A weft-knitting machine with needles arranged in a straight line in a flat plate called the bed. The yarn travels alternately back and forth, and the fabric may be shaped or varied in width, as desired, during the knitting process. Lengthwise edges are selvages. Flat-knitting machines may be divided into two types latch-needle machines for sweaters, scarves, and similar articles and fine spring-needle machines for full-fashioned hosiery.