^AND--^ ,T^ NOKWICH.CONN U-5A ^ ^ ^ ■■ .4 wta,',ii : yv MERROW SYSTEM OF CROCHETING MACHINERY AND METHODS FOR FINISHING THE EDGES OF FABRICS. J. B. Merrow & Sons, . , b NORWICH, CONN, U. S. A. The only firm in existence devoted to this line of business. The only Machines in the world made expressly for this purpose. Copyright by J. B. Merkow & Sons, 1889. 40 The attention of all manufacturers, wholesale and retail dealers and consumers of Knit Goods is invited to the beauty, perfection and durability of the Finishes produced by the employment of the Merrow System of Crocheting Machinery and Methods. PATENTED IN The United States, Canada, England, France, Germany and Belgium. 1888 CAUTIOIT. This Company has exclusive control of the inveiitions of J. M. Merrow, for tvhich letters patent were granted September 25, iSyy {No. igs^520), November ij, 1888 {No, 3^2,818), December 18, 1888 {No. 394.782), and December 18, 1888 {N'o. 394,783), and other inventions for which applications are now pending, the whole including all the essential features of the Merrow System. All machines containing any one or more of the features, or which operate, or are operated to carry out the methods covered in said patents, infringe the latter, and each individual viaker , seller , owner or user, unless licensed under said patents, is liable for the profits obtained by the use of the patented invention, as well as for the damages sustained bv the owner of the patent. The Merroiv SysteDi of Cj^ocheting Machinery and Methods is an improved^ system of means and methods for finishing the edges of fabrics and is especially adapted to he ased in finishing the raw edges of hnit goods, for which purpose these inven- tions were originated. gl^I€F HlSTOI^V. ■T~N the year 1838, the firm of J. M. Merrow & Son, ^ embarked in the business of manufacturing knitted undergarments by machinery, and were the pioneers of the knitting industr}' in this country. The senior partner in the present firm of J. B. IMerrow & Sons, was at that time the junior member of the firm. The Knitting Factory was built in a secluded and picturesque spot without a name, in the valley of the Willimantic River. The mill was known as the Valley Knitting Mill, and was the first knitting mill built in the United States. Naturally a little village grew up and the settlement by general consent was called Merrowville, but in later years when the railroad was built, the village took the name of Merrow Station, by which name it was known until early in the year 1883, when by order of the Post Office Department, the name was changed to Merrow. From the year 1838 down to the present time vast improve- ments in knitting machinery and in the art of manufacturing knit goods have been made and by the aid of inventions the industry has reached mammoth proportions. Many important improvements in the art originated in the little factory at Merrow, and among them was the Merrow System of Crocheting Machinery and Methods — the inven- THE MERKOW SYSTEM t)F tion of J. M. Merrow, one of the members of the firm of J. B. Merrow & Sons. Several machines for crocheting were constructed under the direction of Mr. J. INI. Merrow, prior to the year 1876, for the purpose of facihtating the processes of finishing knit goods. Some of the machines were in constant use in the Knitting Mill of J. B, Merrow & Sons for several years, during which period Mr. Merrow r^-designed his machines and introduced many improvements. As it was thought that the machines were too useful to remain in obscurity, measures were taken to introduce them to the manufacturers, and the machines met with a friendly reception. The machines were at that time built in the Machine Shop connected with the Knitting Mill at Merrow, and met with a rapidly increasing sale until the Knitting Mill and Machine Shop were burned in the month of June, 1886, destroying a large number of Crochet Machines in process of manufacture, and also all of the special tools for building them. With all possible diligence a new plant was started in the city of Norwich, Conn., and in less than three months a new set of special tools had been made and new machines, with parts interchangeable with those previously made, were sent out to fill an accumulation of orders. From that time on the sale of the Merrow Special Crochet Machines has been steadily increasing and the facilities for manufacture have been enlarged. The manufacture of goods was abandoned by the proprietors, when the Knitting Mill was destroyed, and it is not their intention to resume that branch of their business. CROCHETING MACHINERY AND METHODS. 5 The machines and methods which we have introduced to the public are the result of a systematic and tedious course of experience and invention extending over a period of many years. Neither expense, energy or thought has been spared to attain the high state of perfection which we have reached. The employment of our improvements has enabled the manuficturers to produce articles of a superior and elegant finish before impossible and unknown. The facility with which these improved finishes are produced has rendered our machines popular and their use general. .All of our machines are made at our works, under our direct supervision, and every part is made in the best possible manner. Every machine is thoroughly tested by practical use, before shipment, and is guaranteed to equal or surpass our recom- mendations This catalogue contains a description of the machines which we are now regularly making and usually have in stock, or in a condition to be forwarded at short notice. We make many modifications of our machines and also other machines of special forms which it is impossible at this time to illustrate. From time to time we shall add to our list such new machinery as we shall have demonstrated by practical use to be of use and value to the manufacturing world. Very respectfully, J. B. Merkow & Sons. Norwich, Conn., U. S. A., 1889, January 1st. THE MERROW SYSTEM OF The Merrow Special Crochet Machines ARE WITHOUT QUESTION THE BEST IN EXISTENCE FOR Finishing the Edges of Knit Goods and other Similar Fabrics, The machines are adapted to use silk, cotton, wool, worsted, or any other yarn or thread which may be knit, from the best to the cheapest, and from fine thread to heavy yarn ; forming new and improved stitches, which may be adjusted in length as desired. These stitches are desirable in finishing Leggins, Mittens, Gloves, Shaker Socks, Heavy Shirts and Drawers, Ladies', Children's and Babes' Underwear, Jerseys, Jackets, Blankets, Lap Robes, Wristlets, and many other varieties of goods. The work is ornamental, and may be made fully as elastic as the most stretchy fabrics, or tight enough to bind the edges. The machines are carefully designed, and made in the best possible manner, expressly to be run by steam power, but will also be furnished with table and adapted to be run by foot power when so ordered. The motions are positive and easy, the operation is rapid and the production and durability great. A special friction driving device is supplied with each machine to be run by power. The extreme simplicity of these machines at once commends them. CROCHETING MACHINKKY AND METHODS. gCALLOP (^ROCHET /V\aCHINE Is Particularly Designed to CROCHET A SCALLOP EDGE UPON KNIT GOODS AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES. This machine is a modification of the jNIerrow Special Crochet Machine, and is designed to be employed upon the same classes of work where a more elaborate finish is desired. The Scallop Machine produces an elegant finish resembling shell stitch crochet work but surpassing it in beauty, perfection and durability. The above engraving represents one of the Merrow Special Machines, as set ready for use. All of the machines described in this catalogue are practically the same in general appearance as the illustration. THE MERROW SYSTEIVJ OF FIG. 2. The above cut represents our Single Crochet Finish, as pro. duced by the Merrow Special Crochet Machines No. 6 and No. 7. FIG. 3. mm mm h\:h\:h The above engraving illustrates our Single Crochet Stitch as produced by the Merrow Special Crochei" Machines, Nos. 5 & 12. CROCHETING MACHINERY AND METHODS. FIG. 4. iiii iiiiilB^^^^^ ^The above enorraving is a representation of our Double Thread Crochet Finish, as produced by the Merrow Special Crochet Machine No. 6. The above cut illustrates our Double Thread Crochet Finish, as produced by the Merrow Special Crochet Machines Nos. 5 & 12. lO THK MERROW SYSTEM OF FIG. 6. The above is an illustration of the Finish produced by theMERROW Special Crochet Machine No. 6 provided with our adding attach- ment. FIG. 7. The above cut is a representation of the Fillisll produced by the Merrow Special Crochet Machine No. 12 provided with ribbon attachment. CROCHETING MACHINERY AND METHODS. I I FIG. 8. The above cut represents our Siiigle Thread Scallop Cro- chet Finish, as produced by the Merrow Special Scallop Machine ^°"- FIG. 9. iiii The above engraving illustrates the Finish produced by the Mer. ROW Special Scallop Machine No. ii provided with ribbon attach- ment. 12 THE MERKOW SYSTEM OF FIG. 10, rr-rn^^F ■•• •• iiliiijiiiii^i?:; : ; i : : : : : : : : :|: :f. : — : • : • • J: • »'•►•••••• ;, • v>.... .,<••<••< : ^f: i ': : : if; : :1: : : i ; M: :i:il !!■ The above encrraving is an illustration of our Oouble Thread Scallop Finish, as produced by the Merkow Special Scallop Machink No. 13. THE MERROW SPECIAL CROCHET MACHINE, No. 5. Produces our Double Thread Crochet Finish, and is partic- ularly adapted for finishing the bottoms of Leggins and other articles of similar thickness. This machine will also make our Single Thread Elastic Finish. The depth of finish produced is about three-eighths of an inch. Price, complete, $ CROCHETING MACHINE AND METHODS. 1 3 THE MERROW SPECIAL CROCHET MACHINE, No. 6. Produces our Double Thread Crochet Finish and is exten- sively used for finishing Ladies', Gentlemen's, and Children's fine and medium knit Underwear, either in cotton, wool, wors- ted or silk. This machine also produces our Single Stitch Elastic Crochet Finish. The depth of the finish produced is about one-fourth of an inch. Price, complete, $ THE MERROW SPECIAL CROCHET MACHINE, No. 7. Produces our Single Thread Elastic Crochet Finish, and is particularly adapted for finishing the tops of Shaker Socks, Seamless Half Hose, and other similar articles. The depth ot finish produced is about one-fourth of an inch. Price, complete, is $ THE MERROW SPECIAL CROCHET MACHINE, No. 8. Produces our Double Thread Crochet Finish and is partic- ularlv designed for use where a very narrow finish is desired, the depth of the finish produced being about one-eighth of an inch. This machine will also make our Single Thread Elastic Crochet Finish. Price, complete, $ 14 THE MERKOW SYSTEM OK THE iMERROW SPECIAL SCALLOP CROCHET MACHINE, No. 9. Produces our Single Thread Scallop Elvish in very small scallops. These machines are built to form scallops of either six or eight stitches each, as ordered. Price, complete, $ THE MERROW SPECIAL SCALLOP CROCHET MACHINE. No. 10. Produces our Double Thread Scallop Finish in very small scallops. These machines are built to form scallops of either six or eight stitches, each as ordered. These machines will also form our Single Thread Scallop Finish. Price, complete, $ THE MERROW SPECIAL SCALLOP CROCHET MACHINE, No II. Produces our Single Thread Scallop Finish and is widely used for finishing Ladies' Knit Underwear, Leggins, Mittens and other similar articles. These machines are regularly built to form scallops of either six or eight stitches each, and each machine is provided with the necessary parts for making wide or narrow scallops, and for finishing raw edges, or edges which have previously been finished with our Crochet Machine, Price, complete, $ CROCHETING MACHINERY AND METHODS. THE MERROW SPECIAL CROCHET MACHINE, No. 12. Produces our Double Thread Crochet Finish, and is exten- srvely used for finishing Ladies' Fine and Medium Knit Under- wear in cotton, wool and worsted. Tiiis machine will also make our Single Thread Elastic Finish. The depth of the finish produced is about three-eighths of an inch. Price, complete, $ THE MERROW SPECIAL SCALLOP CROCHET MACHINE, No. 13. Produces our Double Thread Scallop Crochet Finish and is designed for use upon Knitted Garments when a finish of extraordinary beauty and durability is desired. This machine will also produce our Single Thread Scallop Finish. Price, complete, $ ADDING ATTACHMENT. An attachment for producing a finish like that illustrated in Fig. 6 is sent with the IMerrow Special Crochet Machines Nos. 5, 6, and 12, when ordered. Price $ extra. l6 THE MERROW SYST£M. RIBBON ATTACHMENTS. A Ribbon Attachment for introducing a ribbon while the machine is in operation, is supplied with the Merrow Special Scallop Machine No. 12, when ordered. Price $ extra. A Ribbon Attachment is supplied with the Merrow Special Scallop Machine No. 11, for producing the finish illustrated in Fig. 9. Price $ extra. TABLE. A Table with suitable arrangements for running any of our machines by foot will be sent when ordered. Price $ extra. In using our machines a great variety of effects may be pro- duced. The Plain Single Stitch may be varied by using two or more threads of the same or of different colors or material run together through the eye of the needle. The Double Stitch may be varied in appearance in the same manner as the single stitch, and also by using a supplemental thread of greater or less size, or of different color, from the main thread. Some of these variations have been used to great advantage upon either our Plain or Scallop Machines. It is impossible for us to illustrate and describe all of the modifications of our machines, or all of the variations in the style of our finish. We solicit correspondence and shall be pleased to send samples, to receive samples of fabric or garments to be finished and returned. We will usually send machines on thirty days' trial condi- tionally to responsible parties engaged in business in the United States, but reserve the right to decline to do so. In ordering machines state the requirements as nearly as possible and send samples of fabric to indicate the material to be operated upon. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 974 168 7 • MERROW.