Abstract: In the carriage of a hand knitter, the guide track includes a bifurcation formed by two elongated permanent magnets, opposite poles of which face each other across the bifurcation to form a nearly homogeneous magnetic field. Also mounted on the carriage, above the guide track bifurcation, is an electromagnet the axis of which is vertically aligned with the middle of the bifurcation. When energized, the electromagnet produces a field which reinforces the permanent magnetic field on one side of the vertical axis and opposes, and thereby decreases the field on the other side. As a result, a foot of the needle is attracted into the bifurcated track guide on the side having the reinforced magnetic field and follows this path which is defined by the corresponding elongated permanent magnet. Very little energy is used to accomplish needle setting in this manner, wherein the electromagnet setting signals are provided just as the needle foot enters the bifurcation.

Abstract: In this control unit for a hand knitter, a data source such as a magnetic tape recorder provides both the row-by-row knitting pattern data and shaping information related to the outline contour of the article to be knitted. The shaping data is supplied as row numbers and stitch data specifying the number of stitches to be added or cast off in each knitted row identified by the row numbers. The control unit compares the supplied row numbers to the number of the row next to be knitted. If stitch changes are required, the requisite stitch data is visually displayed, and optionally the knitter carriage is momentarily blocked and an audible signal is sounded.