Using setup bonnet on circular sock machine (CSM)

The way I start to make a sock on my circular sock machine (CSM) is using a setup bonnet. The bonnet is a tube of knitting with loops on one end. The loops are placed over the cylinder needles, so there is something to knit from. The setup bonnet should have loops that number half or more the number of needles in the cylinder. I've tried to show the process through these pictures.

With the yarn carrier on the right ride, slip the setup bonnet inside the cylinder with the loops on the bonnet facing up. I am using a 72 loop bonnet on a CSM set up with a 54 slot cylinder.

Starting with the needles just ahead of the yarn carrier, slip a loop over one needle, then a loop over the next needle. Skip a needle. Slip a loop over the next needle following the skipped needle, then a loop over the next needle. There should be two needles in a row each with a loop, then a needle without a loop, then repeat, as pictured.

When you get approximately 3/4 of the way around putting on the loops, thread waste yarn through the yarn mast and the yarn carrier, leaving 6" or so hanging down inside the setup bonnet. Make certain all the latches on the needles are open. Reach up under the CSM and hold down on the setup bonnet so the stitches don't ride up and off the needles. Crank the machine about 1/4 of the way around the cylinder.


Put the remaining loops on the needles. Crank around. If a needle doesn't knit, use a crochet hook or similar tool to pick up the horizontal piece of yarn that is below the needle and put it on the needle.
Check to be sure there is a stitch on every needle, however, one doesn't knit just pick the stitch up again. This applies to the waste yarn. It is a bit more complicated when you are actually knitting a sock.

Crank around for several rows. I usually do about approximately 8 rows, stopping with the yarn carrier on the right side of the CSM. Cut the waste yarn 8-10 inches from the yarn carrier. Pull the waste yarn our of the yarn carrier and let it hang down into the center of the machine. Thread the machine with sock yarn, pulling an end down into the center of the machine like you did when you started the waste yarn. Overlap the sock yarn on the needles so it will knit along with the waste yarn on two needles. Knit according to the directions for your sock pattern. I have just knit several rows so you can see how it looks.


Note: if you were using a 72 slot cylinder and this setup bonnet with 36 loops, you would put a loop on every other needle.

Happy cranking!