A method and apparatus is disclosed for laying a drawthread into a machine knitted fabric. Before it is laid the drawthread is carried from between one side and another of the yarns which are being knitted to form the fabric by a component which passes between yarn guides of the machine. The component may be permanently located between the yarn guides or may pass between the yarn guides and out again between two stitch forming cycles of the machine. On both sides the drawthread is positioned by the said component clear of the area where stitches are formed so that it is not knitted into the fabric.