One thing........

leads to another, as the old saying goes.
A couple of years ago, while hanging out on Ravelry, I stumbled across of group of ladies that were talking about circular sock knitting machines, aka:  CSM's.  My ears perked up, my interest was sparked and that became the beginning of the downward spiral into "cranking".

I was under the impression that this would be a great way to burn through my never ending  sock yarn stash.  I found myself a beautiful antique Gearhart through a friend on Ravelry who re-furbishes them and so it began.  I had several false starts, a few tears and maybe some curse words, and I wondered what in the heck did I get myself into.  But I persevered and be damned if I'd give up so easy.  Finally it all came together and I was making socks.

I have since purchased another antique, my Bickford knitting machine that the Mr. and I refurbished and I bought a newly manufactured machine from the Erlbacher Gearhart Co.  I have the versatility of making lots of socks with several different cylinders sizes and ribbing with the "Erl" which I don't have with the antiques. 

And that dent I thought I'd put in the sock stash, it never happened.  It seems the more you crank the more yarn you need, and that sock box of mine is full to the brim.  There are a lot of happy friends and family out there with warm and snugly feet.