Silver knitting machines were first produced by the Marukoshi Knitting Machines Ltd. in Tokyo in 1952. The company changed its name to Silver Knitting Machine Manufacturing, Ltd in 1955 and then Silver Seiko Ltd in 1967. The company has sold its knitting machines under numerous brand names in various countries: KnitMaster/Empisal?Silver Reed in the UK, KnitMaster/Singer in Australia, Studio/Singer in Canada, and Singer in the United States. Silver continues to manufacture and export its knitting machines.
To avoid confusion between the various brands the machines will be referred to in this Wiki by their model number, which remains consistent between the various Silver brands.
Silver Knitting Machines is the only Japanese company still making high quality domestic knitting machines. New machines can still be purchased from Silver dealers in USA, Canada and the UK.
| Model | Gauge (mm) | Needles | Patterning | Year | In production |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model-1 | 1952 | No | |||
| SK280 | 4.5 | 200 | 24st punchcard | Yes | |
| LK150 | 6.5 | 150 | Manual (plastic bed) | Yes | |
| ES302 | 4.5 | 200 | Manual | No | |
| F370K | 3.6 | 250 | 30st punchcard | No | |
| SK321 | 4.5 | 200 | 24st punchcard | 1972 | No |
| Mod 326 | 4.5 | 200 | 24st punchcard | No | |
| Mod 360 | 4.5 | 200 | 24st punchcard | No | |
| SK500 | 4.5 | 200 | Electronic | 1979 | No |
| SK700 | 4.5 | 200 | 24st punchcard | 1991- | No |
| SK830 | 3.6 | 250 | Electronic | 1991- | No |
| SK840 | 4.5 | 200 | Electronic | 1990- | Yes |
| SK860 | 6.5 | 150 | Electronic | 1990- | No |
| SK890 | 9 | 100 | No |
| Ribbers | Gauge | Needles | In production |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRP60N | 4.5 | 200 | Yes |
| FRP70 | 4.5 | 250 | ?? |
| SR860 | 6.5 | 150 | No |
| Accessories | Description | In production |
|---|---|---|
| YC6 | Colour changer - comes with a single-bed sinker plate | |
| MOD-560L | Lace carriage | Yes |
| AG24 | Intarsia carriage - standard gauge | Yes |
| AG30 | Intarsia carriage - bulky gauge (SK155) | No |
| RJ1 | Bird's eye DBJ ribber carriage | No |
| Jaws | Shadow lace transfer tool | No |
| LC2 | Lace carriage - standard gauge | Yes |
| EC1 | Pattern controller | No |
| PE1 | Pattern extender | No |
| PC10 | Pattern controller | No |