Hi, I would like to know if anyone has a Electronic Silver Reed machine, I have a Knitmaster 360 punchcard and I am considering upgrading but all I have found out so far is that the electronic is quite difficult to understand.
Silver Reed
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Are you thinking of a new one or a pre-owned?
I have both an electronic and a punchcard version. They are very similar for the basics.
I have both an electronic and a punchcard version. They are very similar for the basics.
Maybe pre owned if I can get a good clean one, the ladies in my club that have electronics all have Brother and they don't really like silver reed, I just thought having my Knitmaster all these years and loving it I would be better staying with the same model so to speak. Thank you for your reply.
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The first machine I had was a Knitmaster electronic. I taught myself how to use it having nothing else but the manual....
I had never seen a knitting machine before, knew no one with a machine, and there was nothing on the net. You are over half way there having a 360!
I then went over to Brother electronic machines....however....not so long ago I bought a Silver Reed fine gauge electronic, which I am getting along fine with.....excuse the pun. I would say that seeing you are use to a Knitmaster you will understand it more or less straight from the off.
A friend of mine has a 360 and not long ago was left a Brother 950i....she is struggling to learn how to use the Brother......but everyone is different I guess.
I had never seen a knitting machine before, knew no one with a machine, and there was nothing on the net. You are over half way there having a 360!
I then went over to Brother electronic machines....however....not so long ago I bought a Silver Reed fine gauge electronic, which I am getting along fine with.....excuse the pun. I would say that seeing you are use to a Knitmaster you will understand it more or less straight from the off.
A friend of mine has a 360 and not long ago was left a Brother 950i....she is struggling to learn how to use the Brother......but everyone is different I guess.
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You asked about electronic vs your punch card machine.
I certainly don't want to start the big discussion about one brand over the other (I own Brother AND Singer machines) If you are happy with the brand of machine you knit on then I see no reason to change brands and complicating the issue with that new learning curve.
An electronic machine has advantages over a punch card if you do lots of pattern knitting. For basic plain knitting they work very much the same. For lace or patterns knitting the manual will walk you though the electronic parts. You can enter different size st patterns, knit patterns up to 60 st wide and can add items like a PE1 or PC10 and software like DAK to expand patterning ability farther with an electronic.
So .... if you do a lot of pattern knitting or want to add designing features and software then an electronic is a nice upgrade. There is usually a big price difference between the machines.
BTW your Singer 360 is a nice solid punch card machine in it's own right.
I certainly don't want to start the big discussion about one brand over the other (I own Brother AND Singer machines) If you are happy with the brand of machine you knit on then I see no reason to change brands and complicating the issue with that new learning curve.
An electronic machine has advantages over a punch card if you do lots of pattern knitting. For basic plain knitting they work very much the same. For lace or patterns knitting the manual will walk you though the electronic parts. You can enter different size st patterns, knit patterns up to 60 st wide and can add items like a PE1 or PC10 and software like DAK to expand patterning ability farther with an electronic.
So .... if you do a lot of pattern knitting or want to add designing features and software then an electronic is a nice upgrade. There is usually a big price difference between the machines.
BTW your Singer 360 is a nice solid punch card machine in it's own right.
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I have both Brother and Silver-Reed machines. For the most part, I think that machine knitters tend to be loyal to one brand or the other, but I've often heard from knitters who have used both that the Brother machines are easier to learn and more intuitive to learn with regard to the electronic machines.
You should know that the Silver-Reed electronic machines now being manufactured do not have any electronics installed in the bed, and usually come with a carriage that is not equipped to interface with either the equipment or computer software needed to do patterning. Sometimes you can get a package from a dealer that includes the basic Silver Knit software and the electronic carriage and cables. Otherwise, you would need to buy the electronic carriage separately, as well as the DAK (Design-A-Knit) software and the cable to connect your machine to your computer.
You might also be able to find a used EC-1 Electronic controller box that reads mylar sheets you can draw designs on (up to a width of 60 stitches for a single design, or repeats of smaller designs). This also needs a special cable and the electronic carriage. Another attachment you might be able to find used is the PE-1 unit, that can work with the EC-1 to add additional functionality, allow larger designs, do multi-color knitting with several colors in the same row, and can read stitch pattern memory cards.
As with any electronic machine, or any knitting machine for that matter, you need to go step by step in learning how to use all of the functions. It all depends on the resources you have to invest in an electronic machine, and the time you are willing to invest in going step by step to learn how to use the machine (and software), in order to make the most of your investment.
You should know that the Silver-Reed electronic machines now being manufactured do not have any electronics installed in the bed, and usually come with a carriage that is not equipped to interface with either the equipment or computer software needed to do patterning. Sometimes you can get a package from a dealer that includes the basic Silver Knit software and the electronic carriage and cables. Otherwise, you would need to buy the electronic carriage separately, as well as the DAK (Design-A-Knit) software and the cable to connect your machine to your computer.
You might also be able to find a used EC-1 Electronic controller box that reads mylar sheets you can draw designs on (up to a width of 60 stitches for a single design, or repeats of smaller designs). This also needs a special cable and the electronic carriage. Another attachment you might be able to find used is the PE-1 unit, that can work with the EC-1 to add additional functionality, allow larger designs, do multi-color knitting with several colors in the same row, and can read stitch pattern memory cards.
As with any electronic machine, or any knitting machine for that matter, you need to go step by step in learning how to use all of the functions. It all depends on the resources you have to invest in an electronic machine, and the time you are willing to invest in going step by step to learn how to use the machine (and software), in order to make the most of your investment.
I have SK 840. I bought it new. Had I've known what I know now, I would have probable bought an SK 560 or a used less expensive SK 840 for a lot less. New SK 840's do not come with the electronics. You need to either get EC1, Silver Knit or DAK software to use for patterning. There may be other software out there that I have not heard of. Furthermore, The manual with the NEW SK 840 gives the old instructions using the EC1. So the manual is not very helpful for patterning without the EC1. There aren't a lot of EC1's out there, and you're probably better of buying the newer softaware. I think if you can find a used SK 560 or any of it's relatives (580 etc) in good condition, would probably be a better deal because it comes with the electronics built in. You can add DAK to SK 560. Or, you may be able to find a used in good condition SK 840 and add electronics to it. Good luck.
Hello, I have a Silver Reed 240 K.M., the Electronic PC 10 is a separate Box that you plug into the back of the K.M., which I have not used much and works well. Compared to Brother manuals the S.R. 240 Manual and the useful Programming Card with Instructions on Programming is much easier to use. I have an Ad in the next issue of Machine Knitting Monthly, I want to exchange my S.R. 240 for a S.R. 280 P.C. K.M. with an LC2, One Action Lace Carriage and Ribber, it
must be in Good Condition with the Manuals and Tools. I have decided to have another P.C. K.M., instead because I am too involved with other projects to programme my own patterns into an Electronic Box, I love the idea of a Lace Carriage on a P.C. K.M. I already have lots of punched patterns that have designed myself. From Susan, Hertfordshire, U.K.
must be in Good Condition with the Manuals and Tools. I have decided to have another P.C. K.M., instead because I am too involved with other projects to programme my own patterns into an Electronic Box, I love the idea of a Lace Carriage on a P.C. K.M. I already have lots of punched patterns that have designed myself. From Susan, Hertfordshire, U.K.
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I forgot to mention, most the accessories from the singer/Studio/Silver Reed SK360 also fit the the electronic models. The on bed linker, the Intarsia carriage, the automatic weaving arm.
I prefer the EC1 and mylars to DAK. I've used both.
I prefer the EC1 and mylars to DAK. I've used both.
I agree with Azzara, keep the same make, I did, I have a 360, 700, 155 Bulky and a 560 electronic, all Singer, Studio, or KnitMaster, depending of the country one is in the same machine has a bunch of names.
Now back to the electronic knitting machines I had no clue about them, whether, Brother or Singer, but a friend of mine got herself a 560 singer electronic, and asked for help, well with manual in hand and realizing that the basic part of the machines are the same, we set out to learn and it worked we both learned and as a result, thanks to a KP friend I now also have a 560.
My suggestion is no matter which machine you get once it is put up, and with just soft music in the background, maybe a good cup of coffee or tea, go through the manual and word by word do as it says, and you will get her going in no time at all.
Now back to the electronic knitting machines I had no clue about them, whether, Brother or Singer, but a friend of mine got herself a 560 singer electronic, and asked for help, well with manual in hand and realizing that the basic part of the machines are the same, we set out to learn and it worked we both learned and as a result, thanks to a KP friend I now also have a 560.
My suggestion is no matter which machine you get once it is put up, and with just soft music in the background, maybe a good cup of coffee or tea, go through the manual and word by word do as it says, and you will get her going in no time at all.
I should have said the Knitting Machine I have is a Silver Reed 840, not as posted before, I wish to exchange it for a Silver Reed 280, Punchcard, with Ribber and an LC2 One Action Lace Carriage, in a good working and clean condition with Manuals and Tools. I do not have time to programme my own designs into the Electronic Box, I have already a good selection of my own designs on Punch Cards, and a one action Lace Carriage is what I need to have with it. My 840 is in a good condition From, Susan, U.K.
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Sent you a PM Susan.quill-ws said:
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