Brother KH 800: Difference between revisions
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The Brother | {{Machine | ||
|ModelName=KH-800 | |||
|Manufacturer=Brother | |||
|Gauge=Standard | |||
|Type=Domestic | |||
|Patterning=Push button | |||
|Needles=200 | |||
|ReleaseYear=1971 | |||
|Accessories=Lace Carriage, Extension Rails, Table Clamps | |||
|Aliases=Jones KH-800 | |||
}} | |||
The '''Brother KH-800''' is a standard gauge (4.5mm) manual knitting machine. Released in the early 1970s, it is historically significant for introducing the 8-button patterning mechanism that preceded the modern punchcard system.<ref name="BrotherHistory">"History of Brother Knitting Machines," Brother Industries Archive. [https://www.brother.com/en/corporate/history/ accessed Feb 2026]</ref> | |||
== Historical Context == | |||
Before the advent of the 24-stitch punchcard, Brother utilized a system of 8 buttons to select needles for patterning. The KH-800 allowed for Fair Isle and Tuck stitches by manually depressing combinations of these buttons in sequence with the row counter.<ref>Newton, Eileen. ''The Machine Knitting Book'', 1974.</ref> | |||
== Key Features == | |||
* '''8-Button Selection:''' Patterns are limited to 8-stitch repeats. This system requires the knitter to manually change button settings every row or every few rows to create complex motifs. | |||
* '''Metal Bed Construction:''' Known for extreme durability, though it lacks the "sinker posts" found on later machines like the KH-881, requiring the use of weights for almost all knitting.<ref name="Service800">"Brother KH-800 Service Manual," Machine Knitting etc. [https://machineknittingetc.com/brother-kh800-user-guide-and-service-manual.html accessed Feb 2026]</ref> | |||
* '''Lace Carriage:''' It was one of the first models to support a semi-automatic lace carriage, though it requires multiple passes compared to the "Fashion Lace" carriages of the 80s. | |||
== Technical Specifications == | |||
* '''Gauge:''' 4.5mm (Standard) | |||
* '''Patterning Repeat:''' 8 stitches | |||
* '''Needle Count:''' 200 | |||
== Known Issues == | |||
* '''Button Sticking:''' The grease inside the button mechanism often solidifies over decades (common "gumming"). This typically requires a deep clean with isopropyl alcohol or a heat gun to loosen.<ref>The Answer Lady, "Deep Cleaning Vintage Brother Buttons," YouTube, 2018.</ref> | |||
* '''Sponge Bar:''' Like later models, it uses a foam-based needle retaining bar that must be replaced to prevent carriage jams. | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
< | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Brother | [[Category:Brother Knitting Machines]] | ||
[[Category:Push Button Knitting Machines]] | |||
[[Category: | |||
Revision as of 15:44, 7 February 2026
| Brother KH-800 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Brother |
| Model | KH-800 |
| Gauge | Standard |
| Type | Domestic |
| Patterning | Push button |
| Needles | 200 |
| Release Year | 1971 |
| Accessories | Lace Carriage, Extension Rails, Table Clamps |
| Also Known As | Jones KH-800 |
The Brother KH-800 is a standard gauge (4.5mm) manual knitting machine. Released in the early 1970s, it is historically significant for introducing the 8-button patterning mechanism that preceded the modern punchcard system.[1]
Historical Context
Before the advent of the 24-stitch punchcard, Brother utilized a system of 8 buttons to select needles for patterning. The KH-800 allowed for Fair Isle and Tuck stitches by manually depressing combinations of these buttons in sequence with the row counter.[2]
Key Features
- 8-Button Selection: Patterns are limited to 8-stitch repeats. This system requires the knitter to manually change button settings every row or every few rows to create complex motifs.
- Metal Bed Construction: Known for extreme durability, though it lacks the "sinker posts" found on later machines like the KH-881, requiring the use of weights for almost all knitting.[3]
- Lace Carriage: It was one of the first models to support a semi-automatic lace carriage, though it requires multiple passes compared to the "Fashion Lace" carriages of the 80s.
Technical Specifications
- Gauge: 4.5mm (Standard)
- Patterning Repeat: 8 stitches
- Needle Count: 200
Known Issues
- Button Sticking: The grease inside the button mechanism often solidifies over decades (common "gumming"). This typically requires a deep clean with isopropyl alcohol or a heat gun to loosen.[4]
- Sponge Bar: Like later models, it uses a foam-based needle retaining bar that must be replaced to prevent carriage jams.
References
- ↑ "History of Brother Knitting Machines," Brother Industries Archive. accessed Feb 2026
- ↑ Newton, Eileen. The Machine Knitting Book, 1974.
- ↑ "Brother KH-800 Service Manual," Machine Knitting etc. accessed Feb 2026
- ↑ The Answer Lady, "Deep Cleaning Vintage Brother Buttons," YouTube, 2018.