A patterning method and device has yarn guides for guiding pattern yarns in a warp knitting machine and divisional fall plates for knitting pattern yarns in a fall plate structure individually drive-controlled through drive devices. The device comprises any number of moveable bodies having yarn guides, the bodies being installed for movement along a row of knitting needles by the drive devices. For patterning, the moveable bodies are moved through a desired distance along the row of knitting needles so as to be positioned for patterning, thereby providing a patterning zone for pattern yarns corresponding to the number of yarn guides. Thus, it is possible to effect a free varigated patterning which is comparable with the patterning effect provided by the Jacquard control. Further, it possible to attain the knitting of a fall plate structure, in addition to the patterning by the aforesaid yarn guides, by moving any number of the moveable bodies having yarn guides and/or any number of moveable bodies having divisional fall plates by the drive devices to produce a fall plate-like action, without requiring a device of large scale.