Brother KH571 knitting machine is an 8-push button knitting machine with a pattern control center. It is a metal flat-bed knitting machine with 200 needles positioned 4.5 mm apart, which makes this knitting machine standard. The machine was very likely released to the market in mid-to-late 1960s.
If you like this type of patterning mechanics but would like versatility, check out the Brother KH800 knitting machine: it has the same ratchet-based needle selection mechanism but it is actually punch-card based (thus, more unique needle combinations with 12-stitch repeat). Details of fair-isle knitting for this machine, especially how to insert the second yarn into the side yar guide, are also very similar to the KH800 knitting machine, which is described well in my video and blog. However, instead of splitting the needles for two different yarns into Di and DII positions, the KH571 needle bed will very likely split the needles into C and D positions.
I did not have a chance yet to see this machine in real life and/or work on it. Below are pictures generously provided by other knitting machine enthusiasts and posted here with their permission.
It has a very pleasant pink/white color combination, an inverse color combo of the Brother KH561 knitting machine.
Judging by the experience with other pushbutton machines, here are couple of hints to avoid mistakes with the set-lever and pushbuttons:
- adjusting the tension (increase it slowly – decrease the number) as transitioning from stockinet to tuck/slip.
- general rule of thumb: tuck requires higher tension (smaller number on the tension dial) than stockinet. So does slip/part.
- Make sure the ratchet tool goes ALL THE WAY to the left when activating the needle selection and all the way to the right (to OFF position) otherwise, incorrect (or incomplete) selection might happen.
Brother manufactured also other standard-gauge 8-push button knitting machines: Profile 552, KH560, KH561, KH 581, KH583, Profile/KH 585, KH587, and KH588 and KH710. The patterning center of Brother KH571 has the same features as its counterparts, Brother KH581, KH583, and KH585 knitting machines, but is less advanced as later models, KH587, KH588 and KH710. However, the carriage levers are more advanced than its earlier counterparts (like Profile 552).