Abstract: Device for controlling the thread guides in a circular knitting machine, particularly for manufacturing hosiery and similar goods. The machine has a grooved needle cylinder, the grooves containing needles and needle jacks. The machine also has a control drum which controls the needle jacks by selectively tipping them by control elements mounted upon the cylindrical surface of a control drum. The thread guides of the knitting machine are controlled by programming elements mounted on an outer end surface of the control drum, the thread guides being selectively driven by programming elements mounted upon the outer end surface of the control drum.