Learning To Knit On A Brother KH-860 Knitting Machine
Learning to knit on a Brother KH-860 knitting machine sounded like a wonderful way to turn my handspun yarn into useful projects without spending quite so much time knitting every stitch by hand. When I spotted a machine at a local thrift store for only $24.95, I couldn't resist. What I hadn't expected was how much work it would take to get an older knitting machine running smoothly, or how frustrating a sticking carriage could become when I was eager to get started.
This is the story of what came with that bargain, the problems I discovered, and what happened when I tried cleaning and servicing the machine. I'm keeping the original experience here because I know other crafters can relate to bringing home a promising secondhand find and realizing there is a lot more to learn than they first expected.
In This Article
What Came with My Secondhand Brother KH-860
The machine itself was only part of the purchase. I brought home a box full of punch patterns, machine knitting books and a tub of accessories, including a yarn winder I didn't recognize at first. Those extras made the price feel even better. They also gave me more to sort through and understand before I could begin knitting confidently. When buying an older machine, it helps to identify every attachment and determine which accessories actually belong with your particular model.
For me, the appeal was being able to make scarves, afghans and other projects with yarn I'd spun myself. I already knew I could use hand looms or my floor loom, but I hoped the knitting machine would make some projects go faster. The story that follows explains why things weren't quite that simple, even though I remained excited about the possibilities.
First Practice Swatch on the Brother KH-860
For anyone getting acquainted with a working KH-860, I have put together a beginner How-To Card using the machine's original manual. It covers setting up the machine, checking the yarn path and starting with a small plain-knit swatch instead of jumping into a complicated pattern. Follow the illustrated manual for the exact cast-on and threading arrangements, especially when working with an older machine whose accessories may have been changed.
How to Prepare a Brother KH-860 and Knit a First Practice Swatch
A beginner practice session for a serviced Brother KH-860, following the model's owner's manual for threading and casting on.
Materials
- Brother KH-860 knitting machine with K-carriage and sinker plate
- Original clamps, yarn tension unit and yarn feeder
- Smooth practice yarn suitable for the KH-860
- Machine knitting transfer tool and cast-on supplies specified by owner's manual
- Brother KH-860 illustrated owner's manual
Instructions
- Secure the Brother KH-860 on a stable table using its original clamps. Check that the needle bed, K-carriage and sinker plate are correctly installed and in good condition.
- Examine the needles and latches. If the carriage sticks or needles appear damaged, stop and resolve the mechanical issue before attempting to knit.
- Choose smooth, suitable practice yarn. Wind it so it feeds freely, then set up and thread the yarn tension unit and yarn feeder as shown in the KH-860 owner's manual.
- Position a small group of working needles and the K-carriage for plain knitting, following the manual's needle-position diagram and plain-knitting instructions. Start with a simple practice swatch rather than a punch-card pattern.
- Cast on using the beginner method described in the manual. Check that the first row forms correctly before continuing, and do not force the K-carriage through resistance.
- Move the K-carriage steadily across the needles to work several plain-knit rows. Observe the stitches and note the tension-dial setting and yarn used.
- Follow the manual's instructions for removing the knitting from the machine. Examine the swatch for dropped stitches and uneven tension; adjust your setup and repeat as needed.
Notes
Based on the Brother KH860 Owner Manual, sections Setting Up Knitting Machine, Threading the Yarn Tension Unit, Needle Position, Plain Knitting, and How to Remove the Knitting from the Machine. Consult the illustrated owner's manual for the exact threading path, needle positions and cast-on method. This is beginner guidance, not a claim that the author mastered the machine.
What I Learned About a Sticking K-Carriage
A carriage that won't travel smoothly can turn a promising project into a frustrating afternoon. In my case, the problem continued even after we opened the machine and removed dust, old yarn and other debris. I searched online, joined a machine-knitting group and watched videos while trying to understand what was wrong. Eventually I took the machine to the Knit Knack Shop in Peru, Indiana, where it became clear that servicing was needed.
The technician found that the machine was out of timing and needed oil. Those are not problems I'd encourage someone to solve by forcing the carriage through stubborn resistance. An older machine may need careful cleaning, model-appropriate lubrication or professional adjustment before it's ready for regular use. If you're looking at a thrifted knitting machine, ask whether the carriage moves correctly and whether the seller knows anything about its service history.
Troubleshooting a Brother KH-860 That Won't Knit Smoothly
The sticking carriage I experienced is one reason I wanted a separate troubleshooting card. It's important to distinguish an ordinary threading or tension issue from a machine that needs servicing. These checks draw on the KH-860 owner's manual and the experience I described above; don't force the carriage or attempt timing repairs without the right expertise.
How to Troubleshoot a Sticking Brother KH-860 K-Carriage
A cautious diagnostic checklist for a secondhand KH-860 that resists moving or produces dropped stitches.
Materials
- Brother KH-860 owner's manual
- Good lighting and lint-free cleaning cloth
- Suitable knitting-machine oil specified by the manual, if maintenance is appropriate
- Replacement needles, only if indicated and compatible
- Notebook for recording yarn and tension settings
Instructions
- Stop knitting immediately if the K-carriage becomes difficult to push or jams. Never force it past resistance; the manual explicitly warns against forcing a jammed carriage.
- Note where the carriage stopped and inspect the yarn path for snags, tangles or yarn wound around a brush. Follow the owner's manual's K-carriage jam procedure before attempting to remove or reset it.
- With the carriage safely disengaged according to the manual, inspect accessible needles and latches for bending, obstruction, damage or stitches caught incorrectly. Replace damaged needles using the model-specific procedure if qualified to do so.
- Check for lint, dust and leftover yarn in accessible areas. Clean carefully as directed in the manual, without using force or dismantling parts beyond your expertise.
- Review threading, yarn feed, working needle positions and the tension dial. Try a small plain-knit swatch with appropriate practice yarn after the machine is moving freely.
- If stitches drop or rows are inconsistent, check for damaged needle latches and compare your setup with the manual's troubleshooting section. Record the yarn, tension setting and the particular error before changing several settings at once.
- If the carriage still sticks, timing appears incorrect or servicing is needed, stop and seek a technician familiar with Brother knitting machines. The original author experienced a timing problem that required professional attention.
Notes
Based on the Brother KH860 Owner Manual, sections When the K Carriage Is Hard to Push, If the K Carriage Should Jam, and Cleaning and Maintenance. This checklist is not a substitute for illustrated jam-release directions or professional repair.
Starting with Sample Knits Instead of a Big Project
After the machine was serviced, I was still working through tension and carriage movement issues. Rather than jumping straight into a full-sized afghan, making sample knits gave me smaller opportunities to see what happened when I changed something. Swatches can reveal whether stitches are forming consistently, whether the yarn works with the machine and whether a particular pattern needs more practice.
That matters especially when you want to knit with handspun yarn, because thickness and consistency can vary more than with commercial yarn. It's worth learning how the machine behaves with a suitable, consistent practice yarn before experimenting with a treasured skein you've spent hours spinning. Keep notes on the yarn and tension settings you tested so a successful sample doesn't become a mystery the next day.
Why I'm Sharing This Learning Experience
I didn't instantly master the Brother KH-860, and I don't want to make it sound as though I did. I got frustrated, put it away, returned to it the next morning and kept experimenting. The possibility of private lessons at the local shop was another option I considered. Sometimes learning a craft involves knowing when to ask for help rather than struggling through the same problem repeatedly.
If you're considering an older knitting machine, this article is a reminder to look beyond the bargain price. Check the carriage, accessories, condition and availability of model-specific instructions. A machine that needs professional service can still be a worthwhile find, but it helps to understand the learning curve before planning a stack of finished gifts. I'd love to hear whether you've ever restored or learned to use a secondhand knitting machine.
I have to tell you, I am a sucker for bargains - and when I saw this Brother KH-860 knitting machine at our local thrift store for just $24.95, I couldn't pass it up even though a dear friend had given me a Singer knitting machine a couple of years ago. Not only did I get the knitting machine, but I got a box full of punch patterns, lots of machine knitting books and a tub full of accessories including a yarn winder! Now I didn't recognize the yarn winder at first, but once I got everything home and started shuffling through the tub, I immediately knew what it was. You see, I have plans and those plans include making things - scarfs, afghans, etc. - out of my handspun yarn. Now I could do this by hand - or even using my hand looms or floor loom - but frankly, I'm slow when it comes to crafting. I get frustrated and then my projects sit there, half-done. I'm sure you know others like this - thus I thought a knitting machine would help solve the problem especially since it will allow me to knit far faster than I ever could by hand. Well, that was the plan. The knitting machine was going to make life easy. Instead I have been frustrated beyond belief. First the K-carriage would get stuck and become impossible to move. I joined an online machine knitting group, searched online for answers and even scoured You Tube videos. I learned a lot. We tore the machine down and found it was full of stuff - dust, bits of yarn and who knows what else. We cleaned all the stuff out - but darn it, the K-carriage was still hard to move and sticking. The decision was made to take it to Peru to the Knit Knack Shop and just pay to get it serviced. It was a good thing I did too. Not only was the machine out of time (there is no way I could have fixed that), but it also needed oiled. The man was kind enough to show me how to oil it - and it was a good thing too. He oiled it while it was there, but I ended up oiling it again later that day. I guess it is really hard to tell how much oil something might absorb before it finally ends up getting the right amount of oil in all the moving parts. I finally ended up so frustrated last night that I put the machine away and went to bed. This morning when I woke up, I started playing with the machine again. I have made several sample knits today, but think either my tension is still off slightly or I am just getting frustrated and not moving the K-carriage the right way because I am still experiencing problems. The lady at the Knit Knack Shop in Peru said she could offer private lessons - and I may just take her up on that once spring arrives. I am sure once I figure this machine out I am going to love it.
