Abstract: Needles in knitting machines are selected for pattern purposes by a lever system operated by a pattern drum mounted on a carriage passable to and fro over the needle bed. The lever system incorporates locking-sinkers provided with contact feet in staggered relationship so that different force requirements apply to different ones of the rocking sinkers. The present invention provides an additional foot on the end of each rocking sinker and a cam element on the carriage to engage the said additional feet of the rocking sinkers selected by the pattern drum fully to depress the selected rocking sinkers whereby to ensure actuation of the selected needles.