Compound needle for knitting machines

A compound needle (13) for knitting machines, comprising:

• a needle (1), which extends substantially in a longitudinal direction (x), the needle including a hook (3) at a front end thereof in the longitudinal direction (x),
• a slider (2) which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction (x),
• wherein the slider (2) is adapted to the needle (1) in such a way that relative movement between the needle (1) and the slider (2) is possible,
• and wherein the slider (2) has a closing lip (5) for closing the hook (3) of the needle (1),
• wherein the needle (1) has a fork (6) comprising at least two fork arms (14, 15) which are mutually offset in a height direction (y) of the needle (1) and extend beside each other in the longitudinal direction (x),
• wherein at least one of the at least two fork arms (14, 15) is configured to guide the slider (2) during relative movement between the needle (1) and the slider (2),
• wherein the slider (2) has at least one functional element (8) which limits relative movement between the needle (1) and the slider (2), and
• wherein the needle (1) comprises a lateral surface extending in the longitudinal direction (x) and the height direction (y), wherein the lateral surface comprises at least one enclosed hole (7) into which the at least one functional element (8) of the slider (2) extends, wherein the at least one enclosed hole (7) comprises an uninterrupted boundary defined by the lateral surface.