A knitting machine for clothing has a needle module with a plurality of needle units. Each of the needle units has a needle hook and a plurality of protrusions. The machine also has a first actuation module with a carriage that has a track to connect to one of the protrusions. The carriage can move left and right, and this movement moves the needle units in a longitudinal direction. The machine also has a second actuation module with a connector that has a screw thread to mesh with another one of the protrusions. The connector can move up and down, and this movement moves the needle units.