Knittax
= Brand History & Overview[edit]
Knittax is a German brand of vintage flatbed knitting machines that gained prominence in the mid-20th century. Renowned for their robust German engineering, Knittax machines were highly popular in Europe and were also exported to North America under the name KnitKing.[1]
Manufactured in Germany starting in the 1950s, Knittax machines were designed for domestic use. Unlike their Japanese contemporaries (such as Brother or Silver Reed) which later focused on punchcard and electronic patterning, Knittax retained a purely manual, mechanical layout. Today, they are prized by vintage machinery collectors and hobbyists.
Sinker-Based Weightless System[edit]
The defining technical characteristic of Knittax knitting machines is their sinker-based operation. In standard flatbed knitting machines, the fabric must be pulled downward using heavy cast-on combs and weights to ensure the stitches slip off the needles.
Knittax bypassed this requirement by using specialized, spring-loaded metal sinkers between the needles:[2]
- Holding Down: As the needles rise to receive new yarn, the sinkers press the existing fabric loops down, preventing them from rising with the needles.
- Knocking Over: The sinkers provide a physical ledge to support the old loop as the new stitch is drawn through it.
- SAYG (Sew-As-You-Go): Because the machine does not require weights hanging from the fabric, it is highly favored for "sew-as-you-go" techniques.
Maintenance[edit]
While the metal needle beds are exceptionally durable, the system relies on small plastic components called "strippers" or "presser guides" inside the carriage. Over time, these plastic parts can become brittle and require 3D-printed replacements or vintage spares to maintain proper fabric release.
Machine Models & Accessories[edit]
Knittax machines, manufactured by Karl Steinhof in Germany, are renowned for their "Sinker" (Platinen) technology, which allows for weightless knitting on a single-bed machine.
Manual & Semi-Automatic[edit]
Punchcard Models[edit]
- Knittax 2000 (Rebranded Brother KH-864)
Accessories[edit]
- Knittax Ribber (Double-bed attachment)
Machine Accessory Compatibility Matrix[edit]
The following is a dynamically generated list of Knittax accessories and their compatible knitting machines, populated directly from the wiki's database:
| Accessory | Type | Compatible Machines | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knittax Ribber | Ribbing Bed | Knittax machines |