Newsletter: Member Bio Section

Regina Potts

Port Orange, FL

Started cranking: February 2021

How did you learn about CSMs? Was fascinated watching YouTube videos…had long been a flatbed maching knitter and hand knitter.

How did you learn to crank? By using the Erlbacher manual, Sock TV, and numerous YouTube videos. I always had the mind set that mistakes were learning opportunities and in the beginning I would correct almost every mistake I made (frequently!) even if it took hours and even if I had planned to ravel the project anyway.

Ribber preference: Equal slot

What do you like most? The history, the mesmerizing mechanics, and the absolutely “better than commercial” socks that can be produced.

Favorite item to make: New favorite is a tall 1×1 ribbed cuff sock with a stockinette pre-heel and foot sole with 3×1 ribbing on foot instep.

Favorite yarn: Standard wool with nylon and I love a bargain!

Cranking advice: Think a row or two ahead when doing heels/toes and placing the ribber on, and watch those latches!

Can you knit with sticks? Yes

Pet peeve: Folks in our extended cranking family that loudly believe there is only one right way to do a sock thing!

Turn-ons: The rhythmic clicking, needle rise/fall, hook open/close, and crank handle turning (and of course the better than commercial socks we can make!).

Been to a crank-in? No

What else should we know about you? I started humbly last year and made exclusively no-show/heel-tab socks for myself and many, many of my friends. I have recently straightened the ribber learning curve enough that I am LOVING making ribbed socks. My highest aspiration at this time is making a glorious pair of argyle color work socks (someday). When I am not cranking (current favorite obsession) I also love to hand knit/crochet, sew/quilt, weave, spin, and I have several flatbed knitting machines that are all in the bottom of their own splendid rabbit holes! I fund my fiber hobbies by working as a P.T. in the school system in Volusia County…I receive a greater blessing from the special needs kiddos than they do from me!