A loop-forming process includes moving at least two system components (11, 12) in one groove (16) of a needle bed in a first longitudinal direction (y). The system components contact threads (23) for forming loops. At least one spacer (10) is placed between two adjacent system components (11, 12) moved in the groove (16), whereby this spacer (10) contributes to distance (21) adjustment between loop-forming portions in the direction () of the grooves' (16) width. The at least one spacer (10) moves together with a first one of the two adjacent system components (11, 12) and is at least temporarily moved inside a section (41) of the longitudinal (y) extension where the spacer (10) and the second system component (12) are in mechanical contact and/or in which the spacer (10) is in mechanical contact with a second spacer (10) moved together with the second of the two system components (11, 12).

A knit fabric suitable as a reinforcement for tubular elastomeric articles or a fiber-reinforced composite structure wherein (i) the fabric comprises a plurality of first filamentary yarns (first yarns) having a tenacity of 2.5-56 g/dtex and a linear density of 222-10000 dtex that form the loops of the knit of the fabric, (ii) the fabric further comprises at least one second filamentary yarn having a tenacity of 2.5-56 g/dtex and a linear density of 222-10000 dtex that, within a course of the fabric, passes in a helical direction in front of all first yarns in that course and is intertwined with at least some of the first yarns in an adjacent course, and (iii) within a course of the fabric, the length of second reinforcement yarn to the length of first yarn is in the ratio of from 1.0:1.72 to 1.0:6.0.

A knitting system 18 and a needle 1, which show greater stability and consume less power during the knitting process, include a bending portion 9 in which at least one recess 11 is arranged at at least one lateral surface 23 of the needle 1 and/or is formed in such a manner that a shaft offset S exists, in a peripheral direction U, between a working portion 10 of the needle 1 and a shank portion 8 of the needle 1.

A knitting system 18 and a needle 1, which show greater stability and consume less power during the knitting process, include a bending portion 9 in which at least one recess 11 is arranged at at least one lateral surface 23 of the needle 1 and/or is formed in such a manner that a shaft offset S exists, in a peripheral direction U, between a working portion 10 of the needle 1 and a shank portion 8 of the needle 1.

A knitting tool (10), preferably a latch needle, intended for fast-running knitting machines has a meandering shaft with reduced-thickness regions. The meandering shaft is adjoined by a straight shaft extension (16) which likewise has a reduced-thickness portion (32). The shaft extension (16) is distinguished from the shaft (15) by way of its height H2, which is less than the height H1 of the shaft (15). The reduced-thickness region (32) of the shaft extension (16) has a length which is at least much greater than the length of the stitch-forming structure (28) carried by the shaft extension (16). Preferably, the reduced-thickness region (32) is longer overall than the non-reduced-thickness region of the shaft extension (16). With this configuration, a surprisingly efficient high-speed-compatible knitting tool (10) is created.

A knitting tool (10), preferably a latch needle, intended for fast-running knitting machines has a meandering shaft with reduced-thickness regions. The meandering shaft is adjoined by a straight shaft extension (16) which likewise has a reduced-thickness portion (32). The shaft extension (16) is distinguished from the shaft (15) by way of its height H2, which is less than the height H1 of the shaft (15). The reduced-thickness region (32) of the shaft extension (16) has a length which is at least much greater than the length of the stitch-forming structure (28) carried by the shaft extension (16). Preferably, the reduced-thickness region (32) is longer overall than the non-reduced-thickness region of the shaft extension (16). With this configuration, a surprisingly efficient high-speed-compatible knitting tool (10) is created.

A knitting machine that is capable of: knitting a knitted product of high gauge while effectively preventing increase in the number of components in a needle selection mechanism, and performing knitting methods such as inlaid knitting easily and reliably. The knitting machine comprises a plurality of knitting needles each of which have a protrudingly provided butt and which are arranged substantially parallel to each other so as to be able to perform a knitting operation independently, a plurality of selectors that move the knitting needles toward a protruding side of the butt, and a carriage having a cam groove along which the butt of the knitting needle, which has been moved by the selector to the side where the butt is protrudingly provided, can slide, in which the selector moves at least two adjacent knitting needles simultaneously to the side where the butt is protrudingly provided.

A knitting machine that is capable of: knitting a knitted product of high gauge while effectively preventing increase in the number of components in a needle selection mechanism, and performing knitting methods such as inlaid knitting easily and reliably. The knitting machine comprises a plurality of knitting needles each of which have a protrudingly provided butt and which are arranged substantially parallel to each other so as to be able to perform a knitting operation independently, a plurality of selectors that move the knitting needles toward a protruding side of the butt, and a carriage having a cam groove along which the butt of the knitting needle, which has been moved by the selector to the side where the butt is protrudingly provided, can slide, in which the selector moves at least two adjacent knitting needles simultaneously to the side where the butt is protrudingly provided.

A knitting tool (10), preferably a latch needle, intended for fast-running knitting machines has a meandering shaft with reduced-thickness regions. The meandering shaft is adjoined by a straight shaft extension (16) which likewise has a reduced-thickness portion (32). The shaft extension (16) is distinguished from the shaft (15) by way of its height H2, which is less than the height H1 of the shaft (15). The reduced-thickness region (32) of the shaft extension (16) has a length which is at least much greater than the length of the stitch-forming structure (28) carried by the shaft extension (16). Preferably, the reduced-thickness region (32) is longer overall than the non-reduced-thickness region of the shaft extension (16). With this configuration, a surprisingly efficient high-speed-compatible knitting tool (10) is created.

A knitting tool (10), preferably a latch needle, intended for fast-running knitting machines has a meandering shaft with reduced-thickness regions. The meandering shaft is adjoined by a straight shaft extension (16) which likewise has a reduced-thickness portion (32). The shaft extension (16) is distinguished from the shaft (15) by way of its height H2, which is less than the height H1 of the shaft (15). The reduced-thickness region (32) of the shaft extension (16) has a length which is at least much greater than the length of the stitch-forming structure (28) carried by the shaft extension (16). Preferably, the reduced-thickness region (32) is longer overall than the non-reduced-thickness region of the shaft extension (16). With this configuration, a surprisingly efficient high-speed-compatible knitting tool (10) is created.