Machines: Difference between revisions
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== | == Manufacturers == | ||
=== Domestic & Hobbyist === | |||
* [[Brother]] (Includes [[KnitKing]], [[Jones]], and [[Defendi]] rebrands) | * [[Brother]] (Includes [[KnitKing]], [[Jones]], and [[Defendi]] rebrands) | ||
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* [[Artisan]] / [[Taitexma]] / [[Creative]] (Modern Chinese manufacturers producing clones of vintage Brother and Silver Reed models) | * [[Artisan]] / [[Taitexma]] / [[Creative]] (Modern Chinese manufacturers producing clones of vintage Brother and Silver Reed models) | ||
=== Hand-Crank & Circular Sock Machines (CSM) === | |||
* [[Lamb]] (Famous for the [[Lamb LT 150]] and early [[Lamb Tuttle]] models) | * [[Lamb]] (Famous for the [[Lamb LT 150]] and early [[Lamb Tuttle]] models) | ||
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* [[Addi]] / [[Sentro]] (Modern plastic circular machines for hobbyists) | * [[Addi]] / [[Sentro]] (Modern plastic circular machines for hobbyists) | ||
=== Professional & Industrial === | |||
* [[Dubied]] (Swiss V-bed machines; models include the [[Dubied NH]], [[Dubied MR]], and [[Dubied MM]]) | * [[Dubied]] (Swiss V-bed machines; models include the [[Dubied NH]], [[Dubied MR]], and [[Dubied MM]]) | ||
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* [[Santoni]] (Italian leader in seamless "circular" garment technology) | * [[Santoni]] (Italian leader in seamless "circular" garment technology) | ||
== Brands == | |||
=== Brother Related Brands === | |||
[[Knit King]] (The primary brand for Brother machines in the US market) | * [[Knit King]] (The primary brand for Brother machines in the US market) | ||
[[Jones]] (The brand used for Brother machines in the UK) | * [[Jones]] (The brand used for Brother machines in the UK) | ||
[[Knitmaster]] (Early Brother machines were occasionally sold under this name in Europe) | * [[Knitmaster]] (Early Brother machines were occasionally sold under this name in Europe) | ||
Silver Reed Related Brands | === Silver Reed Related Brands === | ||
[[Studio]] (The primary brand for Silver Reed in the US and Canada) | * [[Studio]] (The primary brand for Silver Reed in the US and Canada) | ||
[[Singer]] (In many markets, including Australia and parts of Europe, Silver Reed machines were sold as Singers) | * [[Singer]] (In many markets, including Australia and parts of Europe, Silver Reed machines were sold as Singers) | ||
[[Empisal]] (The brand used for Silver Reed in South Africa and parts of the UK) | * [[Empisal]] (The brand used for Silver Reed in South Africa and parts of the UK) | ||
[[Knitmaster]] (The primary brand for Silver Reed machines in the UK) | * [[Knitmaster]] (The primary brand for Silver Reed machines in the UK) | ||
[[Viscount]] (A brand name used for Silver Reed models in various regions) | * [[Viscount]] (A brand name used for Silver Reed models in various regions) | ||
=== Superba Related Brands === | |||
[[White]] (The brand name for Superba machines in the US) | * [[White]] (The brand name for Superba machines in the US) | ||
[[Singer]] (Note: Singer also sold French-made Superba machines, which are dual-bed units) | * [[Singer]] (Note: Singer also sold French-made Superba machines, which are dual-bed units) | ||
[[Phildar]] (A French brand for Superba machines) | * [[Phildar]] (A French brand for Superba machines) | ||
=== Toyota Related Brands === | |||
[[Elna]] (Many Toyota machines were sold under the Elna name, particularly in Europe) | * [[Elna]] (Many Toyota machines were sold under the Elna name, particularly in Europe) | ||
[[Elena]] (A variant branding for Toyota models) | * [[Elena]] (A variant branding for Toyota models) | ||
=== Passap Related Brands === | |||
[[Pfaff]] (Passap machines were rebranded as Pfaff after the companies merged/collaborated in later years) | * [[Pfaff]] (Passap machines were rebranded as Pfaff after the companies merged/collaborated in later years) | ||
=== Miscellaneous & Department Store Brands === | |||
[[Sears]] (Sold various rebadged machines, often Kenmore or Brother-based) | * [[Sears]] (Sold various rebadged machines, often Kenmore or Brother-based) | ||
[[Montgomery Ward]] (Often sold Brother rebadges) | * [[Montgomery Ward]] (Often sold Brother rebadges) | ||
[[Penney's]] (JCPenney sold various Japanese-made machines under their house brand) | * [[Penney's]] (JCPenney sold various Japanese-made machines under their house brand) | ||
== Machine Table == | == Machine Table == | ||
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|blank_on_no_results=true | |blank_on_no_results=true | ||
}} | }} | ||
== Aftermarket Modifications == | |||
Beyond original factory accessories, the maker community has developed several hardware and software modifications to modernize vintage machines or add new functionality. | |||
=== Electronic Patterning & Interfaces === | |||
These modifications replace or bypass original proprietary electronics to allow for modern computer-aided design (CAD) integration. | |||
* [[AYAB]] (All Yarns Are Beautiful): An open-source hardware/software interface that replaces the "brains" of Brother KH-9xx electronic machines, allowing them to be controlled via USB. | |||
* [[Img2Track]]: A software solution for Brother machines that allows users to upload photographic images and complex patterns without needing a hardware hack. | |||
* [[DAK]] (DesignaKnit) Integration: Third-party cables (e.g., [[Silver Link]]) that connect electronic machines to professional patterning software. | |||
=== Motorization & Automation === | |||
* [[DIY Motor Drives]]: Custom-built motor systems using Arduinos, stepper motors, and timing belts to automate the carriage movement. | |||
* [[External Power Supplies]]: Replacing aging internal capacitors and power boards with modern, stable switching power supplies. | |||
* [[Paper Tape Emulators]]: Hardware that mimics the input of vintage paper-tape readers for industrial machines like the [[Dubied JET 2]]. | |||
=== Hardware Ergonomics & Utility === | |||
* [[LED Needle Bed Lighting]]: Custom LED strips mounted to the underside of the yarn mast or machine lid to improve visibility of the needles and stitches. | |||
* [[3D Printed Parts]]: Custom-designed needle bed extenders, row counter triggers, and replacement gears (often for machines with "planned obsolescence" parts like the Brother punchcard drums). | |||
* [[Tension Mast Modifications]]: Adding secondary tension springs or ceramic eyelets to handle "difficult" technical yarns like wire, conductive thread, or high-twist linen. | |||
=== Software & Compilers === | |||
* [[Knitout]]: An open-source intermediate representation for knitting patterns, designed to work across different types of industrial and modified domestic machines. | |||
Latest revision as of 11:20, 8 February 2026
Manufacturers[edit]
Domestic & Hobbyist[edit]
- Singer/Silver Reed (Includes Knitmaster, Studio, Empisal, and Seiko)
- Bond (Mostly plastic-bed mid-gauge machines; known as the "Incredible Sweater Machine")
- Knittax (Early German-engineered manual and punchcard machines)
- Corona (Japanese manufacturer of both standard and bulky machines)
- Juki (Japanese manufacturer known for unique early manual models)
- Artisan / Taitexma / Creative (Modern Chinese manufacturers producing clones of vintage Brother and Silver Reed models)
Hand-Crank & Circular Sock Machines (CSM)[edit]
- Lamb (Famous for the Lamb LT 150 and early Lamb Tuttle models)
- Erlbacher (Modern manufacturer of Gearhart-style circular sock machines)
Professional & Industrial[edit]
- Shima Seiki (The Japanese leader in modern computerized "WholeGarment" knitting)
- Stoll (German industrial flat-bed leader, now part of the Karl Mayer Group)
- Kniterate (Digital "desktop" industrial knitting machine for small studios)
- Mayer & Cie. (German circular knitting manufacturer)
- Santoni (Italian leader in seamless "circular" garment technology)
Brands[edit]
Brother Related Brands[edit]
- Knit King (The primary brand for Brother machines in the US market)
- Jones (The brand used for Brother machines in the UK)
- Knitmaster (Early Brother machines were occasionally sold under this name in Europe)
Silver Reed Related Brands[edit]
- Studio (The primary brand for Silver Reed in the US and Canada)
- Singer (In many markets, including Australia and parts of Europe, Silver Reed machines were sold as Singers)
- Empisal (The brand used for Silver Reed in South Africa and parts of the UK)
- Knitmaster (The primary brand for Silver Reed machines in the UK)
- Viscount (A brand name used for Silver Reed models in various regions)
Superba Related Brands[edit]
- White (The brand name for Superba machines in the US)
- Singer (Note: Singer also sold French-made Superba machines, which are dual-bed units)
- Phildar (A French brand for Superba machines)
Toyota Related Brands[edit]
- Elna (Many Toyota machines were sold under the Elna name, particularly in Europe)
- Elena (A variant branding for Toyota models)
Passap Related Brands[edit]
- Pfaff (Passap machines were rebranded as Pfaff after the companies merged/collaborated in later years)
Miscellaneous & Department Store Brands[edit]
- Sears (Sold various rebadged machines, often Kenmore or Brother-based)
- Montgomery Ward (Often sold Brother rebadges)
- Penney's (JCPenney sold various Japanese-made machines under their house brand)
Machine Table[edit]
Below is a sortable list of all knitting machines currently in the database:
| Manufacturer | ModelName | Gauge | Type | Needles | ReleaseYear | Aliases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brother | KH 210 | Bulky | Domestic | 110 | 1,970 | Brother Chunky Manual |
| Brother | KH 230 | Bulky | Domestic | 110 | 1,982 | Brother Bulky 9 |
| Brother | KH 341 | Standard | Domestic | 200 | 1,980 | Brother Foldaway |
| Brother | KH 400 | Standard | Domestic | 200 | 1,988 | Brother Convertible |
| Brother | KH 552 | Standard | Domestic | 200 | 1,968 | Jones KH 552 |
| Brother | KH-800 | Standard | Domestic | 200 | 1,971 | Jones KH-800 |
| Brother | KH-801 | Standard | Domestic | 200 | 1,973 | Jones KH-801 |
| Brother | KH-810 | Standard | Domestic | 200 | 1,975 | Jones KH-810 |
| Brother | KH-881 | Standard | Domestic | 200 | 1,983 | KnitKing SS-881 • Jones KH-881 |
| Brother | KX 350 | Mid | Domestic | 132 | 1,985 | Brother Home Knitter |
| Dubied | JET 2 | Variable (5-cut to 12-cut) | Electronic Flat Machine | 1,978 | Dubied JET | |
| Dubied | MM | Variable (5-cut to 14-cut) | V-Bed Industrial | 1,930 | Dubied Master | |
| Dubied | MR | Variable (5-cut to 14-cut) | V-Bed Industrial | 1,940 | Dubied Moderne | |
| Dubied | NH | Variable (5-cut to 14-cut) | V-Bed Industrial | 1,920 | Dubied Normal | |
| Lamb | Class 1 | Variable (typically 5 to 9) | V-Bed Flat | 1,867 | Original Lamb • Lamb V-Bed | |
| Lamb | LT 150 | Variable (Cylinder dependent) | Circular Sock Machine | 2,017 | Modern Tuttle | |
| Silver Reed | SK 210 | Standard (4.5mm) | Metal Bed Manual | 200 | Singer 210 • Studio 210 |
Aftermarket Modifications[edit]
Beyond original factory accessories, the maker community has developed several hardware and software modifications to modernize vintage machines or add new functionality.
Electronic Patterning & Interfaces[edit]
These modifications replace or bypass original proprietary electronics to allow for modern computer-aided design (CAD) integration.
- AYAB (All Yarns Are Beautiful): An open-source hardware/software interface that replaces the "brains" of Brother KH-9xx electronic machines, allowing them to be controlled via USB.
- Img2Track: A software solution for Brother machines that allows users to upload photographic images and complex patterns without needing a hardware hack.
- DAK (DesignaKnit) Integration: Third-party cables (e.g., Silver Link) that connect electronic machines to professional patterning software.
Motorization & Automation[edit]
- DIY Motor Drives: Custom-built motor systems using Arduinos, stepper motors, and timing belts to automate the carriage movement.
- External Power Supplies: Replacing aging internal capacitors and power boards with modern, stable switching power supplies.
- Paper Tape Emulators: Hardware that mimics the input of vintage paper-tape readers for industrial machines like the Dubied JET 2.
Hardware Ergonomics & Utility[edit]
- LED Needle Bed Lighting: Custom LED strips mounted to the underside of the yarn mast or machine lid to improve visibility of the needles and stitches.
- 3D Printed Parts: Custom-designed needle bed extenders, row counter triggers, and replacement gears (often for machines with "planned obsolescence" parts like the Brother punchcard drums).
- Tension Mast Modifications: Adding secondary tension springs or ceramic eyelets to handle "difficult" technical yarns like wire, conductive thread, or high-twist linen.
Software & Compilers[edit]
- Knitout: An open-source intermediate representation for knitting patterns, designed to work across different types of industrial and modified domestic machines.