JUKI K-861 is a first JUKI knitting machine to offer semi-automatic needle selection, accomplished by eight push-buttons.

It is a standard-gauge machine with 200 needles, 4.5 mm apart.

Thus, it could be considered a JUKI pioneer for the whole JUKI series of knitting machines. The screw-on carriage handle, S-shaped table clamps and slide-in tool holder are still of vintage style (like its predecessors, JUKI K 851, JUKI K 841, and JUKI K 821) but the row counter is of a more modern design, like all consecutive machines, from other manufactures as well.

Presence of the pushbutton is very likely the reason for the simpler carriage (less cam buttons on the carriage: three instead of five as in the previous model, JUKI K 851).

The next JUKI models, JUKI K 871 and JUKI K 881 have similar patterning mechanism, with eight pushbuttons, and a ratchet tool activating the needles into their forward positions according to the schematics shown on the pushbuttons themselves.

However, nowhere in the pictures for JUKI K 861 machine I see the place where the ratchet tool will attach. So stay tuned as I am researching more on this model while enjoying the rest of the pictures of this unique machine.

JUKI K 871 has a lot of similar features as JUKI K 861 (same three cams on the carriage).

JUKI K 881, JUKI K 882 and JUKi K-883 are more advanced as they have four cam buttons on the carriage. but the setup for JUKI K 871 includes a reverse picker mini carriage.

Stay tuned as I discover more differences, pros and cons for this and other JUKI knitting machines.