of an improved hollow needle 40 according to the invention hollow needle 40 is shown with head 42 having a planar surface 43 and an angular opening 41 extending therethrough at the opposite end of needle 40 is the angular cutting surface 44 beginning at distal end 38 and extending rearward to notch 31 the slant of the cutting surface generally creates an ovular opening however this opening is modified by the creation of notch 31 into which yarn is directed for cutting notch 31 has cutting edge 33 which preferably interfaces with knife edge 39 to sever yarn that has been urged down through the angular opening 41 of hollow needle 40 and into notch 31 a modification on this needle is the placement of hollow 32 just above the notch 31 so that a smaller area of the angled cutting surface 44 is present adjacent to the notch 31 and cutting edge 33 in this fashion as the knife edge 39 passes across the angled cutting surface 44 slightly less wear is imparted to the center of the knife edge 39 because the exact operation of the cutting mechanism varies according to operator preference with some operators beginning contact between the knife edge 39 and angular cutting surface 44 not merely near.