Needles

An imperforate needle for use with a textile linking machine, comprising an elongated shank having a pointed end and a cut-out with an inlet opening for inserting a thread through the latter and into said cut-out, said cut-out having a dimension in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of elongation of said shank, which is substantially commensurate with the thickness of said shank;

• and a latch element having at least two portions spaced from each other, said latch element being pivotable between a closed portion in which one of said portion bridges said inlet opening of said cut-out so as to close the same, and a second position in which said one portion of said latch element is retracted from said inlet opening and located substantially within the outer circumference of said shank as seen in said transverse direction, whereas the other portion of said latch element in said second position at least partially extends into said cut-out so as to be engaged by the thread during insertion of the latter in said cut-out whereby said latch element is pivoted from said open into said closed position.