Abstract: A slider type needle for a knitting machine, comprising a needle (1) equipped with a beard (3) and a slider (2) having an associated length, a butt (4), a nose (5) and a stitch bearing shoulder (6), this slider being displaceable relative to the needle in order to close and open the beard of the needle and in order to permit the nose and shoulder of the needle to drive a stitch so as to execute a stitch transfer. The slider (2) has a U-shaped profile enabling it to straddle the needle (1). The slidcr is split (7, 15) in its end region, in order to allow an opposite needle or slider to pass through in order to carry out a stitch transfer or punching. This needle affords new knitting possibilities, in particular it makes it possible to carry out punching without an auxiliary section.