When a loop is transferred from a transfer jack to a knitting needle of a lower needle bed, a needle hook (21a, 21b) of the knitting needle (13a, 13b) is inserted into the loop (88) retained on the transfer jack (57); then the transfer jack is moved forward so that the loop can be pushed to be placed in an advancing and retracting track of the needle hook of the knitting needle; and the slider (19a, 19b) is moved forward so that the needle hook can be closed by the slider to capture and keep the loop in the needle hook, whereby possible occurrence of drop stitch is prevented to ensure that the loop is transferred from the transfer jack to the knitting needle.