Silver cane • Sewing style

If you’re already familiar with Russian or other manufacturers’ knitting machines, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the significant improvements in comfort and functionality of the new Silver Reed SK280/SRP60N knitting machine. The new machine greatly simplifies the knitting process. Operations such as threading, selecting needle sizes for specific patterns, and changing colors in jacquard knits are all automated, requiring no manual intervention.

Normally, your creations are limited by your knowledge and skills, but with this machine, you can easily achieve anything: from simple cable knits that can be learned in just 10 minutes to various techniques that satisfy curious knitting enthusiasts. With the Silver Reed, you can create pieces that will impress even experienced knitters. More importantly, it saves you a significant amount of time.

(example of an old knitting machine)

(New SK280 silver barrel)

Using the yarn
No knitting machine allows you to knit with extremely different thicknesses of yarn. The type of yarn that can be used depends on the gauge of the machine, i.e. the distance between the needles on the needle bed. The most versatile is the 5th caliber. With these machines it is possible to use both relatively thin and relatively thick yarns. You can also use the «all other needles» setting, which spaces the needles 9mm apart, similar to a 3rd gauge machine. In this case the only limitation is the size of the needle head. Each machine gauge has an optimal yarn thickness range. The lower the gauge, the thicker yarn it can handle.

For the 5th gauge knitting machine Silver Reed SK280/SRP60Nthe optimal thickness of the yarn is 300–400 meters per 100 grams. You can also use double yarn (800m/100g) or quad yarn (1600m/100g).

Which yarn is suitable for a knitting machine?
Virtually any yarn, even irregular ones that cannot be worked in standard mode, can be used with the “weaving” technique.

Mesh density

Although each machine gauge supports a defined yarn range, the Silver Reed SK280/SRP60N offers an additional knit density adjustment function. Using a special dial located on the carriage, you can select the desired mesh density. They range from loose, breathable knitting to very dense, windproof fabric.

Another special advantage of this machine is the ability to knit in a “net” style using very thin yarns. This allows you to create beautifully delicate summer garments. Examples of such net-style knitting include:

Your personal models
The knitting machine set includes pre-made punch cards with various patterns (20 cards with the SK280 and 10 with the SRP60N). Interested in unique designs? They are easy to create using blank punch cards and a punch tool. You can find inspiration in special publications and pattern catalogs that show knitted patterns along with related patterns.

The possibilities of creating personal patterns are greatly expanded with the computerized knitting machine SK840 silver reed—templates are created using a computer and transferred directly to the machine, without the need for punch cards.

Principle of knitting
As with all home knitting machines, knitting with the Silver Reed SK280/SRP60N is done manually by moving the carriage from left to right (knitting one row) and back (knitting the next row). This action is repeated until the piece is completed. There are no motorized knitting machines.

Stitch increases and decreases are performed manually using a transfer tool, guided by row counting (based on stitch size) or a shaping device (knitting with 1:1 or 1:2 scale patterns).

As in most knitting machines, the needles of the Silver Reed SK280/SRP60N have four positions:

• Back non-working (A)
• Working (B)
• Selected machining (C)
• Front not working (D)

Using the lever on the carriage it is possible to deactivate knitting with the punched card (needle position B) and activate knitting (needle position D). The brushes switch from “weave/start” mode to standard mode. The cart operates in 5 modes designed to produce the following functions:

• Stockinette stitch / Weaving / Casting on
• Slip stitch / Double jacquard
• Folded stitch
• Perforated lace
• Fair Isle shirt

The mesh density can be adjusted using the density adjuster.

Knitting with punch cards
The Silver Reed SK280/SRP60N knitting machine reads patterns from punched cards. The design width can span up to 24 needles and can be repeated once, twice or more depending on your preference, or it can repeat every 24 needles without limitation. Using special limiters, you can define where the pattern will be knitted and where not. Set the start and end zones for knitting the pattern (the machine set includes 4 limiters, which allow you to define up to two zones).

The maximum length of the design without repetition is 60 lines. With special plastic clips you can connect the punched card into a circuit, allowing it to be read continuously. The punch card reader also offers the option to turn off the card or double the design vertically: in this case, each row of the punch card will be worked twice.

Automatic needle selection
The Silver Reed SK280/SRP60N knitting machine uses an automatic needle selection system: the memory device is integrated into the carriage, while the punched card is inserted into the reader located on the back of the machine. Each time you move the carriage in front of the reader, it scans the pattern for the next row of knitting. The design of the Silver Reed machine allows you to knit a row without a pattern if you decide to start using the punch card mid-process. It is enough to set the carriage to non-operational mode, pass it back and forth along the reader and turn it on again – the pattern will start from the current line. You don’t have to pull the needle selector lever every time to make a design – just move the carriage manually!

Main Needle Base (SK280)
The main needle bed of the knitting machine is attached to any sturdy edge of the table using special mounting brackets. The table needs to be at the right height – a table that is too high will put a strain on your arms while you knit. A folding table specially designed for knitting machines is very convenient. With the lid closed, the body of the machine resembles a compact suitcase that contains all the knitting tools and trolley. The machine is equipped with two thread feeders, which allow you to thread two threads into the carriage at the same time.

Additional needle bed (SRP60N)
The additional needle bed SRP60N significantly expands the capabilities of the knitting machine. Its main advantage is the possibility of working all types of ribs (1×1, 2×2, English ribs, English ribs with transfer, etc.). The additional needle bed is essentially another knitting machine mounted at a 90 degree angle to the main needle bed.

Both the main and additional bed carriages are connected to a shared arm, so when the upper carriage moves, the lower carriage moves simultaneously and has the same needle control mechanisms. Furthermore, it is possible to use the automatic “knit/non-knit” needle change in position B, allowing the automated processing of ribs on both sides.

There is also the possibility of moving the lower needle bed compared to the upper one by 10 needles to the left or right, with a fixed pitch of half a needle. If necessary, the lower bed can be easily detached from the upper one, without the need for dismantling. It simply lowers 10cm and does not interfere with single bed operation. Getting back to double knitting is just as easy.

Performance
The performance of the Silver Reed SK280/SRP60N knitting machine depends on the complexity of the item being processed and may vary. The fastest results are achieved with simple knitting: if the knitting density is set correctly, a row can be completed in just 2–5 seconds. A hat can be knitted in 5 minutes. A men’s sweater can be made in a couple of hours (if the pattern is already ready). However, knitting a single sleeve of a women’s blouse with a complex pattern can take a whole day.

The Silver Reed SK280/SRP60N is a reliable, high quality machine. With proper care, it will maintain its excellent and reliable performance for a long time and bring you joy in your knitting projects.

If you are interested in thick clothing (LK150)
If you don’t use patterns often and prefer to knit thick sweaters, 4th gauge is a great choice Silver Reed LK150 knitting machine (for thick yarn). This machine has no knitting functions (it does not use punch cards), but it is designed for medium to thick yarns. It can still produce patterns, but needle selection must be done manually.

If you are interested in very thick garments (SK155)
The Silver Reed SK155 is a 3rd gauge punched card knitting machine designed for thick and extra thick yarns. The optimal thickness of the yarn is up to 200 meters per 100 grams. It is ideal for knitting warm sweaters, coats, socks, hats and other heavy clothing. This machine uses punched cards, making it easy to produce a wide variety of designs.

If you are interested in a wide variety of models (SK840)
If you plan to work on custom orders, creating a new pattern each time, the best choice is the computerized knitting machine SK840 silver reed. This machine transfers the entire pattern creation process to the computer, where virtual punch cards are designed using special software and sent to the knitting machine via cable.

We hope this article was useful to you. Detailed information on each model discussed can be found on the relevant product page. You will find all our knitting machines available in our catalog here.