Abstract: A yarn feed device for circular knitting machines includes a yarn guide (12) by which the yarn (4) is fed to to the knitting implements (3) of the knitting machine from the side. For reliable feed of the yarn the yarn, guide has a downwardly open guide channel (26) with an exit section (29). The channel angle (b) is smaller than the yarn angle (a), at least at the exit section. A passage (14) passing through the yarn guide is provided as a further yarn guide, of which one bounding wall preferably has a yarn threading opening (31) in the form of a slot opening to facilitate threading the yarn.