Abstract: The present sinker control is operable to control the positioning of terry sinkers in the knitting machine during reciprocatory knitting of heel and toe pockets in socks. The sinker control operates to form terry loops on all but a few needles at opposite ends of the narrowed and widened partial courses of the pockets so that narrow areas adjacent the suture lines are devoid of terry loops. An auxiliary terry sinker control cam (35) is operable for engaging the upstanding nebs of the terry sinkers (T) and moving them inwardly to a partially advanced position and a main terry sinker control cam (45) is engageable with the nebs of the terry sinkers to insert the same earlier than normal to form terry loops. The operation of the main terry sinker control cam is controlled during reciprocation by a needle butt cam (60) and during continuous rotary knitting by cams on a pattern control drum (24).