Greetings Sock Knitting Machine Fans!  I am Jamie, daughter number 4 of Peewee's clan.  It was/is my job to make the socks on the CSM...I am thrilled to report that the old Gearhart has been put to pasture, I am using the first prototype of the all new Erlbacher Gearhart CSM!  However, I need your help.  

Question 1:  What's your favorite brand of sock yarn?  We would like to partner up with a yarn company/supplier but there are so many out there, I'd like to know your favorites!

Question 2:  Can you share your EASY sock patterns with me?  Remember that I am a newbie and that sometimes I end up with a big old wad of mess that I just have to wind back up into a center pull ball!  I'd like to know how to start off a sock without having to hang a hem...is that possible?  I'd also like to know the very easiest way to close a toe....

I can't wait to hear your comments/suggestions/responses!

In the meanwhile, I'll be cranking away....

The handles have been yet another issue. I thought these would be a stock item for someone, somewhere. Does not appear to be the case. I am learning this will, for the most part, be the norm. So we found some wooden handles and are going to try to modify them. I am not sure how these will fit the hands of the crankers. At this point, we are trying to be true to the original,but how nice would a cushy, ergonomic one be? Maybe later down the road. Just a few pics and I will try to update as well as answer some of the questions left on the blog. Please be patient, as we have a machine shop to run with lots of other stuff in and out, so the CSM stuff sometimes has to take a back seat-Thanks again for everyone's kind words of support-

Well, this is the first blog in the first step to making a complete CSM. After many conversations, material research, and reverse engineering, we are on our way to making our first prototype of a CSM. The material we are using is an aircraft grade aluminum (6061T6). Each part is being turned on a CNC machining center, so the tolerances are very tight. We are taking each part at a time and trying to machine it as close to the original as we can. At this point we have the needle cylinder turned without the slotting operation, the cam shell turned without the radius milled and the bed plate is completed. The bevel gear is turned, but does not have teeth on it yet. I will try to post updates as we get farther in the process. Please do not hesitate to email us at Erlbacher Gear and Machine at sales@erlbachergear.com.