Adventures in Machine Knitting

Adventures in Machine Knitting

Or, Learning to Knit on a Refurbished, Vintage Knitting Machine... Regardless, I recently bought a 1954/55-ish, series number 9004, Passap Speed-o-Knit M-201 knitting machine off of eBay for an absolute steal and have spent the past few weeks refurbishing and getting to know my new/old friend.

One thing I’ve definitely discovered is that there is not a lot of information to be had about these gems. Once double bed machines with punch cards and computers were created, no one really messed around with them anymore it seems.

Since we’re going on an adventure, then I suppose this will be the “Introduction”, where I, *ahem*, introduce you to the idea of what’s to come. I also suppose that logical topics to follow would be, how I went about refurbishing her, how to knit and what this beauty is and isn’t capable of, etc., etc.

Yes, I called it “her”. I’m weird in that I assign inanimate objects genders, names and personalities. Don’t they all have personalities though? Don’t they all have their little quirks and eccentricities, things that have to be done “just so” due to the nature of their manufacture or wear patterns?

I think of them less as a ”thing” that performs a function and more of a magical, mystical being that allows me to channel my creativity in ways that I otherwise would not be able to. Like a magnifying glass concentrates sunlight into a photon beam, setting fire to whatever it touches, these “things”, whilst concentrating creativity, set my mind on fire.

Did I go too deep? I know, I know. It’s just a machine.

Let’s see, magnifying, Maggie, too reminiscent of a Rod Stewart song. Aggie? Agatha? I like Agatha Christie. Agatha it is.

Meet Agatha, my “new to me”, circa 1955, Passap Speed-o-knit M-201 knitting machine.

We shall delve further into this series of topics at an unknown date, as of yet. I assure that it shall be soon, however, not only because I’m dying to share my knowledge of a machine that didn’t fully make it to the internets, but for personal reference of research.

Adieu, my friends.

Sincerely,

Shanna