Purlbed

Knitting machine type

Single bed (electronic) + ribber

An electronic machine with a ribber, which is the most capable domestic set-up. Wide electronic patterns on the main bed combine with ribs, double jersey and double-bed jacquard. The pitch lever and racking work as on any domestic ribber. The ribber itself is not electronically selected, and very dense double jersey is still hard work.

Can do: rib and double jersey, transfers between beds, hold (short rows), tuck, slip, two colours in a row, lace carriage
Cannot do: —

  • Needles chosen electronically, wide repeats
  • Pattern repeat up to 200 stitches
  • Pitch lever: opposite or half pitch
  • Needle spacing: 3.6 / 4.5 / 6.5 / 9 mm
  • Default 200 needles (up to 250)

Examples: Brother KH-930 / KH-940 / KH-965i / KH-970 + KR-850; Silver Reed SK-840 + SRP60N; Silver Reed SK-860 + SR860 (mid gauge)

How to draw for it

  • Label the rows main bed and ribber; wide or placed motifs go on the main bed.
  • For double-bed jacquard, draw the colour pattern on the main bed and a plain or birdseye backing on the ribber.
  • Use half pitch wherever both beds knit every needle; use pitch for even ribs.
  • Give racking and cross-bed transfers their own step rows.
  • Use hold cells only on the main bed.
Draw a bed chart for it

105 techniques you can knit on it

Jacquard (Fair Isle)

Tuck and slip

Intarsia

Plating

Rib

Cables and lace

Short rows (partial knitting)

Lifted stitches

Ottoman ridges

Pleats and folds

Stripes and woven-in yarn

Other machine types

Researched from machine manuals, dealer spec sheets and knitting references; a few details are still unconfirmed.