The main needle positions

There are 3 main needle positions on a knitting machine:

1. Non-Working position
2. Working position
3. Upper working position
These may be shown by engraved marks at the end of the bed as A, B, C etc, or in numbers.

Explanation of function and use:
1. Non-working position: this is when the needles are pushed right back in the bed. The hooks lie inside the bed, and the ‘butts’ are up against the rear runner.
Needles in this position will not move or knit when the carriage is passed across.

2. Working position: this is when the needles are pushed about 1cm (1/2 inch) forwards so that the hooks are level with the gate pegs (the upwards pointing prongs that run along the front of the machine).
This is the standard knitting position. Needles in this position will move forwards, slide back a little further, and then return to the original position when the carriage that is set to plain knitting is passed across, thus making stitches.

3. Upper working position: this is when the needles are pulled as fully forward as possible, so that the butts are just behind the front runner bar.
Needles in this position will knit a stitch when the carriage set to plain knitting is passed across. The needle then returns to working position. They can be prevented from knitting (or returning to working position) by altering the carriage setting; this technique is called ‘holding’.