Patent Publication Number: US-9903055-B2

Title: Manual knitting device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119 of the Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2016-113197 filed on Jun. 7, 2016 and 2015-220130 filed on Nov. 10, 2015, the entire disclosure of which, including the specifications, claims, drawings and abstracts, is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a manual knitting device for use in knitting yarn such as wool into knitted fabric. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     There have conventionally been provided manual knitting devices with which yarn such as wool can easily be knitted into a muffler or hat. For example, JP-T-2010-514954 (the term “JP-T” as used herein means a published Japanese translation of a PCT patent application) discloses a manual knitting device which includes a base member into which two long portions which are aligned parallel to each other are integrated. Then, a plurality of pin members each having a protuberant portion at an upper end portion thereof are provided on an upper surface of the base member so as to be erected therefrom. Grooves are provided on the shaft portions of the pin members so as to extend along the length of the shaft portions, and these grooves are disposed to face outwards. 
     In knitting yarn into knitted fabric with the manual knitting device disclosed in JP-T-2010-514954, firstly, yarn such as wool is sequentially hooked on the individual pin members. Then, a lower yarn portion of a yarn portion of the yarn which is disposed vertically on the shaft portion of each pin member is moved as being raised from a front side to a rear side of the pin member using a hooked needle or the like. Repeating operations like this causes the yarn to be knitted sequentially. After the yarn has been knitted completely, the knitted yarn is removed from the manual knitting device, and end portions are knitted together using a binding needle, whereby knitted fabric is completed. 
     The size of knitted fabric which is knitted by the manual knitting device disclosed by JP2010-514954 is determined by the size of the base member. Consequently, in the case of making a bracelet whose diameter is small, a small knitting device is selected, whereas in the case of making a hat whose diameter is large, a large knitting device is selected for use. In this way, since knitting devices are selected according to the size of knitted fabric to be made, the user needs to prepare a plurality of types of knitting devices having different sizes. Thus, the user needs to prepare a number of types of knitting devices which differ in size when he or she attempts to make various types of knitted fabric, which is troublesome. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a manual knitting device which can easily prepare a plurality of types of knitted fabric. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a manual knitting device in which a first base member which includes a first common hole portion and a second base member which includes a second common hole portion are formed so as to rotate about the first common hole portion and the second common hole portion into which a pin member is inserted commonly as a rotation center. 
     According to the aspect of the invention, since the connecting state of the first base member and the second base member which are connected together can be changed as a result of the rotation of the first and second base members, it is possible to provide the manual knitting device which can easily make a plurality of types of knitted fabric. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a state in which a manual knitting device according to a first embodiment of the invention is built up into a rectangular configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a state in which the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention is built up into a circular configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a state in which third base members of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention are combined together. 
         FIG. 4A  is a plan view showing a first base member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a front view showing the first base member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4C  is a sectional view of the first base member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention taken along a line A-A in  FIG. 4B . 
         FIG. 5A  is a plan view showing a second base member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a front view showing the second base member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5C  is a sectional view of the second base member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention taken along a line B-B in  FIG. 5B . 
         FIG. 6A  is a plan view showing the third base member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6B  is a front view showing the third base member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6C  is a sectional view of the third base member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention taken along a line C-C in  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a pin member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a horizontal sectional view showing a connecting state of the first member and the second member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention in which the first base member and the second base member are connected together in a straight line. 
         FIG. 8B  is a horizontal sectional view showing a connecting state of the first base member and the second base member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention in which the first base member and the second base member are connected to each other at an angle of 30 degrees. 
         FIG. 8C  is a horizontal sectional view showing a connecting state of the first base member and the second base member of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention in which the first base member and the second base member are connected to each other at an angle of 20 degrees. 
         FIG. 9  is a horizontal sectional view showing a state in which the first base member and the second base member are connected to the third base member of the manual knitting member according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10A  is a plan view showing a state in which the first base members and the second base members of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention are connected together into a circular shape, the first base members and the second base members being connected together so as to form a small circular shape. 
         FIG. 10B  is a plan view showing a state in which the first base members and the second base members of the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment of the invention are connected together into a circular shape, the first base members and the second base members being connected together so as to form a large circular shape. 
         FIG. 11A  is a plan view showing a first base member of a manual knitting device according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a front view showing the first base member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11C  is a sectional view of the first base member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention taken along a line A-A in  FIG. 11B . 
         FIG. 12A  is a plan view showing a second base member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12B  is a front view showing the second base member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12C  is a sectional view of the second base member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention taken along a line B-B in  FIG. 12B . 
         FIG. 13A  is a plan view showing a third base member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13B  is a front view showing the third base member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13C  is a sectional view of the third base member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention taken along a line C-C in  FIG. 13B . 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing a pin member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15A  is a plan view showing a connecting state of the first base member and the second base member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention in which the first base member and the second base member are connected together in a straight line. 
         FIG. 15B  is a plan view showing a connecting state of the first base member and the second base member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention in which the first base member and the second base member are connected to each other at an angle of 30 degrees. 
         FIG. 15C  is a plan view showing a connecting state of the first member base and the second base member of the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment of the invention in which the first base member and the second base member are connected to each other at an angle of 20 degrees. 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view showing a state in which the first base member and the second base member are connected to the third base member of the manual knitting member according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a hook which is used on the manual knitting devices according to the embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a hook of a different configuration which is used on the knitting devices according to the embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a view explaining a method of using the manual knitting devices according to the embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a view explaining a method of using the manual knitting devices according to the embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view showing a pin member of a different configuration which is used on the manual knitting devices according to the embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A first embodiment of the invention will be described by using the drawings. According to the first embodiment, three forms of manual knitting devices are possible. According to a manual knitting device  1 A shown in  FIG. 1 , short rod-shaped first base members  10  and second base members  20  and two substantially U-shaped third base members  30  are connected together so as to form a base  50 . Consequently, when seen from thereabove, the base  50  has a long rectangular shape in which an opening portion  54  is formed inside long side portions  51  and short side portions  52 . Then, a plurality of pin members  40  are provided on an upper surface of the base  50  so as to be erected therefrom. The pin members  40  each have a shaft portion  42  and a protuberant portion  44  which is formed at an upper end of the shaft portion  42 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a manual knitting device  1 B of another form. In this manual knitting device  1 B, the first base members  10  and the second base members  20  are connected together so as to form a circular base  60  when seen from thereabove. Consequently, an opening portion  64  is formed inside the base  60 . Then, the pin members  40  are provided on an upper surface of the base  60  so as to be erected therefrom. 
       FIG. 3  shows a manual knitting device  1 C of a further form. In this manual knitting device  1 C, the two third base members  30  are combined together so as to form a quadrangular base  70  when seen from thereabove. The pin members  40  are provided on an upper surface of the base  70  so as to be erected therefrom. 
     In these manual knitting devices  1 A,  1 B,  1 C, yarn such as wool is wound once around the individual pin members  40  sequentially, and part of the yarn so wound around each of the pin members  40  is turned from an outer side to an inner side of the pin member  40  in such a way that the yarn passes over an upper end of the protuberant portion  44 , whereby knitting is executed. Then, the sequence of winding the yarn around the pin members  40  is changed variously, whereby various stitches can be produced. Further, by using the bases  50 ,  60 ,  70  which are different in shape and size, it is possible to make knitted fabric such as hats or mufflers of different sizes. 
     Next, the first base member  10  will be described based on  FIG. 4A to 4C . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the first base member  10  having a short rod shape is formed into a short flat plate whose end portions  11  each have a convexly projecting arc shape when seen from thereabove. Consequently, an upper surface  12   a  and a lower surface  12   b  of the first base member  10  are formed substantially flat. Then, as shown in  FIG. 4B , when seen from the front, the end portions  11  of the first base member  10  are each bifurcated. Here, an upper surface of an upper piece  13   a   1  of each of the bifurcated end portions  11  constitutes a surface which continues flat to the upper surface  12   a  of the first base member  10 . Similarly, a lower surface of a lower piece  13   a   2  of each of the bifurcate end portions  11  constitutes a surface which continues to the lower surface  12   b  of the first base member  10 . 
     The first base member  10  has first common hole portions  14  which are holes opened in a vertical direction at the end portions  11 . The first common hole portions  14  are formed so that the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  can be inserted therethrough. Namely, the first common hole portions  14  are holes which are opened slightly larger in diameter than an outside diameter of the shaft portion  42  so as to have a hole diameter which allows the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  to rotate freely therein. The first common hole portions  14  are each made up of an upper hole  14   a  which is opened in the upper piece  13   a   1  and a lower hole  14   b  which is opened in the lower piece  13   a   2  of the bifurcate end portion  11 . The upper hole  14   a  penetrates the upper piece  13   a   1 . The lower hole  14   b  does not penetrate the lower piece  13   a   2  and is hence a non-through hole having a hole bottom portion  14   b   1 . The upper hole  14   a  and the lower hole  14   b  have the same diameter. 
     A first hole portion  15  is provided in a longitudinally middle position of the first base member  10 , and this first hole portion  15  constitutes a hole which is opened in a vertical direction. The first hole portion  15  is a non-through hole having a hole bottom portion  15   a . Then, when seen from thereabove as shown in  FIG. 4A , the first hole portion  15  has an engaging projecting portion  15   b  which projects into a triangular shape towards a center of the hole. The engaging projecting portion  15   b  is formed to extend continuously from an open surface (that is, the upper surface  12   a ) to the hole bottom portion  15   a  of the first hole portion  15 . The engaging projecting portion  15   b  is disposed on a side (a lower side in  FIG. 4A ) of the first hole portion  15  which constitutes an outer side when the first base member  10  is connected to the other base members. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4C , when seen from thereabove, inter-piece walls  13   b  each having a concavely receding arc shape constitute proximal or base portions of the bifurcate end portions  11  from which the upper pieces  13   a   1  and the lower pieces  13   a   2  project. The inter-piece walls  13   b  each have three connecting engagement recess portions  16  which include a first engaging recess portion  16   a , a second engaging recess portion  16   b  and a third engaging recess portion  16   c . The connecting engagement recess portions  16  are V-shaped grooves which are formed on the inter-piece wall portion so as to extend therealong in the vertical direction. The first engaging recess portion  16   a  is provided in a middle position of the arc-shaped inter-piece wall  13   b  when seen from thereabove. The second engaging recess portion  16   b  and the third engaging recess portion  16   c  are provided to lie adjacent to each other on one side (a lower side in  FIG. 4C ) of the inter-piece wall  13   b . Further, an end portion of (a lower end portion in  FIG. 4C ) of each inter-piece wall  13   b  is formed into a flat step-like abutment end portion  13   c . A step portion  13   d  is formed at the other end portion (an upper end portion in  FIG. 4C ) of each inter-piece wall  13   b.    
     Space portions  17  are formed individually on longitudinal sides of the first hole portion  15  of the first base member  10 . These space portions  17  are non-through spaces which are formed to extend upwards from the lower surface  12   b . These space portions  17  constitute a so-called material removed portion resulting when the first base member  10  is formed from a resin material through injection molding. 
     A triangular rotational position mark  18  is provided an end portion of each of the end portions  11  on the upper surface  12   a  of the first base member  10 . The rotational position marks  18  are disposed on a line which connects centers of the two first common hole portions  14 , and top portions of the rotational position marks  18  are directed longitudinally outwards of the first base member  10 . A setting mark  19  is provided between each of the two first common hole portions  14  and the first hole portion  15 . The setting mark  19  has a shape which is copied from so-called four-lobed clover. The setting marks  19  are disposed near a longitudinal edge (an upper edge in  FIG. 4A ) of the first base member  10  which lies on an opposite side of the first hole portion  15  to a side thereof where the engaging projecting portion  15   b  is provided. 
     Next, the second base member  20  will be described based on  FIG. 5A to 5C . As a plan view shown in  FIG. 5A  shows, the second base member  20  having a short rod shape is formed into a short flat plate whose end portions  21   a  have a convexly projecting arc shape. The end portions  21   a  are made thinner than a central portion  21   b  which lies between the end portions  21   a . The end portions  21   a  have a thickness which enables the end portions  21   a  to be inserted into the bifurcate end portions  11  (between the upper piece  13   a   1  and the lower piece  13   a   2 ) of the adjacent first base members  10 . 
     A second common hole portion  24  is formed in each end portion  21   a  so as to extend therethrough. An engaging projecting portion  24   a  is provided on each second common hole portion  24 . The engaging projecting portions  24   a  each have a triangular projection, when seen from thereabove, which is formed from an upper end to a lower end of the second common hole portion  24  so as to extend along the length thereof with an apex portion thereof caused to face the center of the second common hole portion  24 . 
     A connecting engagement projecting portion  21   a   1  is provided in a central position of an outer end of each of the end portions  21   a  when seen from thereabove. The connecting engagement projecting portions  21   a   1  are formed so as to extend from an upper surface to a lower surface of the corresponding end portions  21   a . An arc-shaped hole  21   a   2 , which is a through hole, is provided between each of the second common hole portions  24  and each of the connecting engagement projecting portions  21   a   1 . Consequently, the connecting engagement projecting portions  21   a   1  are supported by corresponding arc-shaped base portions  21   a   3  which constitute base portions of the connecting engagement projecting portions  21   a   1 . Since the second base member  20  is formed from a synthetic resin, the connecting engagement projecting portions  21   a   1  are allowed to be elastically sprung back by the arc-shaped base portions  21   a   3 . 
     A flat abutment end portion  21   a   4  is formed at an end portion (that is, a lower end portion in  FIG. 5C ) of each of the arc-shaped base portions  21   a   3  in a step-like fashion. Further, proximal end walls  23 , each having an arc shape when seen from thereabove, are formed individually on an upper side and a lower side of each of the end portions  21   a  at a connecting portion of the end portion  21   a  and the central portion  21   b  so as to be erected in the vertical direction. Both ends of each proximal end wall  23  are formed into a step portion  23   a.    
     A second hole portion  25  is provided in a longitudinal center of the second base member  20 , and this second hole portion  25  has the same diameter as that of the second common hole portion  24 . The second hole portion  25  is a non-through hole and has a hole bottom portion  25   b . Further, as with the engaging projecting portion  24   a  of the second common hole portion  24 , the second hole portion  25  has a triangular engaging projecting portion  25   a  which is formed so as to extend from an upper surface  22   a  to the hole bottom portion  25   b  with an apex portion caused to face the center of the hole. 
     The second hole portion  25  and the two second common hole portions  24  have the same diameter and shape. The engaging projecting portions  24   a ,  25   a  of the two common hole portions  24  and the second hole portion  25  are disposed so as to be aligned along one side (a lower side in  FIG. 5A ) of the second base member  20  which represents an outer side when assembled to the first member  10 . Then, the diameters of the second hole portion  25  and the two second common hole portions  24  are slightly larger than an outside diameter of the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40 , so that the shaft portion  42  can be inserted through the hole portions. 
     Space portions  27 , which are non-through holes, are formed individually on longitudinal sides of the second hole portion  25  so as to extend upwards from a lower surface  22   b  of the central portion  21   b  of the second base member  20 . These space portions  27  constitute a so-called material removed portion resulting when the second base member  20  is formed from a resin material through injection molding. 
     Triangular first marks  26   a  are disposed individually on the sides of the second hole portion  25  on a line which connects the centers of the two second common holes  24  and the second hole portion  25  on the upper surface  22   a  of the central portion  21   b  of the second base member  20 . In addition, a second mark  26   b  and a third mark  26   c  are disposed adjacent to each other on one side (a lower side in  FIG. 5A ) of the first mark  26   a  at each end of the central portion  21   b . Further, a large circular mark  26   b   1  is provided on a side of the second mark  26   b  which faces the second hole portion  25  so as to correspond to the second mark  26   b  at each end of the central portion  21   b . Similarly, a small circular mark  26   c   1  is provided so as to correspond to the third mark  26   c . Furthermore, two setting marks  29  each having a shape which is copied from so-called four-lobed clover are disposed on the sides of the second hole portion  25  on the upper surface  22   a  so as to be aligned near a longitudinal edge portion of the second base member  20  which lies on opposite sides of the second common hole portions  24  to sides thereof where the engaging projecting portions  24   a  are provided. 
     Next, the third base member  30  will be described based on  FIG. 6A to 6C . The third base member  30  is formed into a flat plate having a substantially U-shaped external shape when seen from thereabove. As a plan view shown in  FIG. 6A  shows, two projecting end portions  31   a ,  31   b  of the third base member  30  each have a convexly projecting arc shape. In  FIG. 6A , a left projecting end portion  31   a  is bifurcated vertically. An upper surface of an upper piece  31   a   1  of the bifurcated end portion  31   a  includes a surface which continues flat to an upper surface  32   a  of a main body portion  31   g . A lower surface of a lower piece  31   a   2  includes a surface which continues flat to a lower surface  32   b  of the main body portion  31   g . Step portions  31   c  are formed individually at ends of a convexly projecting arc-shaped end face, which results when seen from thereabove, of each of the upper piece  31   a   1  and the lower piece  31   a   2  of the bifurcated projecting end portion  31   a.    
     As a plan view shown in  FIG. 6C  shows, an inter-piece wall  31   d  which is formed at a proximal or base portion of the bifurcated projecting end portion  31   a  to which the upper piece  31   a   1  and the lower piece  31   a   2  connect has a concavely receding arc shape. An engaging recess portion  31   e  is formed into a V-shaped groove which extends in the vertical direction at a center of the inter-piece wall  31   d . In addition, step portions  31   f  are formed individually at end portions of the inter-piece wall  31   d  having the concavely receding arc-shape when seen from thereabove. 
     A third common hole portion  34  is provided at the projecting end portion  31   a . The third common hole portion  34  includes an upper hole  34   a  which penetrates the upper piece  31   a   1  and a lower hole  34   b  which is formed in the lower piece  31   a   2  as a non-through hole. Thus, the lower hole  34   b  has a hole bottom portion  34   b   1 . The third common hole portion  34  has a diameter which is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  so that the shaft portion  42  can be inserted into the third common hole portion  34 . 
     The other projecting end portion  31   b  is formed into a flat plate which is thinner than the main body portion  31   g . Step portions  31   h  are formed individually at ends of the projecting end portion  31   b  having the convexly projecting arc shape when seen from thereabove. Further, a proximal or base portion of the other flat plate-shaped projecting end portion  31   b  is formed into proximal end walls  31   j  each having a concavely receding arc shape when seen from thereabove at a connecting portion with the main body portion  31   g , and these proximal end walls  31   j  are formed individually one an upper side and a lower side of the projecting end portion  31   b . Step portions  31   k  are formed individually at both ends of each of the upper and lower proximal end walls  31   j.    
     Here, a portion lying between the upper piece  31   a   1  and the lower piece  31   a   2  of the bifurcated projecting end portion  31   a  is configured so as to receive therein the other flat plate-shaped projecting end portion  31   b  of the other third base member  30 . Further, a space defined between the upper piece  31   a   1  and the lower piece  31   a   2  of the bifurcated projecting end portion  31   a  is the same as a space defined between the upper piece  13   a   1  and the lower piece  13   a   2  of each of the bifurcated end portions  11  of the first base member  10  shown in  FIG. 4B . Additionally, a thickness of the other projecting end portion  31   b  of the third base member  30  is the same as a thickness of the end portions  21   a  of the second base member  20  shown in  FIG. 5B . Thus, the projecting end portion  31   a  of the third base member  30  can be combined together with the other projecting end portion  31   b  of the other third base member  30  or one of the end portions  21   a  of the second base member  20 . Similarly, the other projecting end portion  31   b  of the third base member  30  can be combined together with one of the end portions  11  of the first base member  10 . 
     The other third common hole portion  35  is formed in the other projecting portion  31   b . A triangular engaging projecting portion  35   a  is provided on the other third common hole portion  35  with an apex thereof caused to face the center of the hole. The engaging projecting portion  35   a  is formed so as to extend along the full length of the other third common hole portion  35  from an upper end to a lower end thereof. The other third common hole portion  35  has such a diameter that enable the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  to be inserted thereinto. 
     In addition, third hole portions  36   a ,  36   b  are formed in two corner portions where the third base member  30  having the U-shape when seen from thereabove is bent. Further, a third hole portion  36   c  is also formed between the two third hole portions  36   a ,  36   b . Engaging projecting portions  36   a   1 ,  36   b   1 ,  36   c   2  are formed on the third hole portions  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c , respectively, which are referred to as third hole portions  36  altogether. The third hole portions  36  have such a diameter that enables the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  to be inserted thereinto. 
     A knitting start mark  38  and a setting mark  39  are provided on an upper surface  32   a  of the main body portion  31   g  of the third base member  30 . The knitting start mark  38  and the setting mark  39  have a shape which is copied from four-lobed clover. The knitting start mark  38  and the setting mark  39  are disposed on an opposite side of the engaging projecting portions  35   a ,  36   a   1 ,  36   c   1 ,  36   b   1  so that the knitting start mark  38  and the setting mark  39  are disposed near an inner edge of the third base member  30 . The engaging projecting portions  35   a ,  36   a   1 ,  36   c   1 ,  36   b   1  are disposed on an outer side of the third base member  30 . 
     Further, four space portions  37  are provided on the periphery of the third hole portions  36  on the main body portion  31   g  of the third base member  30  which is formed from a resin material through injection molding as so-called material removed portions. The space portions  37  are formed as non-through spaces. 
     As to the third members  30  which are formed in the way described above, the two third members  30  are combined together so as to form a small quadrangular base  70  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Next, the pin member  40  will be described by reference to  FIG. 7 . The pin member  40  is made up of the shaft portion  42  and the protuberant portion  44  which is formed at the upper end of the shaft portion  42 . The shaft portion  42  has a substantially cruciform cross section. Consequently, four groove portions  42   a  are formed on the shaft portion  42  so as to extend along an axial direction thereof. By adopting this configuration for the pin member  40 , the pin member  40  provides a design of unification together with the setting marks  19 ,  29 ,  39  and the knitting start mark  38  of the first base member  10 , the second base member  20  and the third base member  30 . Thus, it is possible to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the manual knitting devices  1 A,  1 B,  1 C. The shaft portion  42  is disposed about the axis thereof relative to the protuberant portion  44  in such a way that the groove portions  42   a  are matched individually to root lines  44   a  of the protuberant portion  44 . 
     When the pin member  40  is inserted into the first hole portion  15  of the first base member  10  shown in  FIG. 4A , anyone of the groove portions  42   a  of the shaft portion  42  is brought into engagement with the engaging projecting portion  15   b  of the first hole portion  15 . Then, a lower end of the shaft portion  42  is brought into abutment with the hole bottom portion  15   a  of the first hole portion  15 . This fixes the pin member  40  in place in the first hole portion  15  about the axis thereof. Similarly, also when the pin member  40  is inserted into the second hole portion  25  of the second base member  20  shown in  FIG. 5A  and the third hole portions  36   a ,  36   b ,  36   c  of the third base member shown in  FIG. 6A , anyone of the groove portions  42   a  is brought into engagement with the engaging projecting portions  25   a ,  36   a   1 ,  36   b   1 ,  36   c   1 . In this way, the groove portion  42   a  of the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  and each of the engaging projecting portions  15   b ,  24   a ,  25   a ,  36   a   1 ,  36   b   1 ,  36   c   1  make up an engaging portion. 
     In addition, the pin member  40  can be inserted into a hole which is formed by the first common hole portion  14  and the second common hole portion  24  are combined together coaxially as a result of the first base member  10  shown in  FIG. 4A to 4C  and the second base member  20  shown in  FIG. 5A to 5C  being combined together. As this occurs, the groove portion  42   a  of the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  is brought into engagement with the engaging projecting portion  24   a  of the second common hole portion  24 . The lower end of the shaft portion  42  is brought into abutment with the hole bottom portion  14   b   1  of the first common hole portion  14  (the lower hole  14   b ). Then, the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  are connected together so as to rotate relatively about the axis of the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  which is inserted commonly into the first common hole portion  14  and the second common hole portion  24 . 
     How the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  rotate relatively is shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8C .  FIG. 8A  shows a state in which the connecting engagement projecting portion  21   a   1  of one of the end portions  21   a  of the second base member  20  is in engagement with the first engaging recess portion  16   a  of the other end portion  11  of the first base member  10 . As this occurs, the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  are aligned in a straight line to be connected to each other. 
     The base  50  in the form shown in  FIG. 1  can be made up by connecting the first base members  10  and the second base members  20  in a straight line, connecting the projecting end portion  31   a  of the third base member  30  with one of the end portions  21   a  of the second base member  20  and connecting the other projecting end portion  31   b  of the third base member  30  with one of the end portions  11  of the first base member  10 . The base  50  so made up includes six first base members  10 , six second base members  20  and two third base members  30 . 
     Here, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the projecting end portion  31   a  of the third base member  30  is connected with one of the end portions  21   a  of the second base member  20  by inserting the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  into the third common hole portion  34  of the third base member  30  and the second common hole portion  24  of the second base member  20  which are aligned coaxially in the vertical direction. As this occurs, the groove portion  42   a  of the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  is brought into engagement with the engaging projecting portion  24   a  of the second common hole portion  24 , and the lower end of the shaft portion  42  is brought into abutment with the hole bottom portion  34   b   1 . Consequently, the pin member  40  which is inserted commonly into the second common hole portion  24  and the third common hole portion  34  is fixed in place therein so as not to rotate about the axis thereof. When the third base member  30  and the second base member  20  are connected together, the connecting engagement projecting portion  21   a   1  of one of the end portions  21   a  of the second member  20  is brought into engagement with the engaging recess portion  31   e  of the third base member  30 , and the abutment end portion  21   a   4  is brought into abutment with the step portion  31   f  of the third base member, whereby the rotation of the second base member  20  relative to the third base member  30  is restricted. 
     Similarly, the other projecting end portion  31   b  of the third base member  30  is connected with one of the end portions  11  of the first base member  10  by inserting the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  into the other third common hole portion  35  of the third base member  30  and the first common hole portion  14  of the first base member  10  which are aligned coaxially in the vertical direction. As this occurs, the groove portion  42   a  of the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  is brought into engagement with the engaging projecting portion  35   a  of the other third common hole portion  35 , and the lower end of the shaft portion  42  is brought into abutment with the hole bottom portion  14   b   1 . Consequently, the pin member  40  which is inserted commonly into the first common hole portion  14  and the other third common hole portion  35  is fixed in place therein so as not to rotate about the axis thereof. Additionally, as this occurs, the step portion  31   h  of the third base member  30  is brought into abutment with the abutment portion  13   c  of the first base member  10 , whereby the first base member  10  is restricted from rotating relative to the third base member  30 . 
     In the case of the base  50  being formed as shown in  FIG. 1 , the rotational position mark  18  of the first base member  10  is aligned with the first mark  26   a  of the second base member  20 . In addition, in case the first base member  10 , the second base member  20  and the third base member  30  are connected together by setting the members so that the respective setting marks  19 ,  29 ,  39  are caused to face inwards, the first, second and third base members can be combined together properly. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8B and 8C , the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  can be rotated relatively about the shaft portion  42  of the pin member  40  (in other words, about the axis of the first common hole portion  14  and the second common hole portion  24  which are aligned coaxially). In a state shown in  FIG. 8B , the connecting engagement projecting portion  21   a   1  is brought into engagement with the third engaging recess portion  16   c , whereby the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  are connected together at an angle of about 30 degrees. In the event that the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  are connected together in the way described above, the small circular base  60  shown in  FIG. 2  or a small circular base  60  shown in  FIG. 10A  can be made up. 
     As this occurs, the rotational position mark  18  of the first base member  10  is aligned with the third mark  26   c  of the second base member  20 . Consequently, even in the middle of combination, a connecting state between the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  can be grasped visually in an easy fashion by the small circular mark  26   c   1  which is provided so as to correspond to the third mark  26   c.    
     On the other hand, in a state shown in  FIG. 8C , the connecting engagement projecting portion  21   a   1  is brought into engagement with the second engaging recess portion  16   b , whereby the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  are connected together at an angle of about 20 degrees. In this case, a large circular base  60 A shown in  FIG. 10B  can be made up. As this occurs, the rotational position mark  18  of the first base member  10  is aligned with the second mark  26   b  of the second base member  20 , whereby the connecting state between the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  can easily be grasped together with the large circular mark  26   b   1 . 
     The small circular base  60  shown in  FIG. 10A  includes six first base members and six second base members  20 . The large circular base  60 A shown in  FIG. 10B  includes nine first base members  10  and nine second base members  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8A , the relative rotating direction of the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  is restricted to only one direction by the abutment of the abutment end portion  13   c  of the first base member  10  with the abutment end portion  21   a   4  of the second base member  20 . 
     The connecting engagement portion made up of the connecting engagement recess portion  16  (the first engaging recess portion  16   a , the second engaging recess portion  16   b , the third engaging recess portion  16   c ) and the connecting engagement projecting portion  21   a   1  is made or released by the relative rotation of the first base member  10  and the second base member  20 , whereby the relative rotational position between the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  can easily be determined. In particular, since the connecting engagement projecting portion  21   a   1  is elastically supported by the arc-shaped base portion  21   a   3 , a touch of click is generated when the connecting engagement projecting portion  21   a   1  is brought into engagement with the connecting engagement recess portion  16 , whereby the user can grasp the rotational position of the second base member  20  to the first base member  10  or vice versa. 
     Next, a first base member  210  will be described based on  FIG. 11A to 11C . A first base member  210  having a short rod shape is formed into a short flat plate having end portions  211  which are each formed into a convexly projecting arc shape when seen from thereabove, as shown in  FIG. 11A . Consequently, an upper surface  212   a  and a lower surface  212   b  of the first base member  210  are formed substantially flat. Then, as shown in  FIG. 11B , the end portions  211  of the first base member  210  are bifurcated when seen from the front. Here, an upper surface of an upper piece  213   a   1  of each of the end portions  211  constitutes a surface which continues flat to the upper surface  212   a  of the first base member  210 . Similarly, a lower surface of the lower piece  213   a   2  constitutes a surface which continues flat to the lower surface  212   b  of the first base member  210 . 
     In the first base member  210 , a first common hole portion  214  is formed in each of the end portions  211  in such a way as to be opened in a vertical direction. The first common hole portion  214  is formed so as to allow a shaft portion  242  of a pin member  240  to be inserted thereinto. Namely, the first common hole portion  214  is a hole which is opened to a diameter which is slightly larger than an outside diameter of the shaft portion  242 . The first common hole portion  214  has such a hole diameter that enables the shaft portion  242  of the pin member  240  to rotate freely therein. The first common hole portion  214  includes an upper hole  214   a  which is formed in the upper piece  213   a   1  of the bifurcated end portion  211 . The upper hole  214   a  penetrates the upper piece  213   a   1 . The upper hole  214   a  has three engaging recess portions  214   a   1 ,  214   a   2 ,  214   a   3  which are formed at equal intervals in a circumferential direction. The engaging recess portions  214   a   1 ,  214   a   2 ,  214   a   3  project outwards from a circumference of the upper hole  214   a  into a quadrangular shape when seen from thereabove. A bottom surface  245  of the pin member  240  is brought into abutment with an upper surface  214   b  of the lower piece  213   a.    
     A first hole portion  215 , which is a hole opened in the vertical direction, is provided in a longitudinally middle position of the first base member  210 . The first hole portion  215  constitutes a non-through hole and has a hole bottom portion  215   a . As a plan view shown in  FIG. 11A  shows, an engaging recess portion  215   b  is formed in the first hole portion  215  in such a way as to project outwards from a circumference of the hole into a quadrangular shape when seen from thereabove. The engaging recess portion  215   b  is formed so as to extend continuously from an open surface of the first hole portion  215  (that is, the upper surface  212   a ) to the hole bottom portion  215   a.    
     A connecting engagement projecting portion  211   a  is provided in a central position of an outer end of each of the end portions  211 . The connecting engagement projecting portion  211   a  is formed so as to extend from an upper surface to a lower surface of each of the end portions  211 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11C , when seen from thereabove, inter-piece walls  213   b  each having a concavely receding arc shape constitute proximal or base portions of the bifurcated end portions  211  from which the upper pieces  213   a   1  and the lower pieces  213   a   2  project. In addition, an end portion of (a lower end portion in  FIG. 11C ) of each inter-piece wall  213   b  is formed into a flat step-like abutment end portion  213   c . An acute angle portion  213   d  is formed at the other end portion (an upper end portion in  FIG. 11C ) of each inter-piece wall  21   b.    
     Space portions  217  are formed individually on longitudinal sides of the first hole portion  215  of the first base member  210 . These space portions  217  are non-through spaces which are formed so as to extend upwards from the lower surface  212   b . These space portions  217  constitute a so-called material removed portion resulting when the first base member  210  is formed from a resin material through injection molding. 
     Next, a second base member  220  will be described based on  FIG. 12A to 12C . As a plan view shown in  FIG. 12A  shows, the second base member  220  having a short rod shape is formed into a short flat plate whose end portions  221   a  have a convexly projecting arc shape. The end portions  221   a  are made thinner than a central portion  221   b  which lies between the end portions  221   a . The end portions  221   a  have a thickness which enables the end portions  221   a  to be inserted into the bifurcated end portions  211  (that is, between the upper piece  213   a   1  and the lower piece  213   a   2 ) of the adjacent first base members  210 . 
     Second common hole portions  224 , which are through holes, are provided individually at both the end portions  221   a . The second common hole portions  224  each have engaging recess portions  224   a ,  224   b ,  224   c . The engaging recess portions  224   a ,  224   b ,  224   c  are formed at equal intervals in a circumferential direction on a circumference of the second common hole portion  224  as quadrangular recesses when seen from thereabove with bottom portions thereof caused to face outwards of the circumference of the second common hole portion  224 . The intervals at which the engaging recess portions  224   a ,  224   b ,  224   c  of the second common hole portion  224  are disposed are larger than the intervals at which the engaging recess portions  214   a   1 ,  214   a   2 ,  214   a   3  of the first common hole portion  214  are disposed. 
     A step-like substantially flat abutment end portion  221   a   4  is formed at one end portion (that is, a lower end portion in  FIGS. 12A, 12C ) of each of arc-shaped base portions  221   a   3 . Further, an upper and lower proximal end walls  223 , each having an arc shape when seen from thereabove, are formed individually on an upper and lower sides of each of the end portions  221   a  at a connecting portion of the end portion  221   a  with the central portion  221   b.    
     The inter-piece walls  213   b  each have three connecting engagement recess portions  226  which include a first engaging recess portion  226   a , a second engaging recess portion  226   b  and a third engaging recess portion  226   c . The connecting engagement recess portions  226  are formed on the proximal end wall  223  as V-shaped grooves which extend therealong in the vertical direction. The first engaging recess portion  226   a  is provided in a middle position of the arc-shaped proximal end wall  223  when seen from thereabove. The second engaging recess portion  226   b  and the third engaging recess portion  226   c  are provided to lie adjacent to each other on one side (a lower side in  FIGS. 12A, 12C ) of the proximal end wall  223 . Acute angle portions  223   a  are formed individually at ends of each of the proximal end walls  223 . 
     A second common hole portion  225  is provided in a longitudinal center of the second base member  220 , and this second common hole portion  225  has a diameter which is the same as the diameter of the second common hole portions  224 . The second hole portion  225  is a non-through hole and has a hole bottom portion  225   b . Further, a quadrangular engaging recess portion  225   a  is formed on the second hole portion  225  so as to extend from an upper surface  222   a  to the hole bottom portion  225   b  with a bottom portion thereof caused to face outwards of a circumference of the hole. 
     The second hole portion  225  and the two second common hole portions  224  have the same diameter. The diameters of the second hole portion  225  and the two second common hole portions  224  are slightly larger than an outside diameter of the shaft portion  242  of the pin member  240 , so that the shaft portion  242  can be inserted thereinto. 
     Space portions  227 , which are non-through spaces, are formed individually on longitudinal sides of the second hole portion  225  so as to extend upwards from a lower surface  222   b  of the central portion  221   b  of the second base member. The space portions  227  are so-called material removed portions resulting when the second base member  220  is formed from a resin material through injection molding. 
     Next, a third base member  230  will be described based on  FIG. 13A to 13C . The third base member  230  is formed into a flat plate having a substantially U-shaped external shape when seen from thereabove. Two projecting end portions  231   a ,  231   b  of the third base member  230  each have a convexly projecting arc shape when seen from thereabove as shown in  FIG. 13A . In  FIG. 13A , a left projecting end portion  231   a  is bifurcated in the vertical direction. An upper piece  231   a   1  of the bifurcated projecting end portion  231   a  includes an upper surface which constitutes a surface which continues flat to an upper surface  232   g  of a main body portion  231   g . A lower piece  231   a   2  of the bifurcated projecting end portion  231   a  includes a lower surface which constitutes a surface which continues flat to a lower surface  232   b  of the main body portion  231   g.    
     A connecting engagement projecting portion  238  is provided in a central position of an outer end of the projecting portion  231   a  when seen from thereabove. The connecting engagement projecting portion  238  is formed so as to extend from the upper surface to a lower surface of the upper piece  231   a   1  and an upper surface to the lower surface of the lower piece  231   a   2  of the bifurcated projecting end portion  231 . Step portions  231   c  are formed individually at ends of the upper piece  231   a   1  and the lower piece  231   a   2  of the projecting end portion  231   a  having the convexly projecting arc shape when seen from thereabove. 
     An inter-piece wall  231   d  is formed at a base or proximal portion of the bifurcated projecting end portion  231  to which the upper piece  231   a   1  and the lower piece  231   a   2  are connected, and this inter-piece wall  231   d  has a concavely receding arc shape when seen from thereabove as shown in  FIG. 13C . A step portion  231   f  is formed at a left end portion of the inter-piece wall  231   d  having the concavely receding arc shape when seen from thereabove. 
     A third common hole portion  234  is provided at the bifurcated projecting portion  231   a . The third common hole portion  234  has an upper hole  234   a  which penetrates the upper piece  231   a   1 . The third common hole portion  234  has a diameter which is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the shaft portion  242  of the pin member  242  so that the shaft portion  242  can be inserted therethrough. 
     The other projecting end portion  231   b  is formed into a flat plate whose thickness is thinner than that of the main body portion  231   g . A step portion  231   h  is formed at a right end portion of the projecting end portion  231   b  having the convexly projecting arc shape when seen from thereabove, and a step portion  231   m  is formed at a left end portion of the projecting end portion  231   b . An upper and lower proximal end walls  231   j , each having a concavely receding arc shape when seen from thereabove, are formed on an upper and lower sides of the projecting end portion  231   b  base or proximal portion of the other flat plate-shaped projecting portion  231   b  at a connecting portion of the projecting end portion  231   b  with the main body portion  231   g.    
     A connecting engaging recess portion  239  is provided on each of the proximal end walls  231   j . The connecting engaging recess portion  239  is formed as a V-shaped groove which extends along the proximal end wall  231   j  in the vertical direction. The connecting engaging recess portion  239  is provided in a middle position of the proximal end wall  231   j  having concavely receding arc shape when seen from thereabove. Step portions  231   k  are formed individually at ends of each of the upper and lower proximal end walls  231   j.    
     Here, a space defined between the upper piece  231   a   1  and the lower piece  231   a   2  of the bifurcated projecting end portion  231   a  of this third base member  230  is configured so as to allow the other flat plate-shaped projecting end portion  231   b  of the other third base member  230  to be inserted thereinto. Further, the space defined between the upper piece  231   a   1  and the lower piece  231   a   2  of the bifurcated projecting end portion  231   a  is the same as the space defined between the upper piece  213   a   1  and the lower piece  213   a   2  of each of the end portions  211  of the first base member  210  shown in  FIG. 11B . In addition, a thickness of the other projecting end portion  231   b  of the third base member  230  is the same as the thickness of the end portions  221   a  shown in  FIG. 12B . Consequently, the projecting end portion  231   a  of the third base member  230  can be combined together the other projecting end portion  231   b  of the other third base member  230  and one of the end portions  221   a  of the second base member  220 . Similarly, the other projecting end portion of the third base member  230  can be combined together with one of the end portions  211  of the first base member  210 . 
     The other third common hole portion  235  is formed in the other projecting end portion  231   b . A quadrangular engaging recess portion  235   a  is provided on the third common hole portion  235  with a bottom portion thereof caused to face outwards of a circumference of the hole. The engaging recess portion  235   a  is formed so as to extend along the other third common hole portion  235  from an upper end to a lower end thereof. The other third common hole portion  235  has such a diameter that enables the shaft portion  242  of the pin member  240  to be inserted thereinto. 
     Third hole portions  236   a ,  236   b  are formed in two corner portions where the third base member  230  having the U-shape when seen from thereabove is bent. Further, a third hole portion  236   c  is also formed between the two third hole portions  236   a ,  236   b . Engaging recess portions  236   a   1 ,  236   b   1 ,  236   c   1  are formed on the third hole portions  236   a ,  236   b ,  236   c , respectively, which are referred to as third hole portions  236  altogether. The third hole portions  236  have such a diameter that enables the shaft portion  242  of the pin member  40  to be inserted thereinto. 
     Further, four space portions  237  are provided on the periphery of the third hole portions  236  in the main body portion  231   g  of the third base member  230  which is formed from a resin material through injection molding as material removed portions. The space portions  237  are formed as non-through space portions. 
     As with the base  70  shown in  FIG. 3 , with the third base member  230  which is configured in the way described heretofore, a small quadrangular base can be formed by combining two third base members  230  together. 
     Next, the pin member  240  will be described by reference to  FIG. 14 . The pin member  240  is formed by the shaft portion  242 , a protuberant portion  244  which is formed at an upper end of the shaft portion  242  so as to protrude therefrom, and an inserting portion  243  which is formed at a lower end of the shaft portion  242 . The shaft portion  242  has a substantially cruciform cross section. Consequently, four groove portions  242   a  are formed on the shaft portion  242  so as to extend along an axial direction thereof. When seen from thereabove, the protuberant portion  244  has a shape which is copied from so-called four-lobed clover. The shaft portion  242  is disposed about the axis thereof relative to the protuberant portion  244  in such away that the groove portions  242   a  are matched individually to root lines  244   a  of the protuberant portion  244 . The inserting portion  243  has a circular cylindrical shape, and an engaging projecting portion  243   a  having a quadrangular cross section is formed to extend from an upper surface to a bottom surface of the inserting portion  243 . 
     When inserting the pin member  240  into the first hole portion  215  of the first base member  210  shown in  FIG. 11A , the engaging projecting portion  243   a  of the inserting portion  243  is brought into engagement with the engaging recess portion  215   b  of the first hole portion  215 . The bottom surface  245  of the inserting portion  243  is brought into abutment with the hole bottom portion  215   a  of the first hole portion  215 . Then, the pin member  240  is fixed in place in the first hole portion  215  so as not to rotate about the axis thereof. Similarly, also when inserting the pin member  240  into the second hole portion  225  of the second base member  220  shown in  FIG. 12A  and the third hole portions  236   a ,  236   b ,  236   c  of the third base member  230  shown in  FIG. 13A , the engaging projecting portion  243   a  of the inserting portion  243  is brought into engagement with the engaging recess portions  225   a ,  236   a   1 ,  236   b   1 ,  236   c   1 . In this way, an engaging portion is made up by the engaging projecting portion  243   a  of the inserting portion  243  of the pin member  240  and one of the engaging recess portions  215   b ,  224   a ,  225   a ,  236   a   1 ,  236   b   1 ,  236   c   1 . 
     In addition, this pin member  240  can be inserted into a hole resulting when the first common hole portion  214  and the second common hole portion  224  are combined together coaxially in the vertical direction as a result of the first base member  210  shown in  FIG. 11A  and the second base member  220  shown in  FIG. 12A  being combined together. As this occurs, the engaging projecting portion  243   a  of the inserting portion  243  of the pin member  240  is brought into engagement with the engaging recess portion  224   a  of the second common hole portion  224 . Following this, the bottom surface  245  of the inserting portion  243  is brought into abutment with the upper surface  214   b  of the lower piece  213   a   2  which is situated below the first common hole portion  214 . Then, in such a state that the pin member  240  is not inserted into the first and second common hole portions  214 ,  224  which are combined coaxially, the first base member  210  and the second base member  220  are allowed to rotate relatively about the first and second common hole portions  214 ,  224  which are combined coaxially, whereas with the pin member  240  inserted into the first and second common hole portions  214 ,  224 , the first base member  210  and the second base member  220  are restricted from rotating relatively. 
     How the first base member  210  and the second base member  220  rotate relatively is shown in  FIGS. 15A to 15C .  FIG. 15A  shows a case where the connecting engagement projecting portion  211   a  of one of the end portions  211   a  of the first base member  210  is in engagement with the first engaging recess portion  226   a  of the other end portion  221   a  of the second base member  220 . In this case, the first base member  210  and the second base member  220  are aligned in a straight line to be connected together. 
     The base  50  in the form shown in  FIG. 1  can be made up by connecting the first base members  210  and the second base members  220  in a straight line, connecting the projecting end portion  231   a  of the third base member  230  with one of the end portions  221   a  of the second base member  220  and connecting the other projecting end portion  231   b  of the third base member  230  with one of the end portions  211  of the first base member  210 . The base  50  so made up includes six first base members  210 , six second base members  220  and two third base members  230 . 
     Here, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the projecting end portion  231   a  of the third base member  230  is connected with one of the end portions  221   a  of the second base member  220  by inserting the inserting portion  243  of the shaft portion  242  of the pin member  240  into the third common hole portion  234  of the third base member  230  and the second common hole portion  224  of the second base member  220  which are aligned coaxially in the vertical direction. As this occurs, the engaging projecting portion  243   a  of the inserting portion  243  of the pin member  240  is brought into engagement with the engaging recess portion  224   a  of the second common hole portion  224 , and the bottom surface  245  of the inserting portion  243  is brought into abutment with the upper surface  234   b  of the lower piece  231   a . Consequently, the pin member  240  which is inserted commonly into the second common hole portion  224  and the third common hole portion  234  is fixed in place therein so as not to rotate about the axis thereof. When the third base member  230  and the second base member  220  are connected together, the first engaging recess portion  226   a  of one of the end portions  221   a  of the second base member  220  is brought into engagement with the engaging projecting portion  238  of the third base member  230 , and the abutment end portion  221   a   4  is brought into abutment with the step portion  231   f , whereby the second base member  220  is restricted from rotating relative to the third base member  230 . 
     Similarly, the other projecting end portion  231   b  of the third base member  230  is connected with one of the end portions  211  of the first base member  210  by inserting the inserting portion  243  of the pin member  240  into the other third common hole portion  235  of the third base member  230  and the first common hole portion  214  of the first base member  210  which are aligned coaxially in the vertical direction. As this occurs, the engaging projecting portion  243   a  of the inserting portion  243  of the pin member  240  is brought into engagement with the engaging recess portion  214   a   1  of the first common hole portion  214  and the engaging recess portion  235   a  of the other third common hole portion  235 , and the bottom surface  245  of the inserting portion  243  is brought into abutment with the upper surface  214   b  of the lower piece  213   a   2 . Consequently, the pin member  240  which is inserted commonly into the first common hole portion  214  and the other third common hole portion  235  is fixed in place therein so as not to rotate about the axis thereof. Additionally, as this occurs, the step portion  231   h  of the third base member  230  is brought into abutment with the abutment portion  213   c  of the first base member  210 , whereby the first base member  210  is restricted from rotating relative to the third base member  230 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15B and 15C , the first base member  210  and the second base member  220  can be rotated relatively about the axis of the first common hole portion  214  and the second common hole portion  224  into which the pin member  240  is inserted. In a state shown in  FIG. 15B , the connecting engagement projecting portion  211   a  is brought into engagement with the third engaging recess portion  226   c , whereby the first base member  210  and the second base member  220  are connected together at an angle of about 30 degrees by inserting the pin member  240  into the first common hole portion  214  and the second common hole portion  224 . In the event that the first base member  210  and the second base member  220  are connected together in the way described above, the small circular base  60  shown in  FIG. 2  or the small circular base  60  shown in  FIG. 10A  can be made up. 
     On the other hand, in a state shown in  FIG. 15C , the connecting engagement projecting portion  211   a  is brought into engagement with the second engaging recess portion  226   b , whereby the first base member  210  and the second base member  220  are connected together at an angle of about 20 degrees. In this case, the large circular base  60 A shown in  FIG. 10B  can be made up. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15A , the relative rotating direction of the first base member  210  and the second base member  220  is restricted to only one direction by the abutment of the abutment end portion  213   c  of the first base member  210  with the abutment end portion  221   a   4  of the second base member  220 . 
     The connecting engagement portion made up of the connecting engagement recess portion  226  (the first engaging recess portion  226   a , the second engaging recess portion  226   b , the third engaging recess portion  226   c ) and the connecting engagement projecting portion  211   a  is made or released by the relative rotation of the first base member  210  and the second base member  220 , whereby the relative rotational position between the first base member  210  and the second base member  220  can easily be determined. The manual knitting device according to the second embodiment may include a rotational position mark  18 , a mark  26  and setting marks  19 ,  29 ,  39  as with the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment. 
     The engaging recess portions  214   a   1 ,  214   a   2 ,  214   a   3  of the first common hole portions  214  of the first base member  210 , the engaging recess portions  224   a ,  224   b ,  224   c  of the second common hole portions  224  of the second base member  220 , the engaging recess portion  234   a  of the third common hole portion  234  and the engaging recess portion  235   a  of the other third common hole portion  235  of the third base member  230  are fixed by the engaging projecting portions  243   a  of the inserting portions  243  of the pin members  240 , whereby the first base member  210 , the second base member  220  and the third base member  230  are connected strongly and rigidly. 
     Namely, in the case of the first engaging recess portion  226   a  of the connecting engagement recess portion  226  being brought into engagement with the connecting engagement projecting portion  211   a , the engaging recess portion  214   a  communicates with the engaging recess portion  224   a . Similarly, in the case of the second engaging recess portion  226   b  being brought into engagement with the connecting engagement projecting portion  211   a , the engaging recess portion  214   a   3  communicates with the engaging recess portion  224   c.    
     The manual knitting devices  1 A,  1 B,  1 C which are built up as has been described heretofore adopts basically the following knitting method. In the event that a hook  90  shown in  FIG. 17  is used, it is possible to prepare knitted fabric more simply and easily using the manual knitting devices  1 A,  1 B,  1 C. In addition, in the event that a hook  91  shown in  FIG. 18  is used, the operability and safety can be enhanced because even a child can hold the hook  91  easily and a distal end of the hook  91  is short. 
     A basic knitting operation will be described based on  FIGS. 19 and 20  by taking the form of the rectangular base  50  for example. Although the basic knitting operation will be described by using the manual knitting device according to the first embodiment, the manual knitting device according to the second embodiment also adopts the same knitting operation. Hence, the basic knitting operation adopted by the manual knitting device of the second embodiment will be omitted here. Firstly, as shown in  FIG. 19 , a loop  120  is formed at an end portion of yarn  110  such as wool. The loop  120  is hooked on the pin member  40 . As this occurs, in the event that the yarn is hooked on the pin member  40  of the third base member  30  which lies close to the knitting start mark  38 , the start of knitting can be recognized even in the middle of knitting. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 20 , the yarn  110  is wound once around the adjacent pin member  40  from an outer side to an inner side of the manual knitting device  1 A (the shaft portion  42 ) while stretching lightly the yarn  110 . As this occurs, the yarn  110  is wound around the pin member  40  in such a way that the yarn which is turned back around the shaft portion  42  is disposed on an upper side (upper yarn  111 ). Then, a distal end of the hook  90  is caused to follow the groove portion  42   a  of the shaft portion  42  to lift up the yarn  110  disposed on a lower side (lower yarn  112 ) so that the lower yarn  112  is moved over the protuberant portion  44  of the pin member  40  so as to be positioned on an inner side (a side facing the opening portion  54 ). This series of operations is performed on all the pin members  40  and is repeated in a predetermined number of times, whereby knitted fabric is prepared. When knitted fabric of a predetermined size is prepared, the knitted fabric is removed from the manual knitting device  1 A, and an end portion of the knitted fabric is treated properly or fastened with a knitting needle, whereby the knitted fabric is completed. 
     The user can select a sequence of hooking the yarn on the pin members  40  as required according to a kind of knitted fabric to be prepared. Additionally, a decorative article such as a bead can be passed over the yarn as required or can be engaged with the yarn to be knitted into knitted fabric in the middle of knitting. Further, the groove portions  42   a  are provided on the four sides of the pin member  40 . Consequently, in the above description, the yarn wound around the pin member  40  is described as being turned back from the outer side to the inner side. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and hence, a knitting method can be adopted of turning back the yarn from the inner side to the outer side or from one side to the other side in a left-to-right direction of the pin member  40 . 
     Thus, as has been described heretofore, it is possible to prepare the manual knitting devices  1 A,  1 B,  1 C of different sizes and shapes easily by preparing the pluralities of first base members  10 , second base members  20  and third base members  30  and connecting arbitrary numbers of first members  10 , second members  20  and third members  30  together. Consequently, the user can prepare pieces of knitted fabric of various sizes and kinds easily. 
     Since the marks such as the setting marks  19 ,  29 ,  39  are provided as required on the upper surfaces of the constituent members and the rotational direction of the first base member  10  and the second base member  20  is restricted, the manual knitting devices  1 A,  1 B,  1 C are prepared as a manual knitting device which is easy to be handled by people of a wide range of ages from children to adults. 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments that have been described above and hence can be carried out in various forms. For example, a pin member  40 A shown in  FIG. 21  can be used in place of the pin member  40  shown in  FIG. 7 . The pin member  40 A is formed by a shaft portion  42 A and a protuberant portion  44 A. Then, a V-shaped groove portion  46 A is provided along an axis of the shaft portion  42 A from the shaft portion  42 A to the protuberant portion  44 A. According to the pin member  40 A configured in the way described above, the yarn can easily be turned back across the protuberant portion  44 A only by moving the distal end of the hook  90  from bottom to top along the groove portion  46 . 
     Here, in the event that the manual knitting devices  1 A,  1 B,  1 C are built up in such a way that the setting marks  19 ,  29 ,  39  are situated on the inner side, the engaging projecting portions  15   b ,  24   a ,  25   a ,  35   a ,  36   a   1 ,  36   c   1 ,  36   b   1  of the hole portions of the constituent members that can be brought into engagement with the groove portion  46 A are caused to face the same side, that is, the outer side. Then, in the case of the pin member  40 A shown in  FIG. 21  being used, since the groove portion  46 A is caused to face outwards at all times, the manual knitting device can easily be built up. 
     In the event that the pin member  40  shown in  FIG. 7  is inserted in the third hole portions  36   a ,  36   b  disposed at the two corner portions of the third base member  30 , the yarn can be turned back from the two directions or four directions by the hook  90 . For example, in the case of the manual knitting device  1 A shown in  FIG. 1 , the yarn can be turned back to the inner side of the pin member  40  from either of the two directions or from either of the long side portion  51  side and the short side  52  side by moving the hook  90  along the groove portion  42   a  of the shaft portion  42 . 
     The numbers of hole portions of the first base member  10 , the second base member  20  and the third base member  30  are not limited to those described in the embodiments but can be increased or decreased as required. In addition, the pin member  40  can be given a different color from those of the first base member  10 , the second base member  20  and the third base member  30 . Alternatively, in the plurality of pin members, only the pin member which constitutes a mark such as a knitting start mark can be formed in a different color from those of the remaining pin members. 
     The engaging projecting portions  24   a  of the second common hole portions  24  of the second base member  20  can be deleted. Then, engaging projecting portions may be provided on the lower holes  14   b  of the first common hole portions  14  of the first base member  10  so as to be brought into engagement with the groove portion  42   a  of the pin member  40  or the groove portion  46 A of the pin member  40 A. As this occurs, the pin members  40 ,  40 A are provided on the first base member  10  so as to be erected therefrom, so that knitting can be performed on the first base member  10  alone. 
     In addition, although a configuration can be adopted in which the engaging projecting portions  15   b ,  24   a ,  25   a ,  35   a ,  36   a   1 ,  36   c   1 ,  36   b   1  of the hole portions of the members which can be brought into engagement with the groove portion  42   a  or the groove portion  46 A can be deleted so that the pin members  40 ,  40 A are not fixed so as to rotate about the axes thereof, in the event that those engaging projecting portions are provided so that the pin members are fixed in place so as not to rotate about the axes thereof, knitting can preferably be facilitated.