Abstract: A heald control selection mechanism including at least one elongate heald rod movable longitudinally between first and second limits of reciprocal motion having heald rod knives continuously reciprocating along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heald rod. The heald rod is biased to normally reside at the first limit of reciprocal motion. The heald rods and knives include cooperating latches which automatically engage when each knife moves relative to the heald rod along said path in a direction toward the second limit of reciprocal motion and which automatically disengage when the knife moves relative to the heald rod along said path in the opposite direction. A heald rod selection control is operable to selectively isolate or inactivate the cooperating latch when the heald rod resides at said first limit of reciprocal motion and on actuation renders active the cooperating latch to enable either knife to move the heald rod toward said second limit of reciprocal motion.