Mark your calendars!  Plan now to attend!!

The Erlbacher Gearhart Sock Knitting Machine Company will host a CRANK IN on APRIL 1-3, 2011

Get a sneak preview of the ERLBACHER GEARHART CIRCULAR SOCK KNITTING MACHINE!  Crank on the machines and tour the manufacturing facility! 

Classes will be taught by Jenny Deters and Judi Meissner!  Possibly more teachers and vendors as well!

The Crank In will be held at
Victorian Inn & Suites
3265 William Street
Cape Girardeau, MO  63701
800-331-0445
Rooms are $82/night if you book by March 2, 20011
Mention SOCK CRANK IN when you are booking to get this rate.

There will be no charge to attend the Crank In!

Make your reservations now!!

Jamie

Please email if you have any questions!  jamie@erlbachergear.com

Here's a picture of Peewee knitting on the all new Erlbacher Gearhart Sock Knitting Machine!   Since our last post, we have been busy making socks!  Everyone I know will be getting them for Christmas and the guys in the shop keep hinting about the upcoming hunting season and cold toes.... 
Some of our followers say they do not do Facebook, so I (Jamie) have decided to update on the blog and get Grayson to do the Facebook updating! 

So right now we are still working on getting the ribber made.  The parts are coming together and we are almost there.  I am nervous, because I am the one who has to learn how to actually use it....but since heels and toes no longer make me have a hot flash, I think I'll be able to figure it out...

Since Pete and Deb took our CSM to the crank in, Peewee has been tweaking and adjusting on our machine...sometimes while I am working!!  Like today, he brought up a new V Cam and switched it out mid-sock!  Not a good idea....Just call that insta-hot-flash!

Everyday we talk to more and more people who are excited about our machine!  They offer lots of  advice, suggestions and encouragement.  Yesterday, a new friend from Indiana came to visit and offer invaluable information!  We love visitors!

We are so excited about our CSM.  And I want to thank the bloggers who gave suggestions on our last post.  I have been having so much fun making the mock rib!  As you can see in the picture, Peewee is showcasing the 2 1 rib.  I tell you, he's a knitting machine!

If you have questions, please ask!  We aren't sure what you want to know, so just ask and I will do my best to answer them!  Also, tell your sock making friends about our blog!! 

Thanks again to everyone who wishes us well! Your responses and suggestions are invaluable to us!

Happy Cranking!

Jamie

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....

After much debate and discussion, we have decided to provide further updates on our new Facebook page. Facebook is a much easier format in regards to pictures, both viewing and (for us) posting. Please follow us at the link listed below (requires a free Facebook account to access), or look us up in Facebook's search function as "Erlbacher Gearhart Knitting Machine Company":

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Erlbacher-Gearhart-Knitting-Machine-Company/125605310823212

Hope to see you there!

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.