Abstract: To reduce the drive power consumption of a circular knitting machine by reducing the contact area of a tool for the knitting machine with the side faces of a thin groove to suppress a rise in temperature and the thermal deformation of the knitting machine by frictional heat. A part of the stem (17) of the tool for the circular knitting machine is raised from the bottom face (20) of the thin groove (19) in which the tool for the circular knitting machine is inserted and, at the same time, sunk from the upper end face (21) of the thin groove to form float parts (22, 22A to 22L) extending parallel with the thin groove (19). When a distance (L) between the bottom face and the upper end face of the thin groove (19) is used as a reference, the float part is so formed that its raised length (L1) is 10 to 40% of (L) and its sunk length (L2) is 10 to 40% of (L).

Abstract: A knitting instrumentality for use in a knitting machine and method of forming the same is provided and includes an elongate body member (10, 110, 210) stamped from sheet metal (11, 111, 211) in a predetermined shape and having a fine concave-and-convex pattern (12, 113, 114, 215) formed in the side faces thereof to reduce the contact area of such knitting instrumentality when placed in the knitting machine to reduce the static frictional forces thereon.

Abstract: Needles for knitting machines are disclosed which are effective in preventing damage to the head and abrasion loss of the butt. In a needle having a bridge, stem and/or guide piece, the width of the bridge, stem and/or the guide piece is wider at the side which is nearer to the butt, than at the side which is farther from the butt. When such a needle has more than one bridge, more than one stem, and/or more than one guide piece, the width of at least one bridge, stem and/or guide piece which is nearer to the butt is wider than that of the bridge, stem and/or guide piece which is farther from the butt.

Abstract: Damages to the butt of a needle having bridges used in a raceway circular knitting machine, an eight-lock circular knitting machine or an interlock circular knitting machine can be prevented by using a combination of at least two kinds of needles with different butt positions in the same knitting machine. The butt of a needle is positioned right next to a bridge of the adjacent needle.

Abstract: A pivoted latch needle having a concave shaped seat formed in the stem portion thereof to receive therein the spoon end of the latch when the latter is moved to its opened position, the shape of the surface of the seat conforming to the curvature of the exterior surface of an arcuate section of a right circular cone the axis of which extends lengthwise of the needle, the curvatures of the surface of the convex side of the spoon end of the latch and of the surface of the seat being similar so that there is surface to surface contact therebetween, and a method of forming the seat by the use of an end milling cutter of cone shape to remove predetermined material from the stem of the needle.