A circular knitting machine having knitting needles actuated by pattern bars, electromagnetic selectors for adjusting the knitting needles into various operating positions, mechanical controls cooperating with the electromagnetic selectors, selector elements biased by springs and slidingly displaceable in the pattern bars as well as first and second control cams for pivoting the pattern bars. Only one single, spring-biased selector element is mounted for displacement in each pattern bar. The electromagnetic selectors have individually controllable magnetic poles which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of rotation of the needle cylinder.