My CSM (an Imperia), with ribber in work. And you thought the visibility with the flat bed ribber in use was bad!!
| Flatbed knitting machine | Circular Sock Machine | |
| Maximum width of knitting | Maximum amount of needles (x 2 if ribber attached) ie standard machine can knit tube or flat piece on 400 needles | Limited by maximum number of needles in cylinder ie 54, 60, 72, 84 |
| Needle positions (main bed) | A = non-working B = normal working C/D = upper working (patterning) position D/E = hold/partial knitting | Out of work = non-knitting (needle is removed from cylinder/ribber) Normal working Hold/partial knitting (fully up) |
| Needle positions (ribber bed) | A = non-working B = normal working C/D = upper working (patterning) position D/E = hold/partial knitting | Out of work = non-knitting (needle is removed from cylinder/ribber) Normal working Slip lever (whole ribber is slipped, used for circular selvedge, working heel in ribbed sock). No holding position possible |
| Pitch of ribber v main bed | Half or Pitch | Adjustable angle via side lever, so various ribbings can be achieved |
| Needle retention method | Sponge bar (main bed) Sponge bar or plastic bar (ribber bed). Impossible to knit without needle retainer bar in good condition - needles rise (leaf spring inside bed) and jam in carriages | Clasp spring or clamp (cylinder) No retainer (ribber) - weight of knitting keeps ribber needles in position. Possible to knit without clasp spring in place |
| Cast on methods | Various methods - e-wrap, latch tool, weaving, slip, cast on comb or rag | Cast on via setting up tool (set up basket), e-wrap, latch tool, cast on bonnet |
| Cast-off methods | Various methods - latch tool, behind or in front of gatepegs, sewn bind off | Usually stripped from machine on waste yarn and grafted or casted off by hand. Sewn cast off might possibly work? |
| Transfer method between beds | Double-eyed transfer tool or mechanised transfer tool | Hook-to-hook transfer (one needle added as one is removed) |
| Patterning | Pushbutton, punched card or electronic patterning | Completely manual, though could use holding position possibly? |
| Tension (stitch size) | 0 - 10 in gradations of 0.33 (Japanese) or 0.25 (Swiss). Tension "clicks" into place | 1-5 on both cylinder and ribber plate (depends on manufacturer). Tension entirely variable (no "clicks") |
| Row counter | 3 digit mechanical counter | Dial counter (can buy magnetic revolution counter) |
| Yarn take-up tension | Overhead tension mast with spring-loaded take up | Passive overhead mast, heel spring used when partial knitting only |
| Weighting system | Cast on combs, claw weights, ribber combs, ribber weights. Can purchase magnetic "Woolley weights" | Large hooked carrier with cast iron weights, attached via heel fork, set up basket or buckle |
| Unpicking | Can be unpicked easily, stitch by stitch by using a zig-zag motion | Requires hooked tools to rehang previous row; often quicker to start again.Some unpicking possible if weights removed and done with care |
| Latches | Magnets and brushes open the latches - except for intarsia, latches can be left as is | Latches must be open for knitting to happen, no magnets or brushes. A closed latch = a dropped stitch |
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