Abstract: A knitting machine having two opposed arrays of latched needles arranged in respective flat needle beds and means for actuating the needles of the arrays independently in succession along the arrays, the actuating means being borne by a carriage mounted above and movable back and forth longitudinally along the needle beds, the machine further including an elongated restraining element extending longitudinally between the needle beds, a housing to support and contain the restraining element, the restraining element also extending longitudinally between the needle beds, both housing a restraining element being borne by the carriage on a substantially horizontal support member for movement therewith, the element and the housing being relatively movable longitudinally of the needle beds whereby the element can be brought to an operative position projecting from the housing or to an inoperative position retracted in the housing, and actuator means for causing the restraining element to be in its operative position