Types of Latch Needle
The hook, latch, rivet, cheek, throat and stem are substantially the same except in size in all latch needles, but the balance of the needle may and does vary in shape to a marked degree in the various types and makes of machines. Fig. 15 shows many of the different types of butts and shanks made, as well as the variation in the sizes of the hooks and the thickness of the needles, but it should be understood that the type of the butt and shank has no bearing on the size of the hook and stem, as each type is made in the various sizes and is governed only by the size of the yarn to be used.
Fig. 16 is a very important illustration and the reader should study it well and mentally digest every position of the needles, for here is shown a complete cycle of the movements necessary to make the knitted loop on a latch needle machine of the type in which the needles slide back and forth, lengthwise of the needle, in what are called tricks, or more commonly expressed, slots. Probably 95 per cent. or more of the latch needle machines in use today are of the type in which the needle slides back and forth in slots in the operation of forming the loops.
Fig. 15.
Some of the Various Types of Latch Needles.