About CSKMS
Who We Are
CSKMS membership includes 500 plus people from about 12 countries. Our activities seek to aid in the education of members and the public about the history and use of CSMs through shared teaching experiences and demonstrations at various fiber arts shows and festivals, through publications such as our newsletter, and at crank-ins planned by the members.
We maintain this website to provide information for CSM users and the general public, and to make information and records for the membership of the Society accessible to all members. Through our social media venues, primarily Facebook and Ravelry, we also provide a forum for communication among the membership.
To foster learning opportunities to the greatest number of members, one of our newest initiatives is to support and encourage the organization of regional conferences and crank-ins. To help crankers grow and learn our craft, we also have three Skills Certification Programs.
“Whether you have a new or vintage CSM or are still looking for one, we welcome all with an interest in these fascinating machines. We invite you to become a member of CSKMS, and to join us at Cranking Central – Resources for the CRM Community.”
Our History
2013
After the Circular Sock Machine Society of America (CSMSA) disbanded, Fred Hauck, a founding member, invited sock machine owners to join a new society — the “New Sock Machine Society of America” (NSMSA). A website was established, bylaws proposed, and individuals were invited to join.
2013
At the CSM Eastern Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia, 16 of 40 registered members provided a quorum. Bylaws were approved, officers elected, and a board of directors named. A Ravelry discussion group was established and membership grew.
2014
Members voted to rename the society. A contest produced the name Circular Sock Knitting Machine Society (CSKMS). The first CSKMS conference was held in Geneseo, New York, with 44 members attending. By year’s end, over 130 members had registered.
2015
CSKMS hosted its conference in Denver, Colorado, with attendance of over 50 members.
2016
The conference moved to Henryville, Indiana, at the Wooded Glen Retreat Center, with about 40 members attending.
2017
The University of Massachusetts campus in Amherst hosted the conference with 60 members in attendance. The Board noted nearly 50 local and regional crank-ins that year and decided to redirect resources toward broader educational goals.
Today
The Board continues to apply the goals embedded in the society’s bylaws while reaching out to members for suggestions that will promote growth and stability in the years ahead.