[KarlaHW]

The description of the cables is really hard to understand for anybody just starting out with DAK, and as the cables are very expensive you cannot afford to buy the wrong one.
I bought the Brotherlink 1 to use mainly with my KH940, it says downloading and uploading and interactive knitting. But then there is the Brotherlink 5 for interactive knitting. Only after I had bought and used the Brotherlink 1 did I really understand the difference in the interactive knitting. One (the Brotherlink 5) works with any machine even non electronic ones, the Brotherlink 1 needs to be connected to the machine and the carriage set to KC (even for knitting only stockinette) in order that the computer can count the rows knitted. Not a big mistake for me, any stick magnet can be attached to carriage and works just the same. But then in the description for the Brotherlink 1 it also mentions PPD/900. Did not really understood what this means. The Brotherlink 3 connects to the PPD for the KH940. Then there is a cartridge link the Brotherlink 4, more expensive than the whole DAK software to be used for machines with cartridge port and a Brotherlink 7 to be used with floppy drives.
To get the patterns from the floppy disks in DAK I started downloading from disk to knitting machine, then uploading to Computer with DAK. Very slow process and lots of unplugging cables especially if the disks were in the 930 format. I later invested in the Brotherlink 7 and could upload all disk patterns really fast to the computer.
Now I think I even understand the PPD problem. There are 4 modes for the PPD and I believe they use different cables (please correct me if I am wrong). Looking at the description again direct download to the cartridge in mode 1 (KH940, several others and KH270) should work only with Brotherlink 3. After talking to 30Knitter, she uses Brotherlink 5 for connection with PPD, did not work for me. But then I thought why not try the Brotherlink 7 cable (that is not supposed to work with PPD), but it did for me in mode 1. I did not try all the other modes. So now I can design a stich pattern and in one step download to cartridge and use the cartridge on the 270. Pretty nice!

 

[hobbyknit]

Wow! Now that's a mouth full. by the time I got to three I would have been pulling my hair out. You are to be commended for your persistence!

 

[ChunkyMonkey]

Very true Karla! I just don't have the brain cells left to compute. I still can't figure out if it is saying I can use the USB Brotherlink 4 cartridge cable with my KH270 to knit stitch patterns without the PPD... is it saying I can use my computer in place of a PPD cartridge; as in, the knitting machine can read the computer via the USB Brotherlink 4 cable, ergo so as long as I have a stitch pattern in DAK I can knit it on my KH270? (she asks hoping that is the case)

 

[KarlaHW]

Very true Karla! I just don't have the brain cells left to compute. I still can't figure out if it is saying I can use the USB Brotherlink 4 cartridge cable with my KH270 to knit stitch patterns without the PPD... is it saying I can use my computer in place of a PPD cartridge; as in, the knitting machine can read the computer via the USB Brotherlink 4 cable, ergo so as long as I have a stitch pattern in DAK I can knit it on my KH270? (she asks hoping that is the case)

I have not seen the Brotherlink 4, but that is the way I understand it. You don't need the PPD, it has a cartridge attached that fits in the cartridge slot.

 

[ChunkyMonkey]

I have not seen the Brotherlink 4, but that is the way I understand it. You don't need the PPD, it has a cartridge attached that fits in the cartridge slot.

Thanks for the clarification.
It would be a nice gadget to have in that case.

 

[jaysclark]

Thanks for this. I find it all very confusing as to which cable I actually need, but I think for the 270, it is BL4. This plugs into the cartridge port for direct downloads, is my understanding

 

[Rita in Raleigh]

Thanks for the chart and the discussion, Karla. It is a confusing subject. I find it best to search around and try to figure out what you want, then PHONE the seller of the cables. In the chart you posted first, that would mean phoning Distinctive Knits (Mike Becker) and then he could help you choose the cable that is best for you. I am sure there are companies that could be called in the UK (Metropolitan??)

To add to the confusion, some of us are still using the old cables (serial ones) with an adapter for usb, and not all usb adapters work well for DAK! The old serial cables have different names than the new USB ones. BUT if these work then they are lots less expensive than the usb (brotherlink) ones. Sometimes they might even be thrown in free when you buy DAK used .....from a private person.

Well, it seems I have really added to the confusion, when Karla was trying hard to clear it up <G>

 

[randiejg]

Oh boy! By the time you figure out what cable does what, you forget what you wanted to do on your machine.

The chart definitely helps, but why do they have to be so darned expensive? If it's because it's a small market and they don't produce many, it would seem that the cost would discourage people from buying them in the first place.

 

[30Knitter]

Since I have 2 cables (cable 3 received as a gift and only works on cartridge II). The cable 5 works on the cartridge III, of which I have several. Cable 5 is the one I used most.
Upload, download, and interactive knitting.

 

[susieknitter]

Rita, Soft Byte is a UK company so those living in the UK can go direct to them.

 

[30Knitter]

I believe Charlene Schafer can also get cables at a reasonable rate here in US.

 

[aussieHC]

I purchased the USB cable for my 940 to use with DAK8 on my laptop a couple of years ago ( I was already using DAK8 with my Silver Reed machines). I really only use my Brother machine for lace work. I made a short sleeved lace cardigan, and was hoping that I could integrate the garment shape on my computer with DAK and a lace pattern selected from my 940 console. I haven't quite mastered this (only had one attempt about 2 years ago). I found that even though I had the cable connected to my 940 and the computer and followed all of the instructions supplied with the cable, I couldn't automatically integrate the controls in DAK with the carriage movement from the 940 - lace patterns do complicate matters, because there are varying movements of the lace carriage and then 2 rows knitted with the standard carriage. I ended up pausing DAK8 after each set of 2 rows stockinette while I did how ever many passes of the lace carriage were required, then set DAK back to 'go' for 2 rows stockinette, then paused it again while I did the lace carriage passes. It was a bit laborious having to start and stop DAK while I used alternate carriages on my 940 but I managed to get the shape done successfully. I don't know if anyone else has tried this - I haven't tried using a lace pattern and shape from DAK while plugged in to my 940 machine - maybe this would work better, but I'd need to override the computer in the Brother 940 machine. It's made more complicated than using a computer with a Silver Reed machine because the Silver Reed relies on the computer running DAK and the instructions are sent to the carriage via the cord - so it's all integrated (though I haven't tried fashioned lace on a Silver Reed with DAK to see if it correctly handles the carriage passes that only do transfers.

Anyone had much successful experience with DAK on a computer and knitting a lace design on an electronic Brother machine ? The 965 and 970 may be different to the older electronic machines, not sure - since I have loads of experience with my Silver Reeds but limited use of Brother - just like the action of the lace carriage on a Brother.

 

[30Knitter]

I just use the shape pattern, I don't integrate the pattern into the shape. The pattern itself I just use a built-in or download. Do you have a magnet on the lace carriage?