GET ONE ON ONE HELP!
I OFFER FREE VIDEO CHAT HELP FOR ALL CSMS!
Have a Circular Sock Machine but not using the Ribber and want to?
Via video chat, I’ve helped numerous machine owners with all sorts of CSMs from newly fabricated models to machines your grandparents may have used. I offer this service for free during the time I’m not working. I request you to be familiar with using your machine (can cast on, know how to add/remove needles etc) and follow each clear step as requested (don’t rush ahead). To time your ribber have a bright area and nail polish. ;)
LONG DISTANCE HELP: Hand in hand with this website, I continue to offer free assistance either via Facebook Messenger, zoom or SKYPe
Video help? Schedule something that works for both of us and we can discuss what’s actually applicable to your CSM trouble.
Click this schedule link: https://calendly.com/csmlove
PLEASE NOTE: Once you schedule what works for you I ask that you send me an email - without delay - (even if you answered some of the questions) to indicate in detail what you’ve tried and what you seek help with (even if its something ‘simple’). If I email and ask questions please respond ASAP. Failure to do this may result in my cancelling the free booking.
I prefer Facebook Messenger as it offers unlimited video chat however if this doesn’t work for you please indicate in your email I’m asking you to send after scheduling your help.
If Facebook Messenger DOES WORK FOR YOU PLEASE FRIEND ME ASAP SO WE CAN VIDEO CHAT (and I can ask you questions ahead of time as needed). This can just be until we chat. I am not seeking to add to my Facebook contacts just make permissions easier for now.
If Facebook isn’t your thing there is also Zoom or Skype. Please ensure you have an account for the platform chosen and have tested your setup ahead of time.
! WHAT INFO SHOULD YOU SEND IN YOUR EMAIL? !
Please send me an email to karenramel @ yahoo.com
1) what machine (cylinder/ribber dial if applicable)
2) what one issue you’re experiencing or need help with
3) what you’ve tried
4) is your cylinder marked (need help with that?)
NOTE: If you’re experiencing a TENSION issue please ensure you are using LIGHT FINGERING sock weight fiber that has been prepared on a cone (this solves many issues).
Please ensure you have a bright area on your end to do our video chat. :)
IF YOU DO NOT EMAIL ME AFTER SCHEDULING HELP I MAY HAVE TO CANCEL THE SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT.
Also my work schedule comes ahead of all free appointments so if I cannot make the scheduled event I will let you know ahead of time. Thank you.
NOT READY FOR HELP VIA VIDEO CHAT?
Not ready for free useful help now? Please consider through my CSM Start pages (pages 1, 2, 3 and 4). My first recommendation for new users is to watch one of the two very detailed video’s I’ve created to get you started with your machine and so you have a familiarity with its parts etc.
I’ve helped SOOOOO MANY PEOPLE - and feel its best to PAY IT FORWARD (I’ll help you for free if you help someone else some other time). See the many pages of thanks I’ve been given under the menu ABOUT KAREN - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 -
I feel the learning isn’t as steep or hard in my opinion if you learn to walk before you run. If you take the time to understand the machine and it’s parts and how they interact. If you don’t expect to make a perfect sock the moment you first sit down at your machine. Break it down into knowledge nuggets and just do it. Don’t give yourself an excuse why you can’t start Learning now. Set your machine up somewhere where you will go back to it often - versus packing it away to get to at some later time. I dedicated my website and free time to help others at no cost. I’ve helped a ton of people. Communicate with me let’s get you started. You can do this!
See my THANK YOU pageS for others i’ve helped
Just want a quick blurb help? Email me and/or message on Facebook.
GET CSM HELP!
VISITS AND STAY OVERS ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DUE TO CORONA VIRUS
IN-PERSON HELP: My boyfriend and I offer you the option to come stay one or two nights over the weekend with us in our two bedroom apartment here in Vancouver, BC Canada.
We have a certified comfortable double bed pull out couch. (According to my future potential in-laws)
*Free lodging ONLY* (arranged in advance) - you are responsible for your own meals and transportation.
We have two indoor cats and do not smoke. I work close to full time.
I appreciate that you might find the CSM daunting, however in order to provide my free help I expect you to have viewed a manual for your machine (ask if you need help with that), that you’ve made an effort to identify its parts, that you’ve gone onto YouTube and watched some videos then attempted to use your machine prior to asking for help. After all no one learned to tie their laces the first time they tried. You CAN DO IT! Try that first then contact me :)
need help locating a manual? most can be found online for free, or can be purchased from Pat Fly of angoravalley.com
For more info see this page.
**PLEASE NOTE It is strongly recommended to never just crank when machine isn’t threaded as its too easy to accidentally hit and bend/break cylinder needles (which might not be apparent until attempting to use and encountering issues).
What other kind of HELP can you get?
attend a gathering of CSM people (often referred to as a ‘Crank-In). What to bring?
watch and follow along with YouTube videos - make notes!
join any of the many CSM free Facebook groups
obtain a manual for your machine and learn the name for the parts
read project notes on MY SCRAPBOOK page which has project photos linked to their Ravelry. My Ravelry
How do I connect with others in my area?
This was a problem I had personally when I first started with my machine. Here’s what I recommend:
sign up for a 3-year Sock Knitting Machine Society membership - CSKMS
add yourself (to also then get access to others) listed in the FREE International CSM Directory
join a few of the Facebook CSM groups (see those I follow) and note where members are posting from.
attend a CSM event and network :) See CSKMS Events or this events page.
I’ve registered for a csm event. What do I bring? See here.
Please always consider emailing the event host to ask questions.