Circular Knitting Machines

Circular Knitting Machines are knitting machines that arrange needles in a circular cylinder (and optionally a circular dial) to produce a seamless, tubular fabric. These range from hand-cranked domestic sock machines to massive, automated industrial units.

Types of Circular Machines

1. Hand-Cranked Sock Machines (CSM)

Commonly referred to as CSMs, these are small, gear-driven circular machines operated manually by turning a hand crank.

• Design: Feature a vertical needle cylinder, and can be fitted with a ribber dial for ribbing stitches.
• Use: Primarily used by hobbyists to produce socks, tubes, and leg warmers.
• Example Models: Erlbacher (Gearhart clone).

2. Plastic Toy / Hobby Machines

Inexpensive, hand-cranked plastic machines popular for quick accessories:

• Design: Feature static plastic pegs with sliding latch needles.
• Use: Used to knit hats, tubes, and panels quickly.
• Example Models: Addi Express, Sentro 48.

3. Industrial Circular Machines

High-speed, multi-feed automated machines used in mass textile manufacturing:

• Design: Feature dozens or hundreds of yarn feeds (feeds) feeding yarn simultaneously into a rotating needle cylinder.
• Use: Used to produce t-shirt fabric (single jersey), rib knitwear, fleece, and seamless underwear.
• Example Manufacturers: Mayer & Cie., Monarch, Santoni (famous for seamless body-size garments), Fukuhara.