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A metal sub-take-up spring attached to a Brother knitting machine's tension mast, used for adding tension during Fairisle and Thread Lace knitting

What's this wire?

This "mystery" wire does have a purpose. Don't worry if you don't have one.

mast take-up spring take up spring

Brother standard gauge machines are often found with this "mystery spring" that is included on the tension mast assembly.

The sub take up spring is designed to add additional tension to the working yarn when knitting
Fairisle (Knit-in) or Thread Lace (punch lace)

This type of tension assembly is most often found with the more "modern" standard gauge machines (Brother 900 series).

Sub Take-up Spring

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Not knowing what this wire is, some knitters have been known to cut it off to get it "out of the way".
Do you have this spring on your tension mast? Do you use it?

Do you have any other "mystery" pieces and parts that you can't identify?
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13 COMMENTS
Cherie S
 May 16, 2023
I've got this wire spring on both my standard and bulky machines. The wire is longer on the Brother 260. I find that it gets in the way a lot-- maybe it has been hinting I should use it more! :)

Lisanne B
 May 10, 2023
Thanks for this, I’ve been wondering what it was. Brother had them before the 900 series, as I have one on my 840

Sue J
 May 10, 2023
@sheri P - Brother / Knit King machines

Sheri P
 May 10, 2023
Never seen it before. What brand of machine uses this?

Marie-Jo C
 May 10, 2023
I have been wondering for a long time about what this little piece was made for! It seems that I am not alone... I don't knit fair isle very often, but it's useful to know what comes with my machine!

Lara F
 May 9, 2023
It's definitely on my Brother standard gauge and Taitexma mid-gauge. I have never known was it was used for and now I'll start using it for when I'm using two colors. I have had issues with things getting twisted up.

Sue J
 May 9, 2023
Bulky??? When I wrote this, I wasn't sure if this was just a standard gauge thing .... I've only seen it referred to in the standard manuals. Although a knitter recently received new Taitexma mid-gauge machine that came with a sub take-up spring. (No thread lace on this machine)

Esther R
 May 9, 2023
I have one and I was using it but as I see now not the right way!

Leslie E
 May 9, 2023
MY Knitking bulky has one. Is that weird?

An V
 May 9, 2023
I have this but dont use it . Thanks for the explanation

Sandra C
 May 9, 2023
I have this and never knew what it was for. Great tip! Thanks Sue!

Jane D
 May 9, 2023
No, I don't use it but I might now I know what it is for ??

Jenny M B
 May 9, 2023
Have it. Dont use it, but rarely knit Fair Isle and even more rarely knit Thread Lace.

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