Method of and device for transferring stitches on a knitting machine

A method for transferring stitches on a knitting machine with transfer elements, comprising the steps of associating a transfer element with all needles on which stitches are suspended, wherein the needles are arranged on at least one needle bed;

• placing a stitch which is held in a needle and has to be transferred on a needle element;
• introducing the transfer element into the stitch;
• withdrawing the needle from the stitch, so that the stitch is suspended alone on the transfer element and is available for a transfer;
• and transferring the stitch to a further element, wherein the transferring step includes transferring the stitch from a first needle of a first needle bed to a needle of a second needle bed and from said first needle of the first needle bed to a second needle of the first needle bed or wherein said transferring step includes transferring the stitch to another transfer element.