRRRR -15 and dropping

A perfect opportunity for baking
The Farmer threw in the chicken and steamed the veggies at 10:00
The Farmers Wife pitched in after checking on the sheep.
By 12:00 there were a bakers dozen of mouth watering pot pies.
While The Farmer was retrieving the camera The Farmers Son had devoured two of them.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Cozy little nest

The Farmers Wife was returning to the house after feeding the sheep.
Looking into the bare maple tree, she spied something interesting.


 At first she thought it was the remains of a hornets nest.
After squinting a bit to focus she saw a nest.


 Not just your everyday run of the mill birds nest.
This one is top of the line.


 Looks like 90 percent virgin wool.


Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Lady Mary

The Farmer and The Farmers Wife welcomed a new ewe today.

Introducing Lady Mary


There was a quick meet and greet outside.


Followed by an open house in the barn.


Including hay for all.


Lady Mary was a little too shy to dig in like the rest.


The Farmer and The Farmers Wife welcome Lady Mary.
She is a purebred Romney like her new mate Ramses
She comes already bred so the hope is
she will lamb new purebred breading stock for the farm.