Sinker top circular knitting machine for producing loop fabric

In a circular knitting machine for forming loop fabric the combination comprising a plurality of sinkers each with a nib, an upper knitting edge extending to the nib and a lower knitting edge below the nib, a plurality of latch type needles alternating between adjacent sinkers, means for moving needles between a latch clear and a cast-off position, means for feeding loop yarns above the upper knitting edge of the sinkers and base yarns below the sinker nibs, means for moving the sinkers in one direction to a position such that long loops may be formed over said upper knitting edge of the sinkers while base yarn is knit over the lower knitting edge and for moving the sinkers in the opposite direction thereby freeing the long loops from the sinker nibs, means for holding the fabric above the said lower knitting edge of the sinkers and each sinker nib having an edge extending downwardly from its upper knitting edge such that when a sinker is moved in the said one direction the sinker nib re-enters previously formed loops of the fabric held above the lower knitting edge causing them to ride up the nib whereby such loops are stretched and straightened.