Abstract: A fabric manipulating device for use with a knitting machine of the type having a flat needle bed containing a plurality of equi-spaced knitting needles tricked into the bed includes a carrier that is mounted on the bed for sliding, needle-by-needle movement along the bed to effect loop manipulation. A cam-controlled linking needle is mounted on the carrier in the plane of the knitting needle in opposing relationship thereto for movement to and from the knitting needles to effect the intended knitted loop linking manipulation. A cam-controlled positioning member and loop restricting member, operating in timed relationship with a cam-controlled loop expanding mechanism and stationary loop contacting surfaces, orients and expands a knitted loop retained on the stem of a knitting needle opposing the linking needle to permit the linking needle to enter the expanded loop while a cam-controlled actuator causes the knitting needle to knock-over the loop onto the linking needle.

Abstract: A knitting width indication system for hand knitting machines, wherein a fabric piece pattern memory device and a pattern width indication display device cooperating with the knitting machine carriage are provided, and whereby the knitting width is read out step by step from the pattern width electronic memory device in synchronism with the traversing movement of the carriage on a needle bed to display the knitting width of each knitting step on a pattern width indication display device. The pattern width electronic memory device stores a variety of fabric outline pattern data. The fabric outline width data are read out and displayed in serial order, in synchronism with each traversing movement of the carriage. Referring to the fabric outline width datum on the display device, the operator can set the proper knitting width on the needle bed.