Two Types of Sock Machine – Which is Right For You?

It’s a long involved process but worth the effort to have your sock machine mimic one of your favorite fashion designers. This is especially true if you’re into high-end fashion. So many designers of today take their influence from European and Japanese fashions. If you’re into high-end fashion, why not make it your own?

There are two basic types of sock machines, either self contained or mounted to a shaft such as a traditional “bow tie” sewing machine. The first type mounts to the work surface with a cylindrical plate and needle housing. This type of reproduction is most closely related to the “Bowling Ball Sock Machine” an antique produced by early American Bowtronic Company inkers, New York. Please contact me if you’re interested in having your own bowling ball sock machine appear like one of the originals.

Self contained machines run a combination of needle and cylinder that allows it to mount itself on the work surface with or without a rack. There are advantages to this method such as reduced noise level, ease of changing needles and the ability to mount it anywhere. The disadvantage to this is the large amount of time it takes to complete one job. The “Tall Grinder” manufactured by Dressage Equipment Co. is the only self contained machine I know of that has a fully variable speed dial. This type of machine is perfect for the person who likes to do multiple projects at once.