A wide range of latch needles is used in the knitting industry and by the machine manufacturers, and frequently not all sizes are available. As a result, large storage areas are taken up and an uneconomical number of needles is kept in stock. Rationalization should be provided by standardizing the shank widths and the hook heights of needles. This International Standard specifies appropriate dimensions for these and relates them to the needle pitches of the knitting machines concerned.