I caught up with Shelly Hatton at Maker Faire Austin, where she was demonstrating antique circular sock knitting machines!

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Circular sock machines have been around since the early 1900′s and were built so sturdily that they still survive and work to this day. The machines were originally advertised as a way for homemakers to make money at home by cranking out socks, but the learning curve was really high. Currently, there are a number of enthusiasts around the globe who help each other figure out how to use these really nifty antique machines.

Shelly got interested in these machines when she heard a friend had knitted a pair of sock in two hours!