Bizzzy Bee Knitter from Transogram (1967)

Company: Transogram | Release date: 1967 | Where to purchase: eBay

Released in 1967 by Transogram, the Bizzzy Bee Knitter replicated a vintage sewing machine from the 1920s. The brightly coloured plastic toy needed no assembly and was very simple to operate. Once a spool of yarn was threaded into the machine, children could start knitting automatically by turning the pink handle.

Four stitching needles facilitated the loop lifting process and produced a cord, similar to a traditional spool knitter. Kids could “make fashion dolls, coasters, scarves, post holder, and many other useful items.” The Bizzzy Bee Knitter came with an instruction booklet and 160 yards of yarn.

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