Abstract: Electronic means for selective raising of the needles in circular knitting machines by the selective raising of jacks individually related to the needles in the cylinder needle slots, the jacks being of the rocking type having a fulcrum butt intermediate their ends. Alternate jacks are mechanically rocked to non-needle raising position while intervening jacks are mechanically rocked to needle raising position. A first electromagnet when selectively energized acts upon the intervening jacks at a point above their fulcrum butts to selectively rock selected ones of such jacks to non-needle raising position, while a second electromagnet when selectively energized acts upon the alternate jacks at a point below their fulcrum butts to selectively rock selected ones of such jacks to needle raising position.