I found pictures of several models of Friend knitting machines, but I could not determine their model numbers. Thus, I included all of those (currently four) machines on one page.
My research showed only scarce information!! I am looking for somebody to translate (from Japanese) one manual I found online to learn a bit more than nothing about these beauties, manufactured in the early to mid-1950s.
So far, I have identified (the rest remain anonymous):
- Friend, unknown model #1
- Friend, unknown model #2
- Friend F-103
- Friend, unknown model #4
- Friend Rhythm
FRIEND knitting machine #1:
Beautiful, truly vintage-look, olive-green colored knitting machine. Judging by the look, it is standard-gauge. Typical vintage features are a super-sturdy case, (un)foldable bed-extension plates, and a funky-looking carriage with what looks like a pressure gauge LOL. Another interesting feature that I observe in all three other models below: a top row of needle buds. Not sure why and how, but they look very similar to the sinker hooks present in Brother KH210 and Corona knitting machines. So stay tuned for more info!
FRIEND knitting machine #2:
Similar to the Friend machine #1, this model features a sturdy needlebed case, (un)foldable end-plates, and a second row of needle buds (which are very likely similar to sinker hooks also present in Brother KH210 and Corona knitting machines). This model is also very likely a standard-gauge model. Stay tuned for more info.
FRIEND machine #3: Friend F-103
This model has probably the most funky-looking carriage, together with all other super-vintage features mentioned above.
I was able to (after LOTS of Internet digging) find a manual for this model, and it appears that this machine appeared on the market in 1955. Its model number is Friend F-103.
The machine below is shown without the needlebed extension plates, unlike the two above. However, they were probably just removed because the manual shows how to attach them.
FRIEND knitting machine #4:
This model seems like the most vintage (old) out of all the models above. same crazy-looking carriage, second row of needle buds (although those might be just sinker hooks similar to Brother KH210 and Corona machines). Stay tuned for more info.
Friend Rhythm
Friend Rhythm seems a bit younger than all the models mentioned above. We can see from the pictures that the machine has 200 needles, which makes me think it is of standard gauge. Stay tuned as I am looking for more information on this beauty.
