Abstract: A textile machine having a multiplicity of yarn manipulating instrumentalities includes a yarn break detector. The specific machine disclosed is a tufting machine having a multiplicity of reciprocable needles threaded with respective yarns supplied from a source and the yarn break detector includes at least one metal washer carried by a respective yarn between the needles and the source. The washers are mounted above a trough having first and second spaced apart strips of electrical conducting members formed in a Vee configuration having a small gap between the plates at the lower apex of the Vee. The plates are connected in an electrical circuit which is maintained open by the gap until a yarn is broken and the washer carried thereon drops into the trough to short the plates together and close the circuit. The circuit includes a relay which energizes an indicator light and deenergizes the tufting machine motor when a yarn is broken.