The Brother CK 35: Understanding how it works
My efforts to understand and use the machine without reading the instructions back to front and after having taken the machine apart piece for piece, cleaning it and putting it back together, see previous post.
Memory & Storage
The CK 35 is quite different from the previous models in so far as it doesnt have patterns stored in the memory of the main and needs to be feed with patterns via the cartridges which in turn have to be programmed through the PPD 35.
Pictured above is the cartridges without shell
How much can be stored on the cartridge is still not discernable but since the whole patterns are designed in “pixels” it probably doesn´t need much capacity.
Once you downloaded the patternes into the machines you can start knitting and you can programm the motor to knit the selected amount of rows. Detach the cartridge and go.
If you attach a new cartridge to the main bed it will automatically delete all information in the main bed storage. You can also upload all information on the main bed into another cartridge.
Since the batteries in my cartridges died a long time ago I couldn´t test any patterns yet and it´s hardly worth the bother to learn how to use the PPD. Using the PPD requieres a tv and using a lengthy drop down menu and using arrows and clicking pixels to make a patterns
Watch the (russian spoken) video here from 2010 on youtube!
Speed on the CK 35
Speed on the CK 35, here is a video with use of the colour changers (about the same speed as single bed use).
If you use the motor to knit singles rows it will be slow. Once you programed it to knit a certain amount of rows it will pick up speed (it´s fun to watch!)
Here is a video in russian from Sep 2013 that looks like an introduction to the ck 35. It gives you a good view of the programing panel on the main bed.
Programing & Using the motor
The motor can be used in three functions: a) knit partial way, b) knit single row, c)knit continuously/a number of rows
a) press the button with the parallel arrows, when you let go the motor stops
b) press the button with the snakelike curved arrows, the motor knits a row
c)Program the motor to knit more than one row by entering row numbers after pressing the repeat button, then press the snake arrow button. If you don´t program the motor it will only knit one row at a time.
The option of attaching a foot pedal to the motor is possible but I can´t test it as I don´t have one. How the buttons influence the foot pedal and viceversa I dont know and won´t speculate.
Knit width with motor
The motor will as a default go to maximum width past the colour changer.
For slimmer knits it means that you will get tension problems in the knitwear. The edges will have tenser and looser rows.
f you are using less than 200 needles it is worth programing the motor for a slimmer width but you can only do that via the PPD 35. It is not possible to do that on the main bed.
Here a video with reduced width from 2012.
Tension on the Ck 35
It has the usual dial as on all other models but I have noticed that you can go past the 0 and 10 tension and that is different in each machine. For example tension 7 on my kh 820 model is the equivalent of 8 on my kh 830 and tension 9 on the ck 35.
The Ck 35 has a different yarn holding system with a knot and yarn rip notifier that stops the motor dead right away. That means that there is stronger tension holding the yarn because it passes through 3 more places that build up more tension than in other models where you have a single yarn mast.
If you don´t/can´t program the motor to a slimmer width it also adds to the tension (and adds problems).
The CK 35 working on it´s own
It´s really cool to have the workload taken off by using the motor but it doesnt really leave you free to do anything else that requires a lot of attention. Something will always go wrong and when you have knitted 200 rows (or depending on the height of your machine stand), you will have to rehang the comb and weights. Best to be seated in view of it and do minor workstuff or drink tea and enjoy the view.
Noise
Using the motor will increase the amount of noise (as you probably herad in the videos) so protecting your ears if you stay in the room is a neccessity and placing the machine so as not to disturb others!
Instructions
I have had the opportunity to leaf through the english and the german version and the german version has a better language knowledge and more precise naming than the english one.See below eg instead of cables it´s “wiring” and instead of in optional/for future functions it´s “for the option”.
They both have the choppy dynamics of instructions eg you jump bakcwards and forwards for simple processes and even jumping from Ck 35 to PPD35 instruction books is neccessary for some informations. A more strealimed and a more step by step instruction would have been more user friendly. Once the machine is hacked it will be neccessary to rewrite the instructions anyway.
Download the instructions Ck 35 in english here
And Parts Manual here
CONCLUSION
BUT despite all this it is worth while to buy one if you can get it. i is relativly simple to use if you know your way around brother knitting machines and need a machine to do a lot of work. It is also capable of using 4 colours in a row and has 6 colour holders. It does with ease what you have to squeeze out of the previous models such as jaquard knitting.
The cost of getting a previous computer model with double bed and motor can be around € 2.500 and even if you get the combo cheaper you dont have the automatic colour changers in it.
A few companies still sell ck 35 s (It seamed to be very popular in the eastern european (where I got mine) and russian states so those are the pages to look at. Possibly even greek?)
And lots of parts are still available on ebay (although a lot of parts are identical to previous models such as the bed and pattern mechanism, needles, accessories, weights…).
GOOD NEWS
Currently my machine is being hacked by two pros which means that I will be able to attach my pc to it. Pattern design and control of the machine are then done through the pc. Patterns are stored on the pc, the position of the carriage, row counting are done on the computer, such as motor and colour changer control.
I will post more information as the process continues.
BTW
Only a 100 machines were made in 1990 and sold when brother stopped making them. Unfortunately more information is hard to come by, no circuit plans are available or what plans brother had in store for the not yet assigned sockets on the main bed and motor…
AND
If you are an owner of a CK 35 I would love to hear from you, which experiences you have made, any info on the machine etc etc etc
It would be great to have a network of CK 35 owners since there a only so few of these machines.
Write to vlp (at) etib.org
Electronic + Textile Institute Berlin 
Hi, I do own a CK35 which I practically did not use, I just did about 2-3 swatches but never a complete garment. I have been trying to use it these days but I have no patience and would like to sell it, do you have an idea how much I can sell it for? I will appreciate your answer. Cecilia Chavez
Posted by Cecilia Bex Chavez | 8. July 2014, 01:09Hi Cecilia,
we should email: smile@etib.org.
There have been some exciting new developments concerning the hack of the brother machines that I will blog about soon. You will be able to use the machine with your computer. Maybe they will change your mind otherwise I will help find a new “home” for your machine.
Best,
Victoria
Posted by vlpdesigns | 9. July 2014, 14:36Hi Victoria and thanks for your answer but know I got a real problem. I moved my CK35 from one place to another and in doing so I have done something wrong to the Right-side color changer holder keepers (where the yarn holders stay) and 5 of the 6 holders keeper don’t move up or down, the first one does it but not at easy, it seems something impedes from moving freely. Have you any idea what it could e so I can fix it myself? Thanks for any help. Cecilia
Posted by Cecilia Bex Chavez | 27. July 2014, 15:36Hi Victoria, and thank you for your answer. I have another question now. I tried to use the CK-35 today after many years without even turn it on. After trying to remember how to use it I finally got it but, when the carriage tries to get the yarn the yarn holder it falls and does not stay in the carriage to be transported to the other yarn holder keeper in the other side of the machine. This is happening with 2 of the yarn holder keepers, DO YOU KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHY THIS IS HAPPENING, ALTHOUGH I HAVEN’T USED THE MACHINE EVEN ONCE TO COMPLETE A GARMENT, ONLY SWATCHES? Thank you or anybody else for any help you can provide. Cecilia
Posted by Cecilia Bex Chavez | 12. November 2015, 19:14How much you wont for ck35?
Posted by Matevz | 20. September 2014, 23:45Hi, sorry I just read your email. I would like to get $3,000 Dollars because I hasn’t been used practically, I only knitted few swatches never a complete garment or item. The problem is that I only accept pick up from my home, I had a very bad experience when shipping an item in the past. You’ll have to come to my house, try the machine and only then you can buy it, I don’t accept returns either.
Posted by Cecilia Bex Chavez | 12. November 2015, 19:23Cecilia, check Function plate – page 11 parts catalog, fig. 137
Posted by kejki | 1. September 2014, 23:29Assigned sockets on the main bed and motor – preparation for automatic shift beds (racking).
Foot switch is simply bell button, as well as blue S/S (By the way, it sometimes dies).
You do not rehang comb when you have the engine move down.
Different tension – shorten the spring.
Posted by kejki | 23. October 2014, 20:05Hi Victoria, I am also an owner of a CK 35 but up till now have not have space to set it up. I already use several other Brother/Knitking machines, motor drive, etc. I am very interested in hearing about using my computer for patterning. I already have a dedicated laptop for machine embroidery.
Posted by Lee Timmerman | 12. October 2014, 05:54PPD 35 can be connected to the analog card in PC and is very simply.
Posted by kejki | 23. October 2014, 20:07hello , my name is christopher i have a ck35 and would like to set it up for use and any software information you can share would be most welcome ,e.g your top post about annalog on a pc working with the ppd thank you for your help
Posted by Christopher Enuke | 16. June 2017, 12:18Can anybody help me? I am desperate to find manual in english for ppd35 design system (pdf.)! Thanks in advance 🙂
Posted by Saša | 24. November 2014, 23:50Sorry, I can only find it in german: http://machineknittingetc.com/brother-ppd-for-ck35-patterning-device-user-guide.html
maybe the pictures help in combination of the other ppd manuals. Or switch to the ayab hack at http://www.ayab-knitting.com
Posted by vlpdesigns | 25. November 2014, 00:24Yes, I only can find it in german, but is there at all in english or is it written only in german? Thanks for replaying to my first question 🙂
Posted by Saša | 25. November 2014, 15:35I did translations.
I was a dealer.
Posted by kejki | 27. November 2014, 19:50That´s good to know. I would like to write to you later with questions about brother and the machines.
Best,
Victoria
Posted by vlpdesigns | 30. November 2014, 12:19Nebylo by to jednodušší rovnou česky?
Posted by kejki | 26. November 2014, 09:31As far as I know they were only printed in english or german…
Posted by vlpdesigns | 27. November 2014, 11:46If anyone is interested I am selling my knitting machine Brother CK 35?! You can contact me vie e-mail: savadinovic@hotmail.com for more information.
Posted by Saša | 15. January 2015, 16:47Hi,
is there anybody out there in CK35-universum? I bought mine a year ago. And slowly I am collecting knowledge, but there is a long way to go. Help is welcome.
Posted by Petra Diekhans | 26. March 2015, 23:02I have a CK-35 knitting machine which I haven’t used but to make few swatches. Today I tried to use it and when the carriage tried to pick up the yarn holder, the yarn holder fell and did not stay in the carriage to be transported to the other color changer’s yarn holder keeper. This happens with two yarn holders only 2 and 4 from the left side. Does anyone know how to fix this problem?
Posted by Cecilia Bex Chavez | 12. November 2015, 19:39Does anyone know where I can buy yarn holders for the CK-35? I have tried E-Bay and the internet buy no luck.
Posted by Cecilia Bex Chavez | 16. November 2015, 06:26Sunny Choi has them http://shop.sckmcl.com.hk/ but super expensive. I was thinking of 3D printing them.
As for your other problem I haven´t used it yet as I am still waiting for it to be completely hacked and connected.
Posted by vlpdesigns | 16. November 2015, 11:16Thank you VLPDESIGN but no, he doesn’t have them any more, I got a refund because he run out of them.
Posted by Cecilia Bex Chavez | 16. November 2015, 18:06Yarn holder keeper or catcher assembly? I have both the color changer and against catcher metal teeth. Catcher not. In Czech republic.
Posted by kejki | 16. November 2015, 21:32Hi, a friend needs repairs or replacement of her ppd 35. Can you help? Please contact me: happy(at)etib(dot)org
Posted by vlpdesigns | 11. July 2017, 22:06I have 15 brother ck35 machines i want to sale them i anybody intrested contact me on whatsapp.0096896391053.
Posted by jawad ahmed | 6. November 2016, 10:09I have a ck35, but don’t know how to use iT yet, would-be love to come in contact with other owners. Curious about the pro’s who hacked yours!
Posted by Rianne Hartman | 11. July 2019, 20:32What machines is CK-35 compatible with? I need a connecting arm for manual knitting without a color changer and without a computer. Thank you for answer.
Posted by Zuzana | 13. July 2020, 22:50Druhé lůžko CK 35 je unikátní. Nejde použít jiný spojovací můstek.
The second bed CK 35 is unique. You cannot use another connecting arm.
Posted by kejki | 25. January 2021, 22:17