Circular sock machines were manufactured in almost every country.  Virtually every nation held  a patent.  

Most sock machines were produced between the early 1800s and 1920s.  Newer sock machines,  such as the Harmony Auto Knitter ceased production in the late 1980s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Franz and Pope Automatic Knitting Machine

The Franz and Pope sock knitting machine was introduced in 1869 as a family knitting machine for domestic use.  Although its premier purpose was to produce substantial hosiery, it was also utilised to make fancy apparel, household adornments and various items of practical use.  The Franz and Pope circular knitting machine came complete with a 72 slot cylinder, a 100 slot cylinder and a standard array of knitting accessories.  

 

Creelman's Original World Star Ribbing Machine

Patented in 1879 as "The Great Hosiery and Family Ribber", this sock machine was the Creelman Brothers' first ribbing machine.  Creelman's plain machine did not feature a ribbing attachment and was patented the 22nd of August, 1874.

 

Creelman Brothers' Banner Sock Machine

This Canadian sock machine was the Creelman Brother's finest.  Manufactured in the 1800s, a complete outfit included a 36 slot ribber dial, a 40 slot ribber dial and 60, 72 & 80 slot cylinders.  Cost was $100.00 back then...imagine that!

People 's High Speed Circular Knitting Machine

The People's High Speed knitting machine was manufactured by Joseph. E. Gearhart in the early 1890s in Clearfield, Pennsylvania.  The People's High Speed sock knitting machines were noteworthy for their revolving needle cylinders.  Despite numerous improvements, the People's High Speed circular knitting machines retained a remarkable similarity to the modern Gearhart family knitting machines.

Wikuna Circular Knitting Machine

Believed to have been made in Holland, this Dutch sock machine resembles the English Imperia in design and workmanship.

Modern Imperia Circular Knitting Machine

Purchased from a British tradesman, this Imperia sock machine was used to produce argyle stockings for Scottish highland dancers.  The ribber and cylinder outfits span from 36/72 to 54/108.

Home Profit Knitter  The Master Machine

Manufactured by the Home Profit Hosiery Company until the late 1920s, this American sock machine hails from Rochester, New York.  Home Profit knitting machines were advertised by the Home Profit corporation as "The Master Machine of All Knitters".  Beauty and brass were combined in this spectacular sock machine.  Features included a built in stand, solid brass ribber dials and solid brass cylinders.  A 36 slot ribber dial and 72 slot cylinder came standard.  However, 48 slot ribber dials and 96 slot cylinders were also available.  Special edition Home Profit Master machines with 3.75" cylinder diameters were produced to knit baby socks and children's hosiery.  This American sock machine remains a gem amongst collectors.

Griswold Circular Knitting Machine

In England, domestic circular knitting machines became known by the term "Griswold", owing to Henry Josiah Griswold (1837 - 1929) of Madison, Connecticut.  In 1891, Griswold formed the London and Leicester Hosiery Company and leased a factory on Winifred Street in Leicester, England.  Between 1890 and 1892, Griswold returned to America and sold his rights to the firm to I. L. Berridge.  Numerous improvements were introduced to Griswold sock machines.  Nevertheless, they remained solid.  The most common setup for Griswold sock machines was a 42 slot ribber dial and an 84 slot cylinder.   Harrison Circular Knitting Machine The Harrison circular knitting machine was manufactured in Manchester, England by the Harrison Patent Knitting Machine Co. Ltd.  Harrison knitting machines have the company's emblem conspicuously stamped in their bases.  A 42/84 setup came standard with each machine.  Cast iron stands, balling machines and large hand winders were available at additional cost.  At the turn of the century, the Harrison circular knitting machine underwent a final improvement and was termed the New Sun Circular Knitting Machine.  During their age of manufacture, Harrison circular knitting machines won 38 awards for superiority of construction and capacity of work.  The Harrison Patent Knitting Machine company was the only English manufacturer of knitting machines to win 10 gold medals for craftsmanship in the knitting machine industry.  In 1908, the company was awarded the highly acclaimed Grand Prix gold medal at the Franco-British exhibition.     Machine à Tricoter Manufactured by P.T. Legare, this Canadian sock machine shows a marked resemblance to the Creelman Brothers' World Star sock machine.  Both models featured a crescent-shaped needle latch opener with yarn feeding through the centre of the ribber post.  P.T. Legare was believed to be a firm that sold goods via mail order catalog.   Modern Victoria Automatic Knitting Machine Manufactured by W & J Foster, this English sock knitting machine is one of their latest versions.  The Victorian Automatic Knitting machines featured solid brass ribber dials, brass counters, brass cylinder belts, brass wing nuts and brass set up umbrellas.  Their design approximates the Griswold circular knitting machines.  As with most English circular knitting machines, a 42/84 set up was standard. Duplex parts were readily available for the Victorian Automatic knitting machines.  The duplex is an arrangement where cylinders of 3.75 inches are interchanged in the standard 4.5 inch diameter machines.  In this fashion, ribbed, seamless socks for babies and children could be knitted quite easily.  Duplex machines came standard with a 42/84, 4.5 inch diameter combination and a 36/72, 3.75 inch diameter combination.        Cymbal Circular Knitting Machine  Manufactured in Newcastle Upon Tyne, the Cymbal sock machine came complete with solid brass accessories and 5 pounds of wool.  A 42 slot ribber dial and 84 slot cylinder accompanied each Cymbal knitting machine.   Victorian Automatic Knitting Machine The influence of regality and sovereignty is readily demonstrated in the Victorian Automatic Knitting machine.  Manufactured in London, England, the base of the Victorian sock machine replicates the contour of the royal crown.  Note the queenlike quality of the yarn mast.  Solid brass ribber dials, cylinder belts and row counters impart a majestic impression.   New Improved Canadian Automatic Knitting Machine A late edition, the New Improved Canadian Automatic sock machine was a novelty item for special customers.  Parts such as tappet plates, yarn carriers and yarn stands were made of solid brass.  Due to cost expenditures, brass sock machines were rarely produced.   American Family Knitting Machine Distributed between1868 -1873 as the "American Family Knitting Machine," this sock machine was based on Dana Bickford's original patents.  The manufacturing firm, Johnson Clark & Co. of Boston, Massachusetts & St. Louis, Missouri, ceased trading in 1873.  Subsequently, their sock machine patterns and rights were sold to J. E. Ford & Co.,of Montreal, Canada. This unique circular sock machine is quite charming and rare in design.  Unlike traditional sock machines, i.e. Gearharts, Auto Knitters, Legares, this sock machine does not utilise cams to lift or lower the needles.  In fact, the needle path is engraved inside the cam shell.  In addition, the gear ring is attached to the 72 slot cylinder.  This sock machine was not designed for use with a ribber and yarn rods, yarn masts and yarn carriers were not part of the original outfit.  Yarn was knitted directly off the bobbins which were seated in the back of the sock machine. Heel tension was obtained by threading the yarn into one or both eyelet holes of the "wire" yarn carrier.  Tension for the cylinder was acquired by manipulating the black screw at the front of the sock machine.  This would lower or raise the needles as they flowed through the needle path.  The golden etchings and green foliage impart a warm appeal.