City of Armadale - History House > Records

MACHINE, KNITTING - BROTHER KH-892

c. 1978
Overview

The brother KH-892 Knitting Machine is a standard-gauge punch-card knitting machine. Featuring a 4.5mm needle pitch, 200 needles, it has a metal bed and can knit complex lace. Made of metal and a mix of white and cream-coloured plastics. It's approximately a metre in length with numerous accessories. On the lace carriage, under the handle is a switch that moves between [N] (for 'Normal' stitch) at the top and [F] (for 'Fine' stitch) at the bottom.

Historical information

This knitting machine was owned and used by Margaret Van Leeuwen. The Brother KH 892 knitting machine was purchased in 1978 by Margaret Van Leeuwen of Armadale. She used it up to her passing in 2021. She used the machine to make clothes for the family as well as items for sale at various markets held in the local area, including markets at the Kelmscott Hall and at John Calvin Senior High School. Margaret was also a long-time member of the Gosnells Machine Knitting Club. The machine was made by Brother International Corporation, founded in Japan in 1908. In the 1970s they started to manufacture knitting machines that used punch cards for programed designs.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-33-COA2025.11
Item type
Knitting Equipment
Textiles
Material
Cardboard
Metal
Plastic
Keywords
Knitting
TEXTILE MACHINERY
Knitting Machines
Year
c. 1978
Statement of significance

The Brother KH 892 knitting machine, purchased in 1978 and used in Armadale until 2021, is of local social and historical significance to the City of Armadale. Associated with long-term resident Margaret Van Leeuwen, the machine reflects home-based craft production, women’s creative and economic contribution, and participation in local markets and community networks, including those at Kelmscott Hall and John Calvin Senior High School.

Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Object’s condition or completeness
Rare or representative
Last modified
Wednesday, 29 July, 2026
Completeness
94
City of Armadale - History House

City of Armadale - History House

A BROTHER KH-892 Knitting Machine. Made of metal and plastic, approx. a metre in length, situated on a fold out wooden table. Comes with numerous accessories.
A BROTHER KH-892 Knitting Machine. Made of metal and plastic, approx. a metre in length, situated on a fold out wooden table. Comes with numerous accessories.
A BROTHER KH-892 Knitting Machine. Made of metal and plastic, approx. a metre in length, situated on a fold out wooden table. Comes with numerous accessories.
A BROTHER KH-892 Knitting Machine. Made of metal and plastic, approx. a metre in length, situated on a fold out wooden table. Comes with numerous accessories.
The rectangular cartridge for a BROTHER KH-892 Knitting Machine. Made of metal and cream-coloured plastic, approx. 25cm by 30cm, with a u-shaped handle on the top.
The rectangular cartridge for a BROTHER KH-892 Knitting Machine. Made of metal and cream-coloured plastic, approx. 25cm by 30cm, with a u-shaped handle on top.
The spare/alternate parts for a BROTHER KH-892 Knitting Machine.
The spare/alternate parts for a BROTHER KH-892 Knitting Machine. 3 different-length metal combs, a drum-head with gears and cogs visible, and some small clamps and tools.
The spare parts for a BROTHER KH-892 Knitting Machine. 2 plastic combs with square teeth on the long side, and 1 metal comb with teeth on the short side and a hole at the opposite end.
The spare parts for a BROTHER KH-892 Knitting Machine. 2 plastic combs with square teeth on the long side and a ruler on the other long side, also 1 shorter metal comb with teeth on the short side and a hole at the opposite end.
2 short, metal needles with closed loops at each end.
2 short, silver-coloured metal needles with closed oblong loops at each end.
A single needle with a white plastic, conical handle at one end.
A single needle with a white plastic, conical handle at one end.
4 crochet hooks for the BROTHER knitting machine. 3 have a white plastic handle, the other has a rounded wooden handle.
4 crochet hooks for the BROTHER knitting machine. 3 have a white plastic handle, the other has a rounded wooden handle.
2 crochet hooks for the BROTHER knitting machine. Both have a flat, plastic handles. One end of the tools has 2 looped needles, the other end has just one.
2 crochet hooks for the BROTHER knitting machine. Both have a flat, plastic handles. One end of the tools has 2 looped needles, the other end has just one.
A cream-coloured plastic cartridge with 7 short, looped needles on one end and a single, longer looped needle on the other.
A cream-coloured plastic cartridge with 7 short, looped needles on one end and a single, longer looped needle on the other. On one side there is a small knob with a ridged grip around it's edge.
7 rectangular metal and plastic cartridges for the BROTHER knitting machine.
7 rectangular metal and plastic cartridges for the BROTHER knitting machine. They all have a hinge along one of their short edges and 7 holes along the opposite edge.
4 cream-coloured plastic weights (in 2 different sizes) for the BROTHER knitting machine. All the weights have curved hooks at the top.
4 cream-coloured plastic weights (in 2 different sizes) for the BROTHER knitting machine. They have a rounded hook on top of a triangular shaped cross brace, on the top of each weight.
3 crochet hooks for the BROTHER knitting machine. Both have a flat, plastic handles. One end of the tools has 3 looped needles, the other end has just one.
2 crochet hooks for the BROTHER knitting machine. Both have a flat, cream-coloured plastic handles. One end of the tools has 2 looped needles, the other end has just one.

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