Latch needle with improved thread space

The latch needle, especially for knitting delicate yarns, has a latch (7) with a step (22) at its inner contour (23) linked to its free end (12). When the latch of the latch needle is in the closed setting (I), the step is next to the hook (3) and especially the hook point. The step is formed by a projection (26), at the inner side of the latch towards the yarn holding zone (9), to cover the hook point for the yarns. The step defines a point (29) at the transit to the inner contour of the latch with a height level so that a theoretical connecting line (27) between it and a point (18) of the hook point where its curvature ends is parallel to the back of the needle, or is at an acute angle to it where the projection (26) extends into the yarn holding zone. The hook has a preferably rounded point, with a gap (32) between it and the step with a wider width than the diameter of the yarns to be knitted. The hook has a groove (11) for the free end (12) of the latch, when in the closed position. The groove has a depth which, at least at the hook point, is less than one-half the hook thickness at that point. The free end of the latch has a laying surface (25), where its theoretical extension is a line (24) extending over or under the step height level. The latch thickness and width taper towards it free end. The inner contour of the latch has rounded side edges.