Knitting machine and needle for manufacture of knit plush fabric having a nap, or pile loops

To make knit plush fabric having a base knitted fabric which base yarn is knitted to four knit stitches or loops and an inlay or plating plush yarn having loops in side portions is interknitted with and anchored in the base fabric, one of the beds, for example, the dial of a circular knitting machine has plush latch needles which are formed with an auxiliary angled latch, pivoted to rotate with respect to the needle shank in parallel with operation of the normal latch tongue, and a spring secured to the needle to lock the auxiliary angled latch in position. The other bed of the machine will carry sinker lamella and, if open plush fabric is desired, cutters to cut open the pile loops.

The present invention relates to knit plush fabric in which an inlay plush 
yarn or thread is knitted into and interlocked with a base knitted fabric, 
to a method of making such a fabric, and to a circular knitting machine to 
make the fabric and to components, particularly needles thereof. 
Various types of plush goods have been described in the literature; for 
example German Pat. Nos. 1,153,482 and 1,585,051 disclose plush goods 
having high nap, a pile both cut and looped, in which the plush yarn forms 
two-thread loops with the stitches of the base material, so that the plush 
yarn is securely fixed in the base material. Further, German Pat. No. 
1,943,345 describes plush fabric in which the plush yarn is worked into 
the base knit fabric between the knock-over loops and the loops, or 
stitches formed by the needles themselves, similarly to lined material, 
and is later on securely connected to the base goods by means of 
adhesives. 
Working a plush yarn into the loops of the base material in such a manner 
that it forms double-thread loops or stitches therewith, makes the 
resulting material very heavy if the plush yarn material is comparatively 
thick, and thus substantially increases the cost of the fabric. The other 
type of plush goods, in which the plush yarns are between the needle 
stitches and the knock over stitches requires adhesion in order to provide 
for secure connection between the plush thread or yarn and the base 
fabric, thus limiting the use of the fabric while additionally causing 
costs to be incurred by the adhesion step, which also further requires an 
additional step in the production process. 
All the types of plush goods previously referred to have as a common 
feature that the plush yarn is attached to the base goods at an 
inclination. As a result, the nap of the plush is not vertically 
projecting from the general or main plane of the base fabric. 
THE INVENTION 
It is an object to provide apparatus and apparatus components which results 
in plush fabric in which the plush yarn is securely locked to the base 
goods while projecting essentially vertically therefrom so that the nap 
stands upright, without requiring interknitting an excessive amount of 
plush thread or yarn material in the base goods, and which is universally 
useful for plush goods without requirement of additional special treatment 
steps or subsequent processing. 
Briefly, the plush inlay yarn is passed through the knit stitches or loops 
of the base fabric in the form of loops wrapped around the side portions 
of the knit stitches of the base fabric, knocked off over the knit 
stitches and pulled tight about the knit stitches such that the plaiting 
or inly plush thread or yarn is knitted into the loops or stitches of the 
base fabric like being knotted thereto, the plush yarn having upwardly 
projecting side portions. 
The plush fabric provides for true knotting of the plush loops or stitches 
with the base fabric with a similar connection as that found in hand 
knotted carpets. The base fabric, preferably, is single layer plain knit 
fabric; for certain specific desired applications, different stitch or 
loop formations can be used, however. 
The side portions of the plush inlay yarn can be cut open at the center 
point between the apeces of the loops; if so, the appearance will be 
similar to a Wilton carpet. The fabric, therefore, can be selectively 
formed with a looped, or with a cut nap, as desired. The plush inlay yarn 
may be interknitted with the base fabric only in selected stitches 
thereof, in accordance with certain patterns. Usually, however, the plush 
yarn will be interknitted with all stitches or loops of the base fabric. 
The base fabric may be made of yarn which, essentially, maintains its 
dimensions, or may be made of elastic yarn. 
The fabric in accordance with the present invention is versatile in 
application; it may be used, for example, similar to terrycloth, that is, 
for toweling or the like; it may be used as upolstery fabric, for carpets 
(in which the inlay yarn is not adhered to the base) as well as for 
articles of clothing. Ordinarily, the base fabric will be a single yarn 
fabric, to which the inlay plush yarn is knotted. At any one knitting 
feed, therefore, only a single yarn thread is being worked on, so that 
wide selection is possible regarding the thickness of the yarn, its 
quality, and its composition. The plush inlay yarn and the base fabric 
yarn may have substantial differences. 
The method of making the fabric is described and claimed my U.S. Pat. No. 
4,026,126 of which this is a division. 
The plush fabric is made, in accordance with the invention, by a circular 
knitting machine in which one of the rows of knitting elements, for 
example the dial, has plush knitting needles therein which are so arranged 
that an auxiliary pivotable angled latch is located thereon, which latch 
can be locked in at least one latching position. The other knitting 
elements located in the other row of the machine, for example in the 
cylinder, are sinker lamellae located in the guide slots thereof. The 
angled auxiliary latch on the plush knitting needles may be locked in 
position, for example, by a steel spring secured to the needle shank in 
order to prevent random pivoting thereof. 
The sinker lamellae located in the other row or needle bed of the machine 
-- for example in the cylinder -- permit extending the loop ends of the 
inlay plush yarn, thus securely knotting the plush yarn into the stitches 
of the base fabric. Preferably, the sinkers are formed with hook ends, the 
hooks facing the needles. In such an arrangement, the plush yarn unhooks 
itself from the hooked ends upon release of the plush yarn therefrom. 
In fabric made by machines with coarse cuts, and to use plush yarn of 
ticker gauge, the plush knitting needles may be formed of two elements, 
one being a standard latch needle and the other a second element located 
in the upper side of the blade, or shank of the latch needle and carrying 
the angled latch element, as well as the locking spring therefore. Both 
the needle, as well as the auxiliary element are slidable, and can be 
controlled by a common cam race of the cam system of the knitting machine. 
If the nap is to be cut, then the sinker lamellae are preferably 
constructed to two parallel located thin sheet lamellae, made, for 
example, of thin sheet metal between which a cutter lamella is located 
having a sharpe cutting edge. The cutter lamella is separately 
controllable to slide relative to the two associated sinker lamellae in 
the direction of the end hook on the sinkers to cut the connecting loop 
between stitches of the plush yarn.

The fabric (FIG. 1) shows a knitted base yarn 1 in which the stitches ae 
arranged in a plane jersey knitted fabric. The base fabric determines the 
density and strength of the ultimate plush to be knitted. 
The stitches or loops 2 of the base fabric have a plush inlay yarn 3 pulled 
therethrough in form of a loop 4. As seen in FIG. 1 the two side portions 
5,6 of the base stitch 2 have the yarn 4 looped thereabout, knocked off 
over the end loop portion 7 of the base loop 2 and then pulled tight. The 
plush yarn 3 then will have upstanding pile ends 8 which are locked into 
the stitch 2 of the base fabric similar to a knot connection. The lateral 
portions of the plush fabric pile ends 8 can be cut intermediate the 
respective stitches thereof, resulting in a cut pile, or cut nap plush 
fabric. 
The density of the plush fabric can be determined by the cut of the base 
fabric, the number of stitches in the base fabric, as well as by the 
nature of interknitting of the inlay plush yarn 3. FIG. 1 illustrates the 
plush yarn 3 knitted into each one of the stitches 2 of the base fabric. 
The arrangement may be different, however, for example, by interknitting 
the plush yarn 3, in accordance with a predetermined pattern, only in 
selected ones of the stitches 2 of the base fabric, for example in every 
other one, in two adjacent ones skipping one and the like. The base fabric 
may be a single thread fabric made of normal yarn; for some applications 
the yarn 1 of the base fabric may be elastic material. Rather than 
knitting a plain jersey fabric, other types of stitches can be used (for 
example purl stitches); the base fabric may be of a single color or 
multi-colored, as determined by patterning control elements. 
The machine to make the fabric of FIG. 1 is schematically, and in highly 
perspective view illustrated in FIG. 2, from which all those elements 
which are customary in circular knitting machines have been omitted for 
ease of illustration. For example, the cam races of the control cams for 
the needles have been omitted, the needles being shown in their respective 
positions as controlled by the cams and cam lock mechanisms of the dial, 
and cylinder, respectively. The needle beds, that is, the dial and 
cylinder, are formed with suitable guide slots S (FIG. 12a) in which 
knitting elements -- needles in the dials and sinker lamellae in the 
cylinder -- are inserted. The cut is highly exaggerated for clarity of 
illustration. 
FIGS. 6 to 11 are fragmentary views showing the end portions of cylinder 9 
and dial 10, which carry the needle bed, as well known, and in which the 
knitting elements are longitudinally slidable. The sinkers 13 are in the 
form of lamellae, that is, thin metal strips. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 
and as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 12 these are single-element units which 
have a hook 14 facing the dial 10. 
The guide slots S of the dial 10 have needles 15 located therein. As seen 
in FIG. 5, in sequentially arranged views a to e, and as more specifically 
shown in FIGS. 21 to 26, the needles ae single, unitary elements which 
have two latch hooks. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the needles are compound 
elements in which a second latch hook is arranged on a separate shank. The 
needles 15, or 150, (FIGS. 3, 4) are projected by engagement of a butt 
153' FIG. 2, or 153, 183, (FIG. 3 and 4), respectively, in the cam race of 
the usual dial cam structure (not shown), which is fixed with respect to 
the base of the machine, and with respect to which the needles are moved. 
Similarly, the sinker lamellae 13 are controlled by the cam race a 
stationary cylinder cam structure, not shown, and as well known in 
connection with the projection of cylinder needles in circular knitting 
machines. 
The needles 15 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, have a hook 17 and a latch 19 
pivoted on the shank 18 of the needle, as standard and well known. In 
accordance with the feature of the invention, a second latch element 20, 
which is angular in shape is pivoted in a suitable groove of the needle 
shank 18, similar to the pivoting arrangement of latch 19. The second, or 
auxiliary latch 20 has two arms 21, 22 which are angled with respect to 
each other at an approximately right angle, or less. The forward arm 22 is 
so arranged that its front portion overlaps, or falls below the latch 19 
of the needle when the latch is extended backwardly, that is, when the 
latch is open. As seen in view a of FIG. 5, the forward arm 22 overlaps 
the shank 18 of the needle, but is beneath the open latch 19. The other 
atm 21 is so arranged that in this portion of the auxiliary latch 20, it 
projects outwardly, at an approximate right angle, or tipped slightly 
forwardly, as seen in FIG. 5. A leaf spring 23 is secured to the shank 18. 
Leaf spring 23 has a length to just engage the arm 21 of auxiliary latch 
20 to hold the latch 20 in either of two positions shown, as illustrated 
in views a l and b of FIG. 5, as will be discussed in detail. 
Manufacture of the fabric of FIG. 1, and operation of the machine, with 
reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 to 11: 
The auxiliary latch 20 cooperates with the latch tongue 19 of the needle 15 
to form the knot-like connection of the inlay plush yarn 3 with the 
stitches 2 of the base fabric. Initially, in the position of the elements 
shown in FIG. 6, illustrated by the needle VI in FIG. 2, a stitch 2 of the 
base yarn 1 is caught in the hook 17 of the retracted needle 15. As the 
needle 15 is projected, the loop of the stitch 2 of the base thread, 
hanging in the hook 17, slips over the open latch 19 and over the 
underlying arm 22 of the auxiliary latch 20 until it catches in the angle 
between the two arms 21, 22 of the auxiliary latch 20 without, however, 
tipping the auxiliary latch. This is illustrated in FIG. 7, and FIG. 5 
view a, and shown at needle VII of FIG. 2. 
Further projections of the needle 15 causes tipping of the auxiliary latch 
20 due to the pull of the loop 2 of the base yarn 1, so that the arm 22, 
will flip upwardly -- see needle VIII, FIG. 2, FIG. 5 view 5b, and FIG. 8. 
The auxiliary latch 20 is locked in this position by spring 23 and the 
loops 2 of the base yarn 1 is positively positioned on the shank of the 
needle 15. 
A yarn guide 24 now places the inlay plush yarn 3 behind the open latch 19 
on the back of the shank of the needle 15. The sinker lamellae 13 catch 
the inlay yarn with their hooks and pull it downwardly, as sequentially 
illustrated with respect to needles VIII and VIIIa, FIG. 2 and as also 
seen in FIG. 5, view b and FIG. 8. 
Needle 15, with the base yarn loop 2 at the back and the inlay yarn in 
front is now retracted. The arm 22 of the auxiliary latch 20 will now lay 
over the open latch 19 of the needle, so that the inlay plush yarn 3 will 
be locked beneath the arm 21 of the auxiliary latch 20 -- see needle IX of 
FIG. 2, FIG. 5, view c and FIG. 9. 
Further retraction movement of needle 15 causes the loop 2 of the base yarn 
to slip over the narrow arm 22 of auxiliary latch 20 back into the hook 17 
of the needle. This causes the loop of the plush inlay yarn which is 
located on the back of the needle to be pulled through the loop 2 -- see 
FIG. 2, needles X and Xa. FIG. 5, view d and FIG. 10. This movement causes 
the plush inlay yarn to be located behind the open needle latch, as 
clearly seen in FIG. 5, view d and FIG. 10, so that further retraction of 
the needle 15 causes the latch 19 to close the hook 17 of the needle -- 
see FIG. 2 needle Xa, FIG. 5, view d, and FIG. 10. 
Further retraction of the needle 15 causes the plush inlay yarn 3 to be 
knocked off over the latch 19 (which is closed) over the hook 17, that is, 
over the end thereof. The inlay yarn 3 thus is looped around the lateral 
portions 5, 6 of the base yarn stitch 2 in the form of a knot; the base 
yarn stitch 2 still hangs in the hook 17 of the needle. Thus, an inlay 
stitch, or inlay loop is securely interknitted with the base loop 2 -- see 
FIG. 2, needle Xa, and needle XI, FIG. 5, view e and FIG. 11. 
The sinker lamellae 8, pull the lateral portions 8 of the stitch of the 
inlay or plaiting yarn and hold the inlay of plaiting yarn stretched over 
the back of the needle. 
The inlay or plaiting yarn is held in this stretched position until the 
loop or stitch formed by the inlay or plaiting yarn, which might be termed 
the pile knot or pile stitch is securely interlocked in the base stitch 2 
of the knitted base fabric, as is clearly apparent by the position of the 
sinkers 13, considered in the sequential views FIGS. 8 through 11. 
The inlay or plaiting yarn 3, now formed in loops is released from the 
hooks 14 of the sinker lamellae automatically by the fabric roll-up 
mechanism upon forming new courses of the base thread 1 and upon 
subsequent raising of the sinker lamellae 13, since the hooks 14 of sinker 
lamellae 13 face inwardly, that is, face the needles 15 on which the plush 
yarn is being knitted. 
At a subsequent feed, the needle 15 is projected only to a lesser degree, 
that is, upon normal projection the needles 15 can knit in stitches 
similar to ordinary well known latch needles. The base yarn 1 is supplied 
by the customary usual yarn guides (not shown) to form ordinary jersey 
fabric. The loops of the plush fabric are then interknitted in the thus 
formed loops 2 at the next feed, as previously described. 
FIG. 5, in views a to e, as well as FIGS. 6 to 11 illustrate needles 15 
which are unitary, that is, have a single-element needle shank or blade 
18. Needles for use with machines having a coarse cut, and particularly to 
form fabric having heavy pile threads, needles 15 can be constructed as 
dual-needle elements as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, in which corresponding 
parts have been given corresponding reference numerals. 
Needle 150 has a lower, or base part 151 which is constructed as a standard 
latch needle. It has a narrow, low shank 180. The back of the shank 180 of 
the first or needle part 151 has a second part 152 arranged thereon, which 
is formed of a narrow shaft 182, the front end of which carries the 
pivotally secured auxiliary latch 20 having the two arms 21, 22. Leaf 
spring 23 is secured in shaft 182, for example, by forming a narrow slit 
in the shaft, and crimping the leaf spring therein, or securing it by an 
interference fit. The operation of the composite compound needle formed of 
parts 151, 152 is similar to that of the unitary needle. The two parts 
151, 152 are formed with respective butts 153, 183, located one behind the 
other (see FIGS. 3, 4) and engagable together in a common cam race of the 
cam track or cam lock, so that both parts 151, 152 are commonly 
controlled. 
If the plush is to be cut pile fabric, then it is necessary to cut open the 
lateral portions of the plush or pile loops. To effect cutting during the 
manufacturing operation of the fabric, the single-element sinkers 13 are 
replaced by multiple elements, best seen in FIGS. 18 and 19. Each one of 
the sinker lamellae consists of individual, congruent, thin sheet metal 
elements 131, shaped similar to the lamella 13 and formed with respective 
end hooks 141. A thin cutter lamella 143 is located between the two sheet 
metal lamella elements 131. Movement of the lamella elements 131 is 
controlled by engagement of respective butts 142 in an appropriate cam 
track, or cam race of the cam lock of the cylinder of the machine. The 
cutter lamella 143 is sharpened at the end to form a cutting edge 144, 
preferably a razor sharp ground edge. Movement of the cutter lamella 143 
is controlled by an individual butt 145, engaging its own cam race or cam 
track of the cylinder cam system. 
Operation: Upon upward movement of the cutter lamella 143 between the two 
lamella elements 131 in the direction of the end hook 141, a pile or plush 
loop hooked into the hooks 141 will be cut, as seen in FIG. 17. Relative 
movement of the cutter lamella 143 and of the sinker lamellae elements 131 
is independent. 
The hooks 141 of the sinker lamellae 131 extend outwardly (FIG. 20) the 
hook 141, could, of course, also extend inwardly; this only requires 
relocation of the butts 142. Outward positioning of the hooks 141 will not 
cause catching of the inlay yarn since the loops thereof are being cut. 
Manufacture of cut-pile or nap plush fabric, with reference to FIGS. 12 to 
17: 
Basically, the sequence of steps is similar to those discussed in 
connection with FIGS. 6 to 11. The steps of FIGS. 12 to 16 correspond 
exactly to the steps previously discussed in connection with FIGS. 7 to 
10. In contrast to the knock over operation discussed in connection with 
FIG. 11, however, the cutter lamella 143 is projected (FIG. 17) so that 
the loop which hangs on the sinker lamella 131 is cut at the lateral 
portion between the interknitted, or "interknotted" loops. Thus, the 
lateral portions 8 are cut, permitting subsequent retraction of the 
lamellae, as well as of the needle; the needle 15 then will pass to the 
next feed, where, as previously discussed, another course of base yarn 
stitches will be formed. 
The needle itself, and its cooperation with the two yarns -- base yarn 1 
and inlay plush yarn 3 -- is best seen with reference to FIGS. 21-26. 
It has previously been proposed (see, for example, German Pat. Nos. 572,374 
and 627,711) to construct latch needles with two sequentially arranged 
latches. To form interlocked stitches of two yarns such needles require an 
extension, or projection of such a needle which is excessively long, and 
causes difficulty in machine construction and machine operation. The 
second needle latch, in the known constructions, is controlled solely by 
the loop, or stitch sliding thereover. Changes in position of the loop or 
stitch beyond those desired or comtemplated may cause positioning of the 
respective latches in undesired relative arrangements, thus causing 
defective fabric. It was difficult to provide arrangements to protect the 
latches of the needles against erroneous positions, and to reposition the 
latches; thus, such needles have not found commercial acceptance. 
The needle of FIGS. 21 to 26 basically is similar to an ordinary circular 
knitting machine latch needle, as well known in the art, having a shank 
with a control butt 253 (shown only in FIGS. 21 and 24, for simplicity), 
and at the forward end a hook 207, which can be opened or closed by a 
latch 208. The needle is formed with a groove in which the latch 208 is 
pivoted. In accordance with the present invention, the groove is extended, 
or a similar groove is formed rearwardly of the groove in which the latch 
208 is secured to permit placement of an auxiliary latch 209. Latch 209 
has two arms, and is pivoted at pivot 291 to the shank of the needle. The 
latch 209 -- see FIG. 26 -- is angled, and is so inserted in the groove 
cut into the shank of the needle that the narrower arm fits with the tip 
thereof under the tip of the latch 208, when open, as best seen in FIG. 
21. 
The distance between the pivot point 91 for auxiliary latch 9 and the pivot 
point of latch 208 is so matched to the length of the latch 208 that the 
tip of the auxiliary latch 209 and the tip of the latch 208 are mutually 
overlapping, either one above the other, as seen in FIGS. 21 and 23 
respectively. The auxiliary latch 9 is as freely movable in its groove and 
about its pivot as the latch 208. 
A leaf spring 210, secured to the shank of the needle, for example, by an 
interference fit in a slit formed in the shank, by being crimped therein 
or in similar manner has a free end which extends to about the position of 
the pivot 291. Leaf spring 210 prevents random flipping of the auxiliary 
latch 209. The leaf spring is weak, and provides slight pressure on the 
rearward arm of auxiliary latch 209. 
Operation to form interlocked loops: 
The auxiliary latch 209 is tipped or pivoted by a stitch 211 already on the 
needle. This stitch 211 is formed during projection of the needle and 
after sliding over the open latch 208 covering the forward arm of 
auxiliary latch 209 (FIG. 21). As the needle continues to project, the 
stitch 211 slides further up on the needle until it catches in the hollow 
formed between the arms of the auxiliary latch and is practically above 
the pivot point 91 of the auxiliary latch. Further projection, and 
rearward sliding of the stitch 211 causes tipping over of the auxiliary 
latch 209 into the position shown in FIG. 22. The tipping angle is about 
80.degree.. 
In the position of FIG. 22, leaf spring 210 covers the shorter arm of the 
auxiliary latch. The forward end of the leaf spring 210 engages the longer 
arm of the auxiliary latch 209, thus securing the position of the 
auxiliary latch 209. Spring 210, thus, holds the latch 209 in position to 
permit an inlay yarn 210 to be inserted to form an interknitted, or 
interknotted fabric formation. Introduction of a further loop of material 
212 is also shown in FIG. 22, which illustrates the loop of the inlay or 
plaiting yarn 212 already in position after having slid back over the open 
latch 208. 
The needle is then projected forwardly. This causes yarn 211 to pull 
forwardly, and flip the auxiliary latch 209 into the position shown in 
FIG. 23. The longer arm of latch 209 now overlaps the tip of the latch 
208. The inlay or plaiting yarn 212 is now beneath the auxiliary latch 
209, whereas the original, or base yarn 211 is above the latch 209, and 
hence above the latch 208. Leaf spring 210 again engages the back of the 
shorter arm of the auxiliary latch 209 to hold it securely in position and 
to lock the inlay or plaiting yarn 212 beneath the overlapping tips of the 
latches 208, 209. The position of the latches in FIG. 23 is, therfore, 
reliably maintained. 
Retraction of the needle then causes the loop 211 to slide over the inner 
portion of the latch 208 and to catch in the hook 207. This motion effects 
looping the yarn 212 through the loop formed by the yarn 211. The yarn 212 
is pulled downwardly by sinkers. Upon further retraction of the needle 
beyond the position shown in FIG. 23, the yarn 212 will slide against the 
bottom of the tongue of the open latch 208, causing slight lifting of the 
auxiliary latch 209 and release of the latch 208, to permit the loop of 
the inlay or plaiting yarn 212 to be knocked off over the closed end of 
the needle (latch 208 having closed over the hook 207), thus forming 
interknotted stitches which are wrapped around each other. 
Sliding motion of the inlay or plaiting yarn 212 causes only slight raising 
of the tip of the latch 208, and hence slight raising of the longer arm of 
the auxiliary latch 209. This does not materially pivot the auxiliary 
latch 209. As soon as the tip of the latch 208 has slipped over the tip of 
the longer arm of latch 209, spring 210 will press the latch 209 
completely downwardly into the position shown in FIG. 21. Latch 208, 
however, will be closed over the hook 207. 
The sequence can then repeat. 
The needle, and the machine are versatile, since ordinary knit goods can be 
made without needle change. If no inlay or plaiting yarn is being used, 
knitting in accordance with ordinary knitting stitches and sequences can 
be carried out; the position of the auxiliary latch will merely be that 
shown in FIG. 21, and the latch will remain in this position. The 
projection, or extension of the needle from non-knitting to knitting 
position need not be as great, however, as the projection when working 
with inlay or plaiting yarn. 
The needle can be used with all types of knitting machines, but is 
particularly useful in circular knitting machines to manufacture knit 
goods with inly or plaiting yarns, such as napped, or pile fabric. The 
reliable and automatic positioning of the auxiliary latch 209 by the 
spring 210 permits operation of the needle in any type of needle bed, in 
the cylinder as well as in the dial, permitting reliable and rapid, high 
speed operation. Even inadvertent change of position of an auxiliary latch 
element 209 will not affect ordinary plain or Jersey knitting since loops 
or stitches applied to the needle will, during knitting operation, 
automatically cause repositioning of the auxiliary latch as desired. 
The needle can be used with practically any commercial cut, and for all 
types of fabrics, for example to make no-run hosiery, as well as for the 
manufacture of plush type fabric, with inlay or plaiting yarns, that is, 
with auxiliary pile or nap yarn, in which the inlay or plaiting yarn is 
securely knotted into a base fabric. The needle has the substantial 
advantage that it can operate with comparatively short projection, or 
extension paths, while reliably interknotting, and interknitting inlay or 
plaiting yarns into a base fabric, and insuring proper positioning of the 
auxiliary latch due to the spring bias. If a change in fabric is desired, 
no needle change in the machine is required, thus eliminating the 
laborious exchange of needle, which is particularly time consuming in 
multi-feed fine cut machines. It is only necessary to arrange the cam 
races for the proper projection for needle operation. The needle can also 
be used in automatically patterned machines, in which inlay or plaiting 
yarn is selectively introduced at some needles, but not all, and the 
particular needles carrying inlay or plaiting yarn vary at different 
feeds. 
Various changes and modifications may be made and features described in 
connection with any one of the embodiments may be used with any of the 
others, within the scope of the inventive concept.