Abstract: First and second spaced apart conveyors, extending toward the knitting instrumentalities of a knitting machine, each carry a plurality of thread clamping means. At least two guide means move from the first conveyor to the second conveyor and draw filling threads from filling thread supplies to positions adjacent to but spaced from the clamping means of both conveyors. The guide means then introduce the filling threads simultaneously into the clamping means of both conveyors. The clamping means of both conveyors then close simultaneously, the filling threads extending from the first conveyor to the rearward guide means are severed, and the forward guide means releases the filling threads. Continued movement of the rearward guide means draws new lengths of filling threads from the thread supplies. Each guide means comprises a carriage and a body, the body being movable toward the conveyors to introduce filling threads into the clamping means of the conveyors.

Abstract: A knitted velour lace fabric is made by knitting a net or mesh ground fabric and knitting velour threads on to the ground fabric. Each velour thread substantially follows the path of one of the ground threads, except that at points along the length of the velour thread the latter is extended across a plurality of wales of the ground fabric to form an elongated loop. Stitches of soluble yarn are knitted on to the ground fabric to temporarily hold the elongated loops against one face of the ground fabric. Thereafter, the fabric is treated with a liquid or vapor to dissolve the soluble yarn and permit the velour loops to project outwardly from the face of the ground fabric. The velour loops may be of different lengths.

Abstract: A needle support assembly including a needle support member, such as a needle bar, a row of knitting needles arranged against the support member, and a spacer between each two successive needles. The spacers are independent of the needles and support member, and are of precisely equal thicknesses, so that each two successive needles in the row are spaced apart the same predetermined distance. As a result, the usual series of parallel slots in the needle bar, or other support member for the needles, can be eliminated. The needle support member may have a groove for accommodating a butt projecting laterally from each needle and spacer, or the support member may have a ridge or ridges over which a notch or notches in each needle and spacer fits. Thin plates extend across the groove or ridges at regularly spaced apart locations, and a predetermined number of needles and spacers fit between each two plates, the spacers abutting the plates being slightly thinner than the other spacers.

Abstract: First and second spaced apart conveyors, extending toward the knitting instrumentalities of a knitting machine, each carry a plurality of thread clamping means. Guide means bring filling threads from filling thread supplies to the first conveyor where they are clamped. The guide means then moves to the second conveyor to pull filling threads from the supplies and draw them between the conveyors, the filling threads being clamped in the second conveyor. Each thread clamping means carried by each conveyor includes a pair of pivoted clamping members and resilient means urging them to a closed condition. An actuating cam engages the clamping members to open them for receiving a filling thread from the guide means. Funnel-like members are carried by the guide means for directing threads into the clamping means. A single locking bar carried by the guide means locks all filling threads against further withdrawal from the supplies after the threads are clamped in the second conveyor.

Abstract: A knitted velour fabric is made by knitting a ground fabric and knitting velour threads on to the ground fabric. Each velour thread is formed as a series of elongated loops knitted into the ground fabric only at their bases. Stitches of soluble yarn are knitted on to the ground fabric to temporarily hold the elongated velour loops against one face of the ground fabric. Thereafter, the fabric is treated with a liquid or vapor to dissolve the soluble yarn and permit the velour loop to project outwardly from the face of the ground fabric.