I'm Susan, and I fix knitting machines.
That's the short version. The longer version is that I run a one-person repair shop in San Diego, specializing in the vintage machines that are still beloved by knitters, but few repair people know how to service them — the Brothers, Silver Reeds, Toyotas, and Knit Kings from the 1970s through 1990s. These machines were built to outlast us. They just need someone who knows how to take care of them.
I got into this because I love working with my hands and solving mechanical problems. Every machine that comes through my shop is different — different history, different wear patterns, different quirks. I take them apart, clean every part, check every needle, replace what needs replacing, and send them home with a detailed Report Card so you know exactly what I found and what I did.
Finding a knitting machine mechanic in California is challenging - I'm one of the few who advertise publicly, which means people come to me from all over the state and beyond. I work by appointment at two San Diego locations (Escondido and Clairemont), and I also offer Zoom troubleshooting sessions for knitters who aren't local but want help diagnosing a problem.
My approach is simple: honest assessments, transparent pricing, and no surprises. I'll tell you what your machine needs and whether the repair is worth it. I don't upsell, I don't pad hours, and if something isn't broken, I won't pretend it is.
The current waitlist is 4-6 weeks, but knitters tell me it's worth the wait for careful, quality work.
Every machine I service gets a test run before it leaves. These days, I knit a hat — a 7-minute beanie pattern. Karalyn taught me to knit and was a huge supporter of the Repair Shop. She is greatly missed. With each hat I knit, I remember her, and each hat is donated in her honor.