To avoid yarn picking up by the sinkers associated with sliders being progressively deactivated while knitting the heel portion of a stocking article, the sliders (1), at the end thereof far from the needle engaging end, are formed with a notch (10). This notch is designed to engage the yarn (11) and raise it as the sliders (1) are lifted by the slider lifting pickers upon removal from knitting of the associated needles (9). The sliders (1) may be lifted to a position such that the notch (10) is brought above the hook (7) of the respective sinkers (6) which, accordingly, cannot engage with the yarn during the withdrawal phase. Thus, the bluff sinkers and related ears on the sliders for lifting the bluff sinkers can be eliminated, and the machine made simpler and less expensive to build, as well as less liable to give trouble from breakage of the ears and bluff sinkers.