latch needle

Also known as: self-acting needle

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

A latch needle is a fine steel needle used in machine knitting. It features a butt at one end and a short hook at the other, which is closed by a latch. This type of needle, invented in 1847, is a fundamental component of modern knitting machines, allowing for the efficient creation of knitted fabrics by interlocking loops of yarn. Unlike older "bearded" needles, the latch needle is considered "self-acting" because the latch closes automatically as a new loop is formed.12

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textile
Knitting machines
The latch needle is composed of a curved hook, a latch, or tumbler, that swings on a rivet just below the hook, and the stem, or butt. It is sometimes called the self-acting needle because no presser is needed; the hook is closed by the pressure…
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The latch needle is composed of a curved hook, a latch, or tumbler, that swings on a rivet just below the hook, and the stem, or butt. It is sometimes called the self-acting needle because no presser is needed; the hook is closed by the pressure…
Read More