I am finding that this model of CSKM is not very popular however, thanks to the plentiful information with the numerous pictures and links in the Circular Sock Machine 3D Printed group on Facebook and the wealth of knowledge to be found on Karen Ramel’s CSM Love site I am slowly making progress. Especially as I have determined that my RSM2 is a contrary in the truest sense of the word.
Having used a Flatbed Knitting machine I was not prepared for the amount of weight needed for a CSKM. The CSM Tools for Cranking Page on Candy’s Colorado Crankers Blog had answers. I followed her instructions to make a set of soft weights and I am making progress with casting on.
True to it’s nature and contrary to the numerous posts I have read my RSM2 does not like too much weight. occasionally I have managed to use a 1.5 pound weight before it stops cranking. I am using cable clamps to keep moving the weight closer to the bottom of the cylinder which is where the machine is happiest holding the weight.
I finally made it out to a non-grocery store and bought a 3 pair pack of toddler no show socks. I now have a cute set of 4-8oz weights filled with BB’s.
I have designed and made small Hand Knit Cast On Bonnets that are acceptable to my fussy machine. Using the Dean & Bean method of casting on I have finally succeed in casting on a 2×1 Rib.
Starting 1 needle slot to the left of 12:00 I remove every third needle, I add a 1 ounce weight on a binder clip to anchor the waste yarn ends inside the bonnet and start hanging the Casting on bonnet working anticlockwise around the cylinder. at 9:00 I hang 2×1 ounce weights to the ring at the bottom of my bonnet, at 6:00 I place an 8 ounce soft weight inside the bonnet then continue back to 12:00 and work a few rounds with waste yarn before adding my project yarn and removing the hanging weights.
I am currently using zero tension on my yarn and I can crank about 10 rounds before needing to add a second 8 ounce weight for an additional 10 rounds. At this point the machine starts skipping stitches so I carefully remove the weights attach a Cable Clamp and start over. I am sure as my progress continues I will be able to improve on this. Although I have made a pair of Fingerless Gloves.
I have modified the yarn guide which has helped enormously. I cut a slot from the top down to the “hole” and my husband made a “q-hanger” out of a small eyelet to keep the yarn in place.
