I have been busy the past week or so. I am giving away 4 or 5 knitting machines, 2 ribbers, one for each of two machines, and some accessories July 10. They were my aunt's. I have been going through everything to get ready to give them away.

There was one machine and ribber that one of her kids really wanted me to have, so I am swapping that out for the same size of that one that I have. Mine does not have a ribber, so I added my machine to the pile I am giving away, and a couple other machines that found their way here.

My cousin, the youngest son was taking care of emptying the house, I told him that I would take care of the others for him, if that would help. He said I could keep them, sell them, give them away, whatever.

My aunt kept extremely good care of them. They are immaculate. I think she had them professionally cleaned and packed when she could no longer do it. I didn't know she did machine knitting. Hadn't seen her since I was a kid. She painted at that time. I am just learning to machine knit.

Anyway, my cousin, and his brother (obviously, also a cousin), brought them to my house this past September. I hadn't seen them since we were kids, either. It was great.

The machines were taking up my house space. I am talking about three 30-40 pound large flatbed knitting machines, not the small plastic circular ones, 2 also have large flatbed ribber attachments. Then there are boxes of accessories. We downsized 17 years ago, really do not have the room, but helping my cousins out. I did not want to just give them to anyone willy nilly, so I have had them since them, sitting in the hallway, and under the bed, and in my card making room.

I am in a machine knitting forum and hooked up with someone who is within a day's drive from me. We were PM'ing. She mentioned something quite a while ago about looking for a machine.

I asked her about it last week. I have what she is looking for, plus, she was wanting to buy it all. I told her she could have it all. I just want them to go where they will be cared for and used, like my aunt did. She said her granddaughter is getting interested, and would be able to use one, and she is starting a machine knitting guild for her area. Having a couple there would be great. I told her it was all hers, I don't want anything for it. She is driving out our way in July and we are meeting up part way. It is very exciting, strangely enough, for me.

I am so pleased they will be used. Since this all started, the person getting the machines has learned of two other machine knitters in her area, so the guild is off to a good start.

It is also such a weight off of my shoulders. I wanted to do good by my aunt and cousins. They are pleased.

Now, I can get back to my normal hobbies with no stress about wanting to get the machines to a good home. I have been playing my cello, viola and violin, but not with as much enthusiasm. I was constantly wondering who I was going to give these to. I know of no one around me who machine knits and I was not going to risk shipping, the shipping expense would have been really high, and there is a risk. They weigh 30-40 pounds each.

It feels good they are going to a good home in around a month.

Note the sigh of relief!?

🐭