White
| Superba (distributed by White) Double Bed (1502, 1602, 1530) | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Superba (distributed by White) |
| Model | Double Bed (1502, 1602, 1530) |
| Gauge | Standard (5mm spacing) |
| Type | Domestic |
| Patterning | Electronic Eye / Pressure Pad / Card Reader |
| Needles | 180 (90 per bed) |
| Release Year | 1970s - 1980s |
| Accessories | Transfer tools, weights, patterning cards |
| Also Known As | Superba, Singer, Phildar |
White Knitting Machines were domestic knitting machines sold in the North American market during the 1970s and 1980s by the White Sewing Machine Company. Rather than manufacturing the machines themselves, White imported and rebranded double-bed knitting machines manufactured in France by Superba.[1]
These French-made double-bed machines are distinct from contemporary Japanese single-bed machines (such as Brother or Silver Reed) in their construction, needle selection mechanism, and patterning methods.
Machine Construction & Design[edit]
Unlike standard Japanese machines that require an optional ribber attachment to perform double-bed knitting, White/Superba machines were designed as integrated, permanent double-bed units.
- Needle Beds: The front and back beds are mounted together on a chassis. The carriage slides across both beds simultaneously.
- Gauge: They feature a 5mm needle spacing, which is slightly wider than the standard 4.5mm gauge found on Japanese machines.
- Carriage System: The carriage has two separate dials for stitch size control (front and back), allowing different settings for the rib and main fabric.
Patterning Systems[edit]
White Superba machines utilized several electronic and manual patterning systems:
- Pressure Pad System: Models like the White 1502 featured a pressure-sensitive programming pad. Knitters colored squares on a paper chart and pressed the corresponding coordinates on the pad to program stitch patterns.
- Electronic Eye Reader: Models like the White 1602 utilized an optical scanner that read black-and-white patterns directly from a paper sheet as the carriage passed.
- System 9000: Later models introduced computerized interfaces that connected to external controller units for advanced patterning.
Common Models[edit]
- White 1502: An early double-bed electronic model featuring a coordinate programming pad.
- White 1602: A popular model utilizing the optical electronic eye scanning system.
- White 1530: A later model designed for compatibility with external computerized pattern controllers.