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Brother KH 881: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "{{Machine |ModelName=KH-881 |Manufacturer=Brother |Gauge=Standard |Type=Domestic |Patterning=24 stitch punch card |Needles=200 |ReleaseYear=1983 |Accessories=Lace Carriage, Sinkers, Extensions, Built-in Knitleader |Aliases=KnitKing SS-881, Jones KH-881 }} The '''Brother KH-881''' is a highly regarded standard gauge punchcard knitting machine. It is functionally very similar to the KH-891, with its most notable feature being the integrated '''Knitleader''' (a built-in ch..."
 
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The '''Brother KH-881''' is a highly regarded standard gauge punchcard knitting machine. It is functionally very similar to the KH-891, with its most notable feature being the integrated '''Knitleader''' (a built-in charting device for garment shaping).
The '''Brother KH-881''' is a standard gauge (4.5mm) punchcard knitting machine produced by the Brother Industries in the early 1980s. It is widely considered one of the most versatile mechanical machines due to its integrated charting device.<ref name="MKETC">"Brother Service Manual: KH-881", Machine Knitting etc. [https://machineknittingetc.com/brother-kh881-service-manual.html accessed Feb 2026]</ref>


== Features ==
== Features ==
* '''Built-in Knitleader:''' Allows the knitter to follow full-scale paper patterns for shaping without manual calculation.
* '''Built-in Knitleader:''' Unlike previous models that required an external attachment (like the KL-116), the 881 features a built-in "KL" style charting device for garment shaping.<ref>Guagliumi, Susan. ''Hand-Manipulated Stitches for Machine Knitters'', 1990.</ref>
* '''Punchcard System:''' Standard 24-stitch repeat for fair isle, tuck, slip, and weave.
* '''Punchcard System:''' Utilizes the standard Brother 24-stitch repeat system, compatible with a vast library of pre-punched cards for tuck, slip, fair isle, and weaving.
* '''Lace Capability:''' Usually bundled with a dedicated lace carriage.
* '''Lace Carriage:''' The KH-881 was typically bundled with a lace carriage capable of "fashion lace" (transfer and knit in one pass) and simple lace.<ref>Brother KH-881 User Guide, Section 4: Lace Knitting.</ref>
* '''Sponge Bar:''' Uses a standard 4.5mm Brother sponge bar.
 
== Technical Specifications ==
* '''Pitch:''' 4.5mm
* '''Needle Bed:''' Stainless steel with 200 needles.
* '''Weight:''' Approx. 13kg.


== Maintenance ==
== Maintenance ==
As with most vintage Brother machines, the most common point of failure is a degraded [[Sponge Bar]]. Before use, ensure the needles are properly pressed down by a fresh foam strip to avoid carriage jams.
The KH-881 is known for its "bulletproof" metal construction, but like all vintage Brother machines, it requires a functional '''Sponge Bar''' (Needle Retaining Bar) to prevent carriage damage and needle crashes.  
 
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


== See Also ==
[[Category:Brother Knitting Machines]]
* [[Brother KH-891]] (The successor model)
[[Category:Punchcard Knitting Machines]]
* [[Knitleader]]

Latest revision as of 16:10, 7 February 2026


Brother KH-881
Manufacturer Brother
Model KH-881
Gauge Standard
Type Domestic
Patterning 24 stitch punch card
Needles 200
Release Year 1983
Accessories Lace Carriage, Sinkers, Extensions, Built-in Knitleader
Also Known As KnitKing SS-881, Jones KH-881


The Brother KH-881 is a standard gauge (4.5mm) punchcard knitting machine produced by the Brother Industries in the early 1980s. It is widely considered one of the most versatile mechanical machines due to its integrated charting device.[1]

Features[edit]

  • Built-in Knitleader: Unlike previous models that required an external attachment (like the KL-116), the 881 features a built-in "KL" style charting device for garment shaping.[2]
  • Punchcard System: Utilizes the standard Brother 24-stitch repeat system, compatible with a vast library of pre-punched cards for tuck, slip, fair isle, and weaving.
  • Lace Carriage: The KH-881 was typically bundled with a lace carriage capable of "fashion lace" (transfer and knit in one pass) and simple lace.[3]

Technical Specifications[edit]

  • Pitch: 4.5mm
  • Needle Bed: Stainless steel with 200 needles.
  • Weight: Approx. 13kg.

Maintenance[edit]

The KH-881 is known for its "bulletproof" metal construction, but like all vintage Brother machines, it requires a functional Sponge Bar (Needle Retaining Bar) to prevent carriage damage and needle crashes.

References[edit]

Template:Reflist

  1. "Brother Service Manual: KH-881", Machine Knitting etc. accessed Feb 2026
  2. Guagliumi, Susan. Hand-Manipulated Stitches for Machine Knitters, 1990.
  3. Brother KH-881 User Guide, Section 4: Lace Knitting.