Method and apparatus for selecting needles in a circular knitting machine

A method and apparatus providing for the selection of certain selector jacks in circular knitting machines, in response to and according to a given recorded program as on a patterning drum or electromagnetic patterning system. These chosen selectors are caused to be racked into engagement with the cam system to be raised, subsequently actuating the appurtenant needles associated with them to form loops in one yarn feed system. Before complete retraction of these needles, those selectors which are not chosen and which do not lift are then racked into engagement with the cam system and caused to raise actuating their needles in the subsequent yarn feed system.