The DPX17 KN needle (needle system 135X17) has a medium ball point for working knit fabrics, without damaging the loops. The KN version is a slim needle designed to protect fine knit loops from splitting, but without blade reinforcement and therefore more sensitive to deflection. It is used in industrial lockstitch and general-purpose sewing machines for everyday garment and textile manufacturing. Suitable machine classes are found, among others, at Juki (classes AB-1351, AMS-224EN-HS4530R, DNU-1541, DNU-1541-7), Brother (classes BAS -300E, BAS -311A, BAS -311E, BAS -311EL) and Singer (classes 107 - W 51, 111 - G 155 TO G 157, 111 - W OTHER CLASS, 111 - WSV 61).
Thinner needle sizes are used, among others, for fine, light jersey and tricot fabrics, and the thicker versions for medium-weight knit fabrics for everyday garment production. As sewing thread, a matching thickness is usually recommended depending on the needle size chosen, e.g. from Amann Serafil or Rasant; for very stretchy seams, a texturised thread also works well. The ball point glides between the loops instead of piercing them, keeping the seam clean and undamaged.
