8 Gauge Santagostino

          Here is a simple posting of my new (to me) Santagostino. It is a sister machine to my 10 gauge machine which I acquired 4 months ago. I am still learning how to maximize all of the possibilities of these machines, and realized shortly after acquiring the 10 gauge that its strength lay in ultra fine yarns (such as cobweb weight 2/48nm silks and cashmeres). The 8 gauge seems much more appropriate for a sock weight yarn (or 2/18nm) and I imagine myself making practical but pretty cardigans on it. I find this machine utterly charming despite its still quite dirty state from sitting in a crate (travelling on ship from Scotland). Its dials and cams show wear and tear from a lifetime of use. I find imagining the old mills these machines came from quite inspiring.

           About ten years ago I invested in a Husqvarna embroidery sewing machine with all sorts of computerized design software. I can't explain how frustrating the design interface was. It was a costly lesson in understanding the value of qualitative experience and certainly in realizing how analog equipment can trump emerging technology. As a textile person who has experimented with almost every conceivable process I find this interface of dials and switches suits how my brain works. I'm at about five machines now, all used and at least forty years old. In fact, my Dubied a machine from the 1930's is still my favourite.....I find it simply wonderful.