A knitting machine in accordance with the invention includes a thread guide (1) that is associated with a runner (18). The runner (18) is disposed to hold open the latches of driven out needles of a first group while the needles of a second group are being driven out. Due to the time-staggered driving-out of the latch-type needles (9, 10) and of a first group and a second group, and due to the alternating arrangement of the needles of the first group and the second group, a rising of the knit fabric while the needles are being driven out is prevented without the assistance of holding-down/knock-over sinkers. Inasmuch as a runner (18) that is separate from the thread guide (1) is used for holding open the latches, the position of said runner (18) can be optimally adjusted independent of the position of the thread guide.