Preemie Hat

We were not sure if this hat was correct Preemie size or not but it sure does fit Irwin, the Cabbage Patch Doll of the 1980's, very nicely! This was a test!  MrB used some acrylic yarn we had as he also wanted to see how Brigadier 88 acted when asked to knit it.  I think it passed the test! This was a first attempt and we are not sure how the Preemie hat is actually suppose to look but for a doll it will surfice!


msb from Socks Made On 88

Wooden Walnut Ring

Wooden Walnut Ring

On its side

The sock will go through this ring.  It has to be determined yet by MrB if  the size is correct and if it will act like he wants it to when it is used to hold of the soft weights in sock while on the machine.  I must admit it looks better than the pill bottle minus the bottom, for what he was using prior to coming up with this idea!

Here I have shown the ring pulled through the sock as it would be if it was on the cylinder.  This ring will hold up the soft weight when its in the sock.  The ring will move down further towards the floor as the string of socks grows as MrB keeps on cranking.

TOOLS made by MrBCranker.... No MrBLather

This is a latch hook tool in which MrB used one cylinder needle from the Erl and handmade a wooden handle for it from the lathe.  This tool is used very often and comes in handy.  I have seen MrB use this tool many times already!

These are two wood picking tools purchased from Lee Valley that MrB modified to meet his knitting needs. The tips were heated and bent and made so, to access the yarn more accessibily to meet MrB's needs in sock- making

This tool was originally sent to us with the Erl from the Erlbacher Gearhart Knitting Company, but unfortunately it had been glued twice and MrB decided it was one of his most favourite tools that it needed a more permanent handle!  So to the lathe he did go and he turned off a very nice purple- heart wooden handle and glued the two picked ends in place within the handle.  It does look very impressive and the handle itself feels smooth and nice to grab!  Here's hoping that this great tool will now last for many more grabs and picks for dropped stitches or yarn that needs to put in it's place by MrB. Good handy work MrB, this will be a small accomplishment that will go along with the Erl for days to come!  I am thinking that you should etch the month and the year on to it, as someday it may even become part of your family history for your sons to pass along as well as some socking- making stories!

Here they are, the hands of MrB creating what he intends to make, some wooden RINGS to assist in his sock-making process while the knitted sock tubes go through the cylinder and hang towards the floor.  I have mentioned before in posts that soft weights aid in this process and these rings that MrB is creating will also help the soft weights too in the whole sock- making knitting process. The wood MrB is using to make these particular rings, is from a branch of one of  our very own Walnut trees that stands in the backyard,  that lost some limbs in Hurricane Earl that passed through September 2010! MrB saved some of the fallen walnut limbs.   Oh My how fitting is that, that the this mere Walnut wood fell because of an Earl and now is to aid our very own Erl, Brigadier 88 and MrB in this sock-making adventure.  Now here is another gadget that has it's own little story to carry on.  Looks like history is in the making more ways than one for Socks Made on 88 as you have the machine itself, Brigadier 88, and tools and gadgets too by MrB!

MrB came to me this morning with a great idea!  He suggested that I could take pictures of the tools he has modified to aid him in the art of his sock-making adventure.  I thought that was a fabulous idea indeed.  Then he proceeded to tell me that he will be in his tinker room working on his lathe to create another new construction to help him out on our Erl. Brigadier 88 with have some assistance with these new rings that MrB is turning .Well as you can see just above this blurp that MrB is working hard on the lathe and I have captured his hands in the process!  I have also posted pictures of the TOOLS that were modified or adapted.  What a great idea you had MrB and I am glad you suggested this to me.  It makes me proud to share these on my blog, and it makes me proud that you too are actively thinking of things to add to the blog also.  I am sure our followers are going to enjoy seeing these latest pictures and your handy dandy ideas made right in your tinker room to help with our CSM Venture~  Socks Made On 88! I will have post picture of the wooden rings at a later time, once they are completed and tested.  We both are surely having lots of fun with this venture and it is also so much fun sharing it with you!


msb from Socks Made On 88