Empisal Instant Knitting Machine

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This web page and all contents (scans, text, etc.) are Copyright © 2008 by Linda Victorek/GoodiesList. Only for personal use.

 

On May 16, 2008  (a day I may come to rue), I bought an Empisal Instant knitting machine at a charity shop even though it didn't have a manual.  Pretty Dumb Move... since I'm no expert with knitting machines.

Based on some of the research I've done this may function like a Knitomat 1950s machine.  The needles are stationary & there are L-shaped "grabbers" or "pushers" that move the yarn & create the stitches.  It seems, that after working a row, the stitches have to be manually pushed towards the bed & over the latches. If I'm wrong about this.....please feel free to correct me.  Pretty please?

Anyway, no pictures of the machine because I don't have a decent camera.  I was able to scan some of the "what is this, anyway" objects that came with the machine for your viewing pleasure.  If you have any ideas what are they & how they are used, just let me know & I will dub thee "The KM Goddess".   <or God...yes, I do know there are guys with these toys, too..)

 

GotMe #1.  This metal thing is about 3.75" long & just over an inch wide. Only one of them.

 

GotMe #2.  The narrow rod is about 21" long & has a hook on the end that holds a thicker 3" long metal rod that can be spun like a propeller. This might offer some amusement value but there must be more to it, right?

 

>! 2 Identified GotMes !<

GotMe #3.  Bright & shiny & flat &  3/4" wide with points on both ends -- this is 20" long.  

GotMe #5.  Two of these in what was a sealed bag.  I thought these were meant to hold the bed onto a table.

And the answer is:

from Anne in Dorset England:  Items 3 and 5 go together, they are a hem/ mock rib stretching kit. The bar goes through the hem and then the two clips fit over the edge of the ironing board, table, or whatever, and hold the bar as the hem is streamed, ironed or damped and allowed to dry.

 

GotMe #4.  This must be a yarn tension device.  But since the machine is apparently an intarsia-style machine (meaning, the yarn is laid over the needles at the start of each row) what is it doing here?  Also, there is no place to attach it to the machine. Don't even want to think how it is threaded.  I drew the ugly yellow arrows to highlight the 3 coils the yarn would pass through.  

 

GotMe #6.  Only one. Can't see how this could possibly attach anywhere.  The notched wheel spins & is attached to a 3/4" wide metal ring. 

 

GotMe #7.  For sheer intrigue, you just can't beat this one especially since I don't have a camera & had to try to draw the darn thing.  This gizmo attaches to the carriage & must be meant to carry the yarn.  

There are two wires shown in pink on the "foot" and a sort of pointed metal cape on the back (I didn't even try to draw this piece). 

The sewing machine foot like piece in the center is attached with springs (shown in pink) to the bottom of the plate & can be rotated to point to the left or to the right. If

 

If you want to see something scary click on this line to see the best picture I can get of the carriage with my camera.

 

GotMe #8.  Actually, I know this is a yarn winder.  The Got-Me is how does it work.  I found directions for something similar on the net but couldn't make the required leap of faith to connect the info for that brand to this.  BTW, the link to the site with the directions for a similar "Cone Winder" is http://susyranner.blogspot.com/2007/01/instruction-manuals.html

A.  An easy one.  This is the crank that rotates drum D. The drum then causes cone E to rotate.

B.  This metal piece houses a spring that is connected to the base of cone E.  I assume that as cone E fills with yarn the spring allows it to move away from drum D.

C.  Another easy one.  A twisted wire to thread the yarn through.

D.  The drum has deep grooves in it & a sort of pebbly texture.

E.  This cone must be for yarn take up.  It has 2 notches at the top blue area where I expect the yarn should placed.

Scary photo #2.  Click to see what my camera can do with this gadget.  <Click here>

...And the Answers Are....

from Anne in Dorset England:  The yarn goes through the eyelet then in between the movable cylinder with the cutouts and the cone you put onto the rotating cylinder. The cone rotates anticlockwise and the yarn is wound onto it as you rotate the winder handle clockwise. The yarn goes through the eyelet then in between the movable cylinder with the cutouts and the cone you put onto the rotating cylinder. The cone rotates anticlockwise and the yarn is wound onto it as you rotate the winder handle clockwise.

from Grace in Florida:  It should also have some cone like pieces that actually receive the yarn so that you can take them to the machine. Hope this helps.

 

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