Brother KH 552
Revision as of 18:42, 7 February 2026 by KnitFactoryImpl (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{Machine |ModelName=KH 552 |Manufacturer=Brother |Gauge=Standard |Type=Domestic |Patterning=Push button |Needles=200 |ReleaseYear=1968 |Accessories=Lace Carriage (manual), Sinkers, Table Clamps |Aliases=Jones KH 552 }} The '''Brother KH 552''' is a vintage standard gauge (4.5mm) knitting machine featuring an 8-button manual needle selection system. Released in the late 1960s, it is one of the most iconic "push-button" models and is prized today for its heavy-duty all-m...")
| Brother KH 552 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Brother |
| Model | KH 552 |
| Gauge | Standard |
| Type | Domestic |
| Patterning | Push button |
| Needles | 200 |
| Release Year | 1968 |
| Accessories | Lace Carriage (manual), Sinkers, Table Clamps |
| Also Known As | Jones KH 552 |
The Brother KH 552 is a vintage standard gauge (4.5mm) knitting machine featuring an 8-button manual needle selection system. Released in the late 1960s, it is one of the most iconic "push-button" models and is prized today for its heavy-duty all-metal construction and mechanical reliability.[1]
Patterning System[edit]
The defining feature of the KH 552 is the bank of 8 buttons located on the front of the needle bed.
- Selection: Depressing a button selects every 8th needle across the bed.
- Sequence: To create a pattern, the knitter depresses a combination of buttons and passes the carriage. The buttons must be reset or changed manually between rows to create motifs like diamonds or zig-zags.
- Limitations: Unlike later punchcard machines, the pattern repeat is strictly limited to an 8-stitch width.[2]
Key Features[edit]
- All-Metal Bed: Extremely durable with no plastic components in the needle bed or internal selection gears.
- Non-Sinkered Bed: Similar to other early models, this machine does not have sinker posts (gate pegs). Work must be heavily weighted to ensure stitches cast off correctly.
- Extendable Rails: Features rails that allow the carriage to be parked off the needle bed, useful for intarsia or large-scale hand-manipulated work.
Technical Specifications[edit]
- Gauge: 4.5mm (Standard)
- Needles: 200
- Patterning: 8-button manual selection
- Pitch: 4.5mm
Maintenance[edit]
- Button Cleaning: The most common issue with the KH 552 is "frozen" buttons caused by 50-year-old hardened grease. A deep clean with a solvent (like LPS 2 or specialized electronics cleaner) is usually required for restoration.
- Sponge Bar: Uses a standard 4.5mm Brother sponge bar, though early versions occasionally used a "spring" bar which should be replaced with a modern foam bar for better needle tension.[3]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Brother KH 552 Instruction Manual," Machine Knitting etc. accessed Feb 2026
- ↑ Newton, Eileen. The Machine Knitting Book, 1974.
- ↑ "Restoring Vintage Brother Push-Button Machines," KnitFactoryImpl, 2024.