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Has anyone any information on the Simpleframe knitting machine? I have been lent one and am fascinated by it.
This is a small frame, will sit on your lap. It is very well made. The company details are as follows:- Frame Knitting Ltd, PO Box 115, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 3TJ. Tel 04427-71759. These details are out of date and having found the company name I have discovered that the company closed in 2009. I also have a handwritten letter to Machine Knitting Monthly, a ‘new magazine’, ordering the new magazine along with the Simpleframe supplement containing 2 patterns a month, hints and tips, news and letters. The directors of the company were P J Reilly and S A Reilly. Can anyone shed any light on this subject? I am beginning to feel like a detective!
Your Responses
Hi
I remember some patterns and articles in a series in some old magazines. I can't remember which one and despite trawling through my collection, I can't find them again.
I did some research at the time as I wanted to try out the loom knitting myself and my son made a small wooden loom for me to try but I never persevered and put it away. The patterns were attractive and different to ones achieved with needles.
I did find some looms and patterns for sale on eBay in America and I've Googled and found this site today It's http://frameknitting.com/
Good luck with your new frame knitter. By the way, it can also be called a loom or a rake.
Posted by Heathercoral on 09/25 at 06:00 AM
Loom knitting is becoming very popular here in the USA. I have three big chain-type stores in my area and all of them sell different types of frames. There's one to make hats or round items and even one that's is supposed to make socks.
I used to use a little frame knitting machine called a Knitty Noddy I think it was called. We used to make them as kids out of a wooden thread spool with 4 or 5 little nails. There are all kinds of books available here for the larger frames. Check out the Hobby Lobby, Michaels or AC Moore websites. Also Amazon probably has books on using this type machine as well as pattern books.
I am a very impatient knitter and I feel the frame is just a little faster than hand knitting. I like the zip, zip, zip of my machine to produce two or three inches of fabric - as long as I'm not hand manipulating a fancy pattern.
Good luck.
Ronny
Posted by Ronny on 09/30 at 04:29 PM
Posted by: Ronny
Email:
Loom knitting is becoming very popular here in the USA. My local hobby stores I have 3 big chain type stores in my area all sell different types of frames. There is one to make hats or round items and even one that is supposed to make socks. I used to use a little frame knitting machine called a Knitty Noddy I think it was. We used to make them as kids out of a wooden thread spool and 4 or 5 little nails. There are all kinds of books available here for the larger frames. Check out the Hobby Lobby, Michaels or AC Moore web sites. Also Amazon probably has books on using this type machine as well as pattern books. I am a very impatient knitter and I just feel the frame is just a little faster than hand knitting. I like the ZIP ZIP ZIP of my machine and I have two or three inches of fabric if I'm not hand manipulating a fancy pattern.
Good luck
Ronny
Posted by Anne on 10/05 at 09:07 AM
I am trying to get a hold of a SimpleFrame knitter. I think it is different from loom or frame knitters that others have mentioned. I think it works like a manual machine where you move the needles with your hands instead of a carriage (but I'm not sure. See the link below which gives a picture with explanation.
http://www.knittingmachinemuseum.com/Simpleframe.php#
I would be interested to hear if you figure it out.
Lindawer
Posted by Lindawer on 10/25 at 05:01 PM
Hi,
There is a Simpleframe knitter on eBay UK at the moment, it has about a day to run, there is also a pattern for a lady's jumper.
Hope this may be of some use to someone.
Regards,
Sue.
Posted by Sue P on 12/02 at 04:02 PM
Hi
I just won one of these yesterday at my spinning guild's annual auction day. It seems to be in good working condition, just a bit dirty. I'm looking for an instruction book to help me cast on and off. I thoroughly understand the detective work involved in some of these older pieces. My knitter has a "Pats. Pending" sticker on it and that should help me date it if someone else can find the British patent number. It's nice to know that it's probably 1980s.
Thanks, Susan
Posted by ssommers on 01/22 at 08:46 PM
Hi
I've just won one of these at my spinning guild's annual auction and I'm looking for an instruction manual. It works, but I'd like to clean it up and start a new piece. I need the cast on and off instructions if anyone has them.
My Simpleframe knitter has a patent pending sticker so I went looking for the patents. United States Patent US4542632, Great Britain Patent number: GB2096650A
Publication date: 1982-10-20
Applicant: REILLY PATRICK JAMES
I assume this is the same P J Reilly that owned the Frame Knitting company and it helps me date my knitter to approximately 1983-84. I love finding these older odd pieces! It's fun doing the detective work.
Posted by ssommers on 01/24 at 09:32 PM
I can send you a copy of what came with the one I bought on eBay. I'll get them out tonight after I get home from work.
Linda
Posted by Lindawer on 01/30 at 09:08 AM
I haven't gotten around to scanning these yet. I hope to tomorrow night. Send me an email address if you want me to send a copy. I think I have the instruction book and one pattern book. I have only set it up once so far. I haven't played much with gauge and tension.
Linda.
Posted by Lindawer on 02/13 at 04:41 PM