GB2077305A - Toy knitting and sewing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy device for making knitted yarn circles for use in larger yarn circle composites comprising a supporting base with a pivotally mounted head, a rotary ratchet table supporting a knitting disc (110), guide elements provided for feeding yarn (15) to a position adjacent the ratchet table, a yarn engaging member for pushing a portion of yarn inwardly of a hoop (140) on the ratchet table, and ramp cam structure (122, 124) for diverting the yarn engaging member with the formed yarn loop therewith through the center hoop, an additional yarn engaging member (460) for securing by a hook (464) the loop on one of a plurality of L-shaped pins (111) on the knitting disc, the pivotally mounted head having a reciprocating and rotary needle (61) manually operated for effecting a lock stitch operation with additional yarn through the secured loops on the knitting disc (110), and a yarn loop spacer ring (60) having projections thereon for keeping the secured loops separated and open during the lock stitch operation of the device. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Yarn circle forming device The present invention relates to a toy knitting and sewing device wherein a support base/housing has a rotating, ratchet table for holding a center hoop on a supporting knitting disc thereon for producing the desired yarn circles. An operator turned external knob actuates mechanism mounted inside of the support base/housing and effects a step-by-step turning of the ratchet table. Appropriate yarn guides and actuating mechanism are provided on the top of the support base/housing. Pivotally mounted upon a stepped portion of the support base/housing is a sewing head. This head provides for adding of additional yarn to a first circular intermediate yarn circle product as produced by the knitting disc portion of the device by a yarn lock stitch type sewing operation.Another operator actuated knob is provided on the sewing head which effects an up and down as well as reciprocating movement of a sewing needle supported by the head. By use of the sewing head, additional yarn is lock stitched into the intermediate yarn product in order to form the final completed product which is an attractive circle of yarn resembling an article made by crocheting.

After completion Uf a plurality of these final yarn circle products, they may be assembled together to form a larger composite article, such as beanies, scull caps, scarves, shawls, and any type of device to be worn or displayed wherein a plurality of circular shaped structures can be attached together by tying or sewing.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the support base/housing with the sewing head in closed position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support base with the sewing head in open position; Figure 3 is a plan view of the operating mechanisms as mounted in the lower base/housing and as assembled in working relationship; Figure 4 is an inside view of the top portion of the support base turned upside down showing slide block guide rails for the internal operating slide mechanism; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the actuating mechanism for the respective yarn knitting members for forming the intermediate yarn circle product; Figure 6 is an exploded view of the internal operating mechanism for the knitting disc supporting ratchet table;; Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of the knitting disc with partially formed intermediate yarn circle in Figure 7 and a completely formed finished yarn circle product in Figure 8; Figure 9 is a view of the end product yarn circle per se after removal from the knitting disc; Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the knitting (crocheting) operation including the center hoop and the moveable yarn engaging hook arm member; Figures 11-15 are perspective views showing the various steps of the knitting yarn engaging members, yarn, and center hoop as the knitting or crocheting steps take place; Figures 1 6 and 1 7 are plan views showing the same elements as in Figures 11-1 5 in various positions thereof;; Figure 1 8 is an exploded perspective view of the center cylinder with ramp cam, the ratchet table, the intermediate yarn circle product loop separating ring, the knitting disc, and the center hoop; Figure 1 9 is a perspective view of the reciprocating and rotating yarn needle with hook eye for performing the lock stitch sewing process for completion of the yarn circle product; Figure 20 is an elevational view partly in crosssection, showing the elements of Figure 1 9 during the steps of lock stitching the yarn being added to the intermediate yarn circle product in order to form the final completed yarn circle product; Figure 21 is a schematic view of the lock stitch per se;; Figures 22 through 25 show in each upper portion A of the respective figures the various positions of the moveable cam follower relative to the direction controlling disc cam corresponding to the various steps of the lock stitch sewing process as shown in the lower portion B of the respective figures; Figure 26 shows schematically how a plurality of completed yarn circle products may be assembled into a larger composite product; and Figure 27 shows a number of auxiliary components for use with the toy of this invention.

The toy knitting and crocheting device of the present invention is best seen overall in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. As indicated in these figures, a support base/housing 10 is provided comprising a lower relatively box-like container 11 for holding the operating mechanisms for the knitting process operation therewithin and an upper cover portion 12 having a higher stepped rear portion 1 4. The stepped rear portion 1 4 pivotally supports by axle 420 on operating head 20 which contains the mechanism for effecting the lock stitch sewing process of the device. As seen in Figure 1, an operating knob 40 mounted on top of the upper cover 12 is provided for manual operation by a user of the device for the purpose of turning the internal mechanism for rotating the knitting disc supporting ratchet table 90.Yarn 1 5 is supplied from a spool 1 6 which in turn is rotatably supported upon pin 1 7 mounted on the upper rear cover portion 1 4. The yarn 1 5 is led through a stationary guide 55 and a reciprocating guide 37 to the guide 46 and held by clamp portion 246, ready for the knitting process as described in detail below. An opening 18 in the upper cover 1 2 permits the ratchet table 90 to be exposed while the knitting disc 110 which is provided with yarn loop retention L's 111 is suitably retained on ratchet table 90 by drive lugs 91 engaging in the recesses 112 of disc 110.

Pivotally mounted retention bars 58 are used to retain the knitting disc 110 upon the ratchet table 90.

A recess 118 extending from the circular opening 18 permits access to a reciprocal actuating block 79 having a flat top portion 76, a guide hook 82, a slot 179, a needle receiving aperture 80, and another guide 182 provided therewith.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ratchet table has projecting from the center thereof a cylinder 120 having an upright tapered ramp cam thereon.

A vertical leading edge 122 and a slanting trailing edge 124 are provided on this ramp cam. This ramp cam is used to deflect upwardly the yarn pusher end during the initial knitting process. Yarn guide pins 109 are mounted on the upper cover portion as well as apertures 115 and 121.

Apertures 115 and 121 permit colored indicators included on the operating mechanism within the case to be seen when the operating mechanism is in certain desired positions. These are an aid to the operator of the device for correctly using same.

When the yarn 15 feeds through guide 55 and then passes over reciprocating guide 37 it extends to a stationary guide 46 so as to be held in proper position for engagement by the yarn pusher 1 50 during the initial knitting process. A pivotally mounted hold down member 56 on an axis 57 is provided to cooperate with the knitting disc and center hoop 140. A pin 67 is slidably supported in a suitable aperture in the stepped rear portion 14 for engagement by a projection 62 on the pivotally mounted head 20 and functions together with slide mechanism inside the support base/housing 10 to effect certain operations therewithin when the head 20 is moved to the closed position. A flexible hold down tab 107 functions in conjunction with the needle 61 for the sewing and stitching operation. Moveably operated knob 86 effects movement of the head needle 61.Also, with the head closed, a lever 87 extending from the internal mechanism of the operating head down through slot opening 187 in the head goes into the opening 287 at the rear of the ratchet table for engagement with the ratchet cams 92 of the ratchet table to effect step-by-step rotation of the table during the lock stitch sewing process. An interlock tab 63 in cooperation with catch 65 retains the head in the closed position until released therefrom by a user of the device.

Another catch 1 56 releasably retains hold down 56 in working relationship with the yarn pusher 1 50 during the initial knitting process. Note: When the hold down 56 is in proper position to function (Fig. 10), the head 20 cannot be closed.

When a red indicator can be seen through aperture 121 and a blue indicator can be seen through aperture 11 5 indicating proper alignment of the internal operating mechanism, then the head 20 may be closed. When the head is closed, projection 62 on the head depresses pin 67 which simultaneously causes the internal mechanism to lower the ratchet table supporting structure in addition to moving the reciprocating block 79 with top portion 76 in the direction indicated by the arrow X of Figure 1 i.e., rearwardly toward the yarn supply.

Looking at Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, the mechanism for performing the knitting (crocheting) process in order to form the intermediate yarn circle product will be described.

The ratchet table 90 (Figure 6) is provided around its circumference with alternating ratchet steps 92 and notches 93, as well as the knitting disc alignment and driving lugs 91. These lugs 91 cooperate with the recesses 112 in the knitting disc 110 in order to assure positive rotation of the knitting disc along with the ratchet table.

Additional recesses 212 complement and receive ridges 260 on the projection 1 60 of the loop separator and spacer ring 60 (Figure 18). Vertical pins 130 surround aperture 190 for holding a knitting hoop 140 in recesses 133 at the tips of the pins. The ramp cam support cylinder 120 extends from container 11 and projects upwardly through the central aperture 1 90 of the ratchet table for engagement by the pivotal end 1 52 of the yarn pusher 1 50.

Looking at Figure 5, the operation of the lower container mechanism will be described. The hand knob 40 rotates shaft 42 through a one-half turn slip clutch 240 and projections 242 within the knob. Shaft 42 has pinned thereto a gear 24 for turning gear 25, which in turn rotates shaft 125 and gear 26. Gear 26 mates with the crown gear 27 integral with rotating disc 28. Disc 28 has a projection pin 40 and drum cam 34 integral therewith. The projection pin 40 hits against the inner side of the arm 137 for reciprocating guide 37 to move it against the bias of spring 237. Cam face 134 of drum cam 34 engages with face 135 at one end of pivotally mounted lever 35. Lever 35 pivots about axis 235 and at the other end thereof has a slot 335 for slidable engagement with the knitting hook arm 460. Arm 460 is mounted on the reciprocating plate 21.A slot 121 in plate 21 effects movement thereof by means of the drive pin 119 on rotating gear 19. Gear teeth 328 integral with gear 1 9 provides the drive therefor from teeth 128 on disc 28. Another gear 1 8 is rotated in conjunction with gear 1 9 through complementing teeth on both, and in turn has a drive pin 11 8 for moving the plate 20 by engagement with the slot 1 20 therein. Note: the iimiting recess 518 on gear 18 and the complementary projection 519 on gear 19. Guide blocks 220 and 221 move in channels 233 and 333 respectively inside of the cover 12 (Figure 4) of the device as assembled and thus retain the respective slide plates 20 and 21 in proper position relative to drive pins 11 8 and 11 9. Plate 20 also has an indicator 120, preferably red thereon, for viewing through the aperture 121 in the upper cover stepped rear portion 14. The plate 20 supports and slidably moves the knitting yarn push member 150 and the plate 21 supports and moves the yarn hook arm 460 having the hook 464 on the end thereof. Yarn push member 1 50 is provided with a pivot axis 1 70 for the yarn engaging end 1 52 and is designed to pivot upwardly from the normal horizontal plane as indicated by the arrow P in Figures 5 and 6.A notch 1 58 in this yarn push member end engages with the yarn 1 5 as the yarn end is held by guide 46 and clamp 146. Respective guide channels 138 and 238 are suitably arranged in block 38 for slidably supporting and guiding yarn engaging members 150, 160. A slide member 47 has an elongated slot 50. A stud 1 47 guidingly fits through slot 50 and a cap screw 247 holds the slide member 47 in place thereon. Spring 48 biases the slide normally towards the right of double arrow A. Integral with slide member 47 is a block 19 supporting a stud 135, a pivot lever 51 mounted on stud 135, and limit pin 53. The purpose of lever 51 is to effect the step-by-step rotation of ratchet table 90 during the initial knitting process.Each time slide 47 is moved to the left (arrow A in Figure 5) the near end of lever 51 will be moved into engagement with the perpendicular edge of a ratchet step 92, which will cause rotation of ratchet table 90. Then when slide 47 moves to the right because of spring 48, the end of pivot lever 51 will ride up over the sloped edge of the ratchet step 92, and allow the slide 47 to return to the rightmost position thereof. A latch 1 85 on the end of resilient arm 85 (Figure 6) engages in the respective notches 93 of ratchet table 90 to releasably latch same in each desired position.

Also shown in Figure 5 is the indicator 112 having different colors 113 and 114 (red and blue, for example) provided thereon for visual observance through the cover aperture 11 5. The indicator 112 is pivotally mounted on a stud 11 6 integral with container 11 and is biased by spring 118 against end face 119 of the block 19 on slide 47. A depending flange 11 7 engages end face 119 to maintain one indicator color normally in viewing position, and then when slide plate 47 moves to the left end face 11 9 moves away from flange 117, and then spring 118 causes indicator 112 to also move to the left and thus display the other color of the indicator.When both indicators show red, for example, then the mechanism is orientated so that the hoop 1 40 and knitting disc 110 can be installed on the ratchet table 90. Also, the starting yarn can be properly fed to guide 46 and clamp 146. Then the knitting process can be begun.

Looking again at Figure 6, the rails 73 which support the reciprocating slide 71 thereupon can be seen. The slide is held in place on the rails 73 by the plate 83 as attached by screws 84 at each end thereof. A spring 75 between attachment hooks 471 and 74 normally biases the slide plate 71 towards the right in Figure 6. The slide 71 has integral therewith angled cam uprights 77 for supporting ratchet table 90 thereupon. The pin 67 normally rides upon the ramp cam 1 71 on the top of and integral with slide plate 71. Thus, when the sewing.needle head 20 is closed, projection 62 depresses pin 67 pushing it against the ramp cam 1 71 to move the slide plate and associated structure to the left.When slide plate 71 moves to the left, it then lowers the ratchet table 90 by moving the angled cam uprights 77 to the left and thus allowing the ratchet table to drop down in opening 1 8. Also, the support block 79 with top plate 76 having the sewing needle aperture 80 therein being integral with slide 71 also moves therewith. These changes in position can be compared in Figures 1 and 2. When block 79 is in the position of Figure 1, the yarn end 1 5 being led into the guide 82 and the groove 1 79 adjacent thereto, can then be fed into needle receiving aperture 80. The aperture 80 receives the eye end 161 of the stitch needle 61 when in the downward position, and allows the end of the yarn 1 5 to be engaged thereby as described below.

Looking at Figure 10, a center hoop 140 and the yarn catch hook member 460 as it catches the end of the yarn and loops it around the hoop can be seen. The hold down 56 for yarn push member 150, as pivotally mounted on axis 57, is clearly shown.

Next we will describe the operation of this toy knitting device as it is used to form an intermediate yarn circle during the first half of the total process. It should be noted that the overall completed yarn circle design (Figure 9) in some respects resembles a daisy. Figure 7 shows the intermediate yarn circle at the finish of the initial knitting process.

The initial knitting process is effected as follows: As shown in Figures 11-15, as well as the plan views of Figures 16 and 17, the center hoop 1 40 is mounted upon the recesses 1 33 of the center pins 1 30 of the ratchet table 90. In the center aperture 1 90 of the ratchet table 90 the vertically mounted cylinder 1 20 projects upwardly therethrough having the yarn pusher ramp cam projection 1 22 with cam surface 1 24 thereon. As the yarn pusher 150 moves past the yarn as held by the yarn guides, the end 1 52 engages the yarn in the slot 1 58, and pulls a loop of yarn towards the middle of the hoop 140, as shown in Figures 11 and 12.The end 1 52 of the yarn pusher 1 50 engages the ramp cam surface 124, which in turn pivots it upwardly so that the looped yarn is moved upwardly through the hoop 140. Then hook arm member 460 moves in above the hoop and passes through the formed loop of yarn, and in the position shown in Figure 13, engages the loop by the hook end 464. The yarn pusher 1 50 is then retracted in the direction shown by the arrow C in Figure 1 3. Simultaneously with this retraction of pusher 1 50, the hook end 464 of member 460 pulls the loop of yarn to the right, as shown in Figure 14, far enough so that it can be hooked and secured over one of the L-shaped yarn catchers 111 on the outer circumference of the knitting disc 110. Figure 1 4 shows this hooking of the formed return loop of yarn over one of the knitting disc L-shaped catchers 111. In Figure 1 5 the securement of the return loop has been completed, and the hook arm 460 has been moved towards the left towards hoop 140 ready for another portion of yarn to be pushed into place by the yarn pusher 1 50. The cycle then repeats after the knitting disc 110 has been turned an appropriate amount by the ratchet table 90.

Figures 1 6 and 1 7 show how the center hoop 140 is supported on the ratchet table 90 as it is moved counter-clockwise, and how the loop of yarn 1 5 is moved towards the center of the hoop 140 by the yarn pusher 1 50. The previously completed return loop secured over the knitting disc retention catcher L 111 is shown in white, while the yarn portion ready to be pushed by member 150 is shown in heavy dark, and the loop position as formed by the push member 150 is shown in dotted lines. Figure 17 shows the step after the yarn pusher end 1 52 is moved as far as it will go to the center of and up through hoop 140, and with the yarn looped thereover. It is in this stage that the hook arm 460 with hook 464 catches the loop as shown in Figure 12.

After repeatedly going through the steps as depicted in Figures 10-1 7, until the entire central area of knitting disc 110 is covered with formed loops, the intermediate circle of yarn--is thus entirely formed, whereupon the remaining connecting piece of yarn is cut by a scissors, and this end tied to the starting end of the yarn in double knot fashion to positively secure the respective ends to each other. The intermediate yarn circle, as shown in Figure 7, has now been completed. Now, the device can be used to perform the second series of steps for finishing of the intermediate yarn product into the completed yarn circle product. This completed yarn circle product is shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings.This completed product is formed by performing a lock stitch operation on the existing projecting loops as shown in Figure 7, by means of additional yarn being fed into the device, and subsequently stitched onto these loops by a lock stitching process using the reciprocating and rotating needle 61 as mounted in the upper head 20.

Looking again at Figures 2 and 6, an end piece of yarn 1 5 from a spool of yarn mounted on spindle 1 7 is fed through the guides 1 09, 82, and 182 and the end piece pushed into slot 1 79 and over the sewing needle aperture 80. Then the knob 40 is rotated until the respective indicators, preferably red in window 121 and blue in window 11 5 appear. When these indicators are visible, the internal operating mechanism is properly positioned so that the head 20 can be closed upon the base in the direction of the arrow Z of Figure 2.

Prior to closing the head, however, the yarn loop separator and spacer ring 60 with projections 1 60 projecting therefrom (Figure 18) must be inserted in place in the center of the knitting disc 110 and with each projection 1 60 through one of the several loops of the yarn intermediate circle. The ridges 260 on each projection 1 60 couplemate and mate with one of the recesses 21 2 of the knitting disc. Once these components have been assembled, then the entire package is mounted on the drive lugs 91 of the ratchet table 90. Now the head unit is closed, and the upper head knob 86 operated manually by the user.

All of the above elements now are ready for the sewing process, and appear as shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 20. Rotation of the handle of knob 86 then effects an up and down movement (arrow U/D) of the stitch needle 61 and a reciprocating rotation (arrow R} thereof to turn the needle eye hook 161 when appropriate. The knob 86 may have a one-half turn slip clutch mechanism therein similar to that of knob 40.

The mechanism for effecting the needle lock stitching operation will now be described referring to Figures 1 9 and 20. The handle 86, shaft 186 and gear 88 mating with driven gear 102 effect rotation of shaft 91, and in turn integral therewith disc 93 having slot 94 therein for reception of pin 97. Rotation of disc 93 effects movement of pin 97 about the periphery of the disc cam 100 provided with cam faces 101. Pin 97 in turn moves the rack 96 having teeth 95 thereon which engage the teeth of gear 98 attached to needle 61 in order to reciprocate needle 61 as indicated by arrow R. A spring 99 around the needle 61 tends to bias same in the up direction. Looking again at gear 102, a pin 104 projecting therefrom rides in slot 105 of box 205 on the upper end of slide 87 for effecting up and down as well as reciprocating movement of the slide 87.Slide 87 has a pivot pin 287 extending therefrom which is engageable with guiding rails 387. The other end of slide 87 has a point 1 87 thereon for engagement with the respective ratchet steps 92 on the outer periphery of the knitting disc 110 to assure proper step-bystep movement thereof during the needle lock stitching process. All of the components, as shown in perspective in Figure 20, are also shown in elevational view in cross-section in Figure 21.

Figure 22 shows the actual schematic of the locking stitch which is effected by the rotary reciprocation and up and down movement of the needle 61 and needle eye 161.

Figures 22 through 25 show in expanded form the exact process of making the locking stitch.

These series of views show in the upper A portion thereof the disc cam 1 00 with the various angled cam surfaces 101 thereof. The specific configuration shown is preferred in order to obtain the desired lock stitch. The pin 97 for slide 95 also is clearly shown, which as seen in Figures 1 9 and 20, actuates the rotation of the needle 61 at the appropriate times. Simultaneously with this rotation of the needle, the needle is caused to move up or down by the rest of the operating mechanism.

Looking again at Figures 22 through 25, the locking stitch itself will be described. The various return loops of yarn as supported by the L-shaped catchers 111 of the knitting disc 110 can be seen for several of these loops. The projections 1 60 of the loop separator ring 60 holds these loops apart, but are omitted from these views. The hook eye 161 of the needle 61 pulls up a loop of yarn 110 as shown in Figure 22, next the needle is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction, as viewed from the top and as shown in this figure to the next position shown in Figure 23, where a downward movement is also added. Deflector plate 107 can be clearly seen as well as the loop 110 of yarn. A larger portion 111 of the loop permits the needle to pass downwardly through the inside of the loop.

In Figure 24 the needle 61 has moved all the way down and then rotation in the clockwise direction occurs so that the hook eye 1 61 will be rotated towards the straight portion SP of the yarn 1 5 as shown in this view. After the appropriate clockwise rotation, the hook eye 1 61 engages with the straight portion SP and then as the needle is moved up again (Figure 25) it lifts the straight portion upwardly to form an expanded loop which will in the fully up position be like the one 110 as first seen in Figure 22. This particular individual lock stitch has now been completed, and the entire process is again repeated for the next lock stitch.This process occurs all the way around the knitting disc, with lock stitches being performed with each secured return loop in turn, as indicated schematically in Figure 21, until the completed yarn circle is completely finished as shown in Figure 8. The end of the yarn remaining below the needle as a straight portion is then severed and the beginning end tied thereto to form another securing knot as shown in Figure 8, and indicated by FK. After this finished knot FK has been tied, the completed knitted yarn circle is ready for removal from the knitting disc 110 and the loop spacer ring 60, and now appears as a completed and finished yarn circle product 30 in Figure 9.

After a plurality of these completed yarn circles 30 have been formed, then a number of them can be assembled in interconnected relationship by the loops 30a, 30b, 30c, etc., to similar loops on adjacent yarn circles, and also a number of these yarn circles may be assembled into all sorts of patterns as indicated schematically in Figure 26 which shows a plurality of the completed yarn circles interconnected to make a beanie, or dollie, or the like.

Figure 27 shows the auxiliary components as normally supplied with the toy of this invention, and the various items necessary for using the apparatus itself. A needle 500 is shown which may be used for interconnecting completed yarn circles, a general purpose tool 510 having a hook 511 at one end and a slot 512 at the other end can be used for various feeding and guiding operations during operation of the apparatus, a plurality of plastic hoops 140 as preformed in a holding structure 520 therefor, a plurality of yarn holding spools 16, at least one knitting disc 110, at least one loop separator ring 60, and a plurality of yarn packages 530 of preferably different colors. Also, it should be noted that at the top of the sewing head 20 is a moveable compartment 522 of transparent plastic pivoted along one edge thereof, which can be used to contain several balls of yarn, or completed yarn circles and the like.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A toy device for making individual yarn circles for use in larger yarn circle composites comprising: a supporting base, a pivotally mounted head mounted upon said supporting base, a rotary ratchet table provided within an appropriate aperture in said supporting base, a knitting disc supported on said ratchet table, guide elements provided for feeding yarn from a supply to a position adjacent said ratchet table, first yarn engaging means for pushing a loop portion thereof through a center hoop being supported on said ratchet table, second yarn engaging means for hooking said loop portion and effecting an attachment thereof around said center hoop, catcher means on said knitting disc for securing said return loops in desired retention positions on said knitting disc, said pivotally mounted head having a reciprocating and rotary needle provided therewith and including manually operated mechanism for effecting a lock stitch operation with additional yarn through the return loops as formed previously, and loop spacer means for keeping said formed return loops separated and open during the lock stitch operation of the device.

2. A toy device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said knitting disc comprises a disc having a central aperture with a plurality of recesses extending therefrom and a further plurality of recesses extending inwardly from the outer circumference of the disc, said catcher means on the disc including a plurality of L-shaped yarn return loopretaining pins projecting perpendicularly to said knitting disc around the circumference thereof.

3. A toy device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said loop spacer means comprises a ring member having a preferably large central aperture and a plurality of projections extending axially of and perpendicular to the ring member from the outer circumference thereof, said projection complementing and mating with the plurality of central recesses in said knitting disc.

4. A toy device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said first yarn engaging means for effecting the loop portion of the yarn during first looping operation comprises a yarn pusher member having a pivotally mounted end which engages with a cam structure associated with said ratchet disc for diverting said pivot end upwardly through the center hoop on the table at an appropriate time after engagement of the pusher member end with a piece of yarn, and said second yarn engaging means comprises a hook arm with a hook at the end thereof for engaging said looped yarn and moving same over said catcher means on said knitting disc.

5. A toy device as claimed in any preceding claim and including an actuating mechanism for said first and second yarn engaging means, said actuating mechanism comprising two interconnected gears with a drive pin provided on each gear for driving association with two slide plates each having a slot therein, each yarn engaging means being connected to a respective slide plate, and color coded indicators actuatedby a further mechanism for providing the user of the device with indications as to when the various mechanisms are properly orientated.

6. A toy device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein a pivotable head provided with a reciprocating and rotary needle is used for adding additional yarn to a partially completed yarn circle for lock stitching said additional yarn around the extending loops from said intermediate yarn circle product, said head being moveable into proper position for performing these functions only when said color coded indicators indicate the proper orientation of the operation mechanisms.

7. A toy device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein means for causing said reciprocating needle to move in the desired manner includes a disc cam engageable by a pin attached to a rack and pinion structure for effecting rotation of said needle and by a slide mechanism provided for effecting up and down movement of the needle.

8. A toy device as claimed in Claim 8 wherein a pinion is engaged with a rack so as to respond both to lateral and vertical displacement of said rack as a protrusion thereof is driven by drive means in circuiation about a cam surface and is connected to the pin so as to reciprocate said pin in rotary motion and in a direction perpendicular'to the plane of rotary reciprocation.

9. A toy device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.