On May 13, 2008, at 11:05 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> I also own a very old stocking knitting machine that is circular. I
> haven't done anything with that yet. I am curious to see if I
> could make stockings on it that re enactors could use.
It depends on the era and accuracy you're aiming for. Circular
knitters were used for stockings in the 19th century. Prior to that,
machine-knit stocking were knit flat to shape and seamed up the back
and along the sides of the foot. Hand knit stockings were always
around and knit in the round.
With a circular sock machine, you could make accurate stockings
for the 19th and 20th centuries. For earlier times, you can offer
colors and materials beyond what is commercially available currently.
Early knits for stockings, both hand and frame (machine) knit,
are dense without much stretch. Latch hook machines make a stretchy
knit, and even with the tension set very high it's not exactly the same.
Considering that a most historic costuming means compromise,
you can provide something that will be useful to earlier reenactors.
-Carol
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