Abstract: An elongated blade (20) has a slot (22) for receiving a contact bar (15) and an eyelet (30) at one end for receiving passing yarn (11). The eyelet (30) has a curled lip (34). The upper end of the slot has a slanted, or oblique, edge (23) which forms an angle with each side of the slot (22). A flange which includes an oblique edge flange (24) and side edge flanges (26, 28), extends around the perimeter slot (22) except at the intersection of the oblique edge (23) and the longer side of the slot. In one preferred embodiment of the drop wire (10), the blade is twisted (32) between the slot (22) and the eyelet (30) to position the eyelet (30) and slot (22) 90.degree. with respect to one another. In another embodiment (12), the blade is flat.