Wonderful Knitting Machine
The Wonderful Knitting Machine
A video documentary presentation by the
Fremont Cultural Arts Council
and
The Fremont Film Forum
World Premier
Sunday, January 17th at the
Transcontinental Connection
Niles Essanay
Watch the video!
It’s posted on YouTube in 2 parts.
Part I (scroll down for Part II)
Part II
Circular stocking knitting machines were developed shortly following the invention of other labor saving mechanical devices, such as the sewing machine. These ingenious machines were produced in a number of versions by several manufacturers by the late 1800's. Because stockings were so important to the health of troops fighting in the sodden trenches of France during World Ware One (1914-1918), the International Red Cross asked each of their divisions to provide knitted goods for the war effort, and offered circular sock knitting machines to those who would commit to making a minimum of 30 pairs of stockings for the troops. Lisa Stambaugh, a Fremont resident and outstanding local crafts person, acquired one of the original machines, assembled it, and is successfully using it.
Al Minard of the Washington Township Historical Society heard about this fascinating bit of Americana, and asked Lisa to demonstrate the machine at Art in the Park, held each May on the grounds of the Shinn House in Fremont. It was determined that the machine was too heavy and at the same time too fragile to move. Margaret Thornberry, President of the Fremont Cultural Arts Council felt that a good video presentation about the machine might be a worthwhile project, and enlisted Rasec Ozal and Cony Manriquez of the Fremont Film Forum to produce a short video documentary about the history, use and operation of the circular sock knitter. This interesting video, featuring Lisa Stambaugh demonstrating the machine and Carol Pike making yarn from the wool of Ardenwood Farms sheep, will be shown to the public for the first time during the Transcontinental Connection event, Sunday January 17th 4PM to 6PM, at the historic Essanay Theater (Niles District of Fremont) 37417 Niles Blvd. Admission to the event is free. A voluntary $5 donation benefiting the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum would be appreciated.
Thanks to Mr. Paul Welschmeyer, local architect and sponsor of the Transcontinental Connection, for his encouragement and support for this showing! If you are interested in showing the video at your event, contact Margaret Thornberry at FCAC@linkville.com or 510-928-8404.