Abstract: Method and apparatus for knitting fleece fabrics on a knitting machine having two sets of needles disposed for movement in planes disposed at angles to each other to form a fabric construction; and wherein one set of needles is employed exclusively to knit a jersey ground construction from relatively lightweight yarns, while selected of the other set of needles are employed with selected needles of said one set to inlay a much heavier yarn along selected courses to pass alternately over and be tucked under groups of one or more consecutive wales of the knit ground construction without forming stitches therein. The heavy inlay yarns are drawn by the selected needles of the other set to appear primarily on one face of the fabric, and these selected needles which hold the inlay yarn are retracted to less than full welt position to dispose the inlaid yarn below the plane of knitting movement of certain of the needles of said one set.