<p>The machine has a needle bed (1) in which needles (7) are slidably stored length wise. Stationary stitch patterns (61) and movable retainer plates (4) are arranged between the needles. The retainer plates are movable during opening from closing position such that a tip (41) of the plates reaches behind the stitch patterns before passing through a plane (200) defined by a needle underside. The plates are movable to the closing position from opening position such that the tip reaches before the stitch patterns pass through the plane defined by the needle underside.</p>
