What are the key differences between knit and woven fabrics. How do construction methods affect fabric properties. Which fabric type is best suited for different applications. When should you choose woven over knit fabrics.
The Origins and Evolution of Textile Production
Textiles have been an integral part of human civilization for millennia, with evidence of their use dating back to the Stone Age, approximately 100,000 years ago. The earliest known instances of cotton, silk, and linen usage can be traced to around 5000 B.C. As textile production evolved, two primary manufacturing processes emerged: weaving and knitting. These techniques have shaped the fabric industry as we know it today.
Understanding the differences between woven and knitted fabrics is crucial when selecting the right textile for your project. Each type possesses unique characteristics that make them suitable for specific applications. Let’s delve into the intricacies of these fabric types to help you make informed decisions.
Woven Fabrics: Structure, Types, and Applications
Woven fabrics are created by interlacing two or more yarns in a perpendicular pattern. This process involves two main components:
- Warp: Vertical yarns that run the length of the fabric
- Weft: Horizontal yarns that are interlaced through the warp
A shuttle is used to carry the weft thread through the warp repeatedly, resulting in the characteristic crisscross pattern of woven textiles. One of the advantages of woven fabrics is that they don’t unravel when cut, making them easier to work with in various applications.
Common Types of Woven Fabrics
- Plain Weave: Also known as tabby weave, linen weave, or taffeta weave, this is the simplest and most common type. It alternates weft threads over and under the warp threads, creating a durable fabric ideal for clothing and home textiles.
- Twill Weave: Characterized by its diagonal pattern, twill weave offers increased durability. It’s commonly used in garments and textiles that undergo significant wear and tear, such as shirting, suits, and upholstery.
- Satin Weave: This more complex weave involves longer “floats” of weft yarn exposed on the surface, creating a shiny and reflective effect. Satin weave is often used in high-end garments like jackets, athletic shorts, nightgowns, and blouses.
Knitted Fabrics: Structure, Properties, and Uses
Knitted fabrics differ significantly from woven ones in their construction method. They are created using a single continuous thread or yarn, similar to hand knitting. The fabric is formed by interlocking loops, rather than the multiple warp and weft yarns used in woven fabrics.
Knitted textiles are easily identifiable by their looped pattern, as opposed to the interlacing weave of woven fabrics. They are prized for their stretchiness and temperature control properties, making them a popular choice for clothing. However, knitted fabrics can be more challenging to work with, as they may unravel when cut unless the edges are properly secured.
Comparing Knit and Woven Fabrics: Key Differences
To make an informed decision between knit and woven fabrics, it’s essential to understand their fundamental differences:
Construction Method
How are knit and woven fabrics constructed differently? Woven fabrics are created on weaving looms, typically 54 inches wide or more, using multiple warp and weft yarns. In contrast, knitting involves interloping or interlacing a single yarn or thread to create the fabric.
Stretch and Movement
How do knit and woven fabrics differ in terms of elasticity? Woven fabrics generally have less stretch due to their tight construction and the use of independent yarns. They typically only stretch diagonally, making them ideal for upholstery where maintaining shape is crucial. Knitted fabrics, on the other hand, are highly stretchable in multiple directions, thanks to their looser construction and interlocking loops.
Choosing Between Knit and Woven Fabrics: Factors to Consider
When deciding between knit and woven fabrics for your project, consider the following factors:
- Intended use: Is the fabric for clothing, upholstery, or another application?
- Desired stretch: Do you need a fabric that’s flexible or one that maintains its shape?
- Durability requirements: Will the fabric be subjected to frequent wear and tear?
- Aesthetic preferences: Are you looking for a specific texture or appearance?
- Care and maintenance: How easy should the fabric be to clean and maintain?
Applications: When to Choose Woven over Knit Fabrics
While both knit and woven fabrics have their merits, there are situations where woven fabrics are the preferred choice:
- Upholstery: Woven fabrics’ stability and resistance to stretching make them ideal for furniture coverings.
- Structured garments: Suits, dress shirts, and other tailored clothing benefit from the crisp appearance and shape retention of woven fabrics.
- Home decor: Curtains, tablecloths, and other decorative items often use woven fabrics for their durability and ability to hold pleats and creases.
- Outerwear: Many jackets and coats use woven fabrics for their wind-resistant properties and ability to maintain shape.
- Bags and accessories: The strength and stability of woven fabrics make them suitable for items that need to hold their shape, such as handbags and backpacks.
Innovations in Textile Technology: Blending Knit and Woven Techniques
As textile technology advances, the line between knit and woven fabrics is becoming increasingly blurred. Innovative manufacturing processes are combining the best qualities of both techniques to create hybrid fabrics with unique properties.
Performance Fabrics
What are performance fabrics, and how do they incorporate knit and woven technologies? Performance fabrics are engineered textiles that often combine woven and knit elements to achieve specific functional properties. These may include moisture-wicking capabilities, enhanced durability, or improved stretch and recovery.
3D Knitting and Weaving
How are 3D knitting and weaving revolutionizing textile production? Advanced manufacturing techniques now allow for the creation of three-dimensional knitted and woven structures. These innovations enable the production of seamless garments, complex shapes, and fabrics with varying properties in different areas.
Sustainability Considerations in Fabric Selection
As environmental concerns become increasingly important in the textile industry, considering the sustainability of your fabric choice is crucial.
Eco-Friendly Fibers
What eco-friendly fiber options are available for both knit and woven fabrics? Sustainable fibers such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Tencel lyocell can be used in both knitting and weaving processes. These materials offer reduced environmental impact without compromising on quality or performance.
Production Efficiency
How do knit and woven fabrics compare in terms of production efficiency and waste generation? Knitted fabrics often have an advantage in terms of production speed and material utilization, as they can be created with less waste. However, advancements in weaving technology are also improving the efficiency of woven fabric production.
By considering these factors and understanding the unique properties of knit and woven fabrics, you can make an informed decision that best suits your project’s requirements. Whether you’re crafting a cozy sweater or upholstering a durable sofa, choosing the right fabric type is essential for achieving optimal results.
When to choose a Woven Fabric over a Knit Fabric
The origin of woven textiles
Textiles are defined by the yarns and threads that create them. Historically speaking, textiles have been used for the last 100,000 years, all the way back to the stone age. The earliest instances of cotton, silk, and linen being used, dates to 5000 B.C. Two different manufacturing processes of textiles emerged as the main types… woven and knitted. What’s the difference between woven and knitted fabrics? When choosing textiles, one of the main questions to ask yourself is whether you need a woven or a knitted fabric. The best way to answer this question is to understand the difference between the two types. In this blog I’d like to discuss the difference between woven and knitted textiles and some examples of each to help you understand what’s the best option for your project.
Woven Fabrics
Woven fabrics have been developed throughout the ages by “weavers” and their predecessors. Weaving textiles involves the interlacing of two or more yarns to create fabric. In weaving, the warp and the weft are terms to describe the direction of the yarn compared to the loom. The warp is the yarn that runs up the loom vertically. They act as the beam or center that the weft, or the horizontal yarns, are interlaced through. A shuttle is a tool that neatly carries the weft thread through the warp repeatedly to crate your finished textile. Woven textiles are easiest to spot due to the crisscross pattern. They are also easiest to use because they do not unravel if you cut them.
Woven Fabric Types
Woven fabrics can be created in a variety of ways. A common woven fabric type is plain weave, also called tabby weave, linen weave, or taffeta weave. This is a style of weaving that alternates weft threads, or yarn, over and under the warp threads, or yarn. Plain weaves are most used in clothing and home textiles due to their durability. Another woven fabric type is the twill weave. This woven textile is created by weaving weft threads in a diagonal pattern up the warp. This technique is known to add more durability to the textile and are preferably used in garments/textiles that will undergo wear and tear. These types of fabric are commonly seen in shirting and suits as well as durable upholstery furniture.
The final woven fabric type is the satin weave. This is by far the more complicated weave out of the three types. Satin weave involves longer “floats “of the weft yarn or thread, exposed on the surface to create shiny and reflective effects. This type of weave is most commonly used in higher end garments and textiles like jackets, athletic shorts, nightgowns and blouses.
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Knitted Fabrics
Knitted fabrics are a little different than woven. Knitted fabrics are made by one continuous thread, much like continuous yarn in hand knitting. Knitted textiles are created by a single thread or yarn, assisted by needles, to create interlocking loops, instead of the multiple warp yarns used in woven fabrics. The knitted fabric is a single yarn or thread that loops up and down the knitting machine. The easiest way to tell the difference between woven and knitted fabrics is knits create loops in the braided pattern vs the interlacing weave. Knitted fabrics are preferred in clothing due to their stretchiness and temperature control they provide. Knitted fabrics can also be a little tricky. If you cut a knitted textile, the fabric can unravel because it’s interloping single yarn or thread. Knitted fabric must be glued on the cut edge to prevent it.
Knit vs Woven: What is the Difference?
Knit vs Woven Fabric
Construction
Woven fabrics are created on weaving looms. These looms can be 54 inches wide and above. The main difference between knit vs woven fabrics is how they are constructed. Woven fabrics are created using several warps, or longitudinal yarns, and wefts, or latitudinal yarns. Knitting involves interloping or interlacing a single yarn or thread.
How They Stretch and Move
Woven fabrics are less stretchable due to the fact that it’s tightly woven threads or independent yarns. The looms that weave fabric typically work on tighter tension than knitting machines. Usually woven fabrics only stretch diagonally and is why they are the premier choice for upholstery. This leaves less room for the fabric to slouch and change shape when on a piece of furniture.
Knitted fabrics are stretchable in many directions. This is because of less tension during knitting and it’s constructed from a single yarn or thread. Notice how your clothing can move in many directions vs your coach fabric witch is sturdy. If woven fabric was chosen for apparel, we would have a lot stiffer t shirts and pullovers.
Most Common Application
Woven Fabrics are more durable and less likely to lose their color. This is because they come in less contact with cleaning agents such as bleach and detergent.
Knitted fabrics are preferred in warmth, comfort, and wrinkle resistant applications
like clothing. Knitted fabrics have a softer feel but can be less durable in the long run.
Choose woven fabrics for upholstery.
Choose knitted fabrics for apparel.
Wash Ability
Woven fabrics are less likely to shrink when washing. This is because of the tension and yarns used to construct woven upholstery fabrics.
Knitted fabrics shrink when frequently washed. Some fiber choices will avoid shrinkage due to their inherent fiber characteristics.
Whatever your project may be, like knitting a hat or reupholstering a sofa, I hope this blog can help you further understand the key differences in knit vs woven fabrics and gives you base guidelines for choosing a textile that suits your needs.
Knits vs. Wovens: What It Means For Your Garments
While picking the type of material you’d like to use is an essential part of the process, few people consider whether they need a knit or woven fabric. While the difference is slight, the difference for the finished garment is significant. Fit, patterns, and durability all come into play.
First, we have to talk about what knit and woven are. Woven fabrics are made by weaving multiple threads over and under each other in a criss-cross pattern. Because the edge of this fabric isn’t secured in any way, it can unravel. We’ll talk about the implications of this later. Here is an example of what a woven fabric would look like up close:
Knit, on the other hand, is similar to the way someone would hand knit yarn. It is made of one piece of thread that is made of interlocking loops, so it doesn’t form an edge. Here a diagram of a knit fabric up close:
Now that we know the difference between the two, let’s talk about what that means for your garment!
Stretch
One of the key differences between knit fabrics and woven fabrics is the amount of stretch that each fabric gives. Knit fabric stretches a lot when pulled by its width and some stretch when pulled by its length. Wovens, on the other hand, will give almost no stretch except on the diagonal. This is important when dealing with the kind of garment that you are trying to make.
Knit products are meant to stretch and often have no fasteners like a zipper or button you can use to put it on. So if you are producing a pull-over shirt, chances are you’re going to be using a knit fabric. However, for something that doesn’t need to give a lot of stretch like pants or a button up shirt you should be using a woven fabric.
Edge
Because of the way each is constructed, the edge of the piece of fabric has to be treated in different ways. Have you noticed that sometimes your t-shirts will curl at the bottom or the color will become wavy? That’s because it’s made using knit fabrics. Because of the amount of stretch that knit fabrics give, the edges often curl and become deformed. However, this is just the nature of the material, so there really isn’t a way to avoid this.
Woven fabrics don’t have the problem of curling or deforming; however, they can easily unravel because they are constructed by just weaving different pieces over and under the other. To battle this, the edge needs to be finished by adding a stitch at the end.
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Knits and Wovens: What’s the Difference?
By Jan Bones and Pamela Howard
from Sew Stylish #1, pp. 36-37
You’ve picked up a pattern you love and you’re about to buy fabric to go with it when you notice that the pattern specifies only knit fabrics. If you’re thinking “that sounds like Greek to me,” don’t be discouraged. Your pattern is simply talking about the two basic categories that fabrics fall into: knits and wovens. Understanding and identifying these categories is essential to preventing all sorts of sewing and fitting puzzlement. In the following pages, you’ll get all the information you need on these two basic fabric types to take the mystery out of pattern instructions.
How to i.d. your fabric
When you can’t tell if a fabric is a knit or woven, put it through these tests:
Look for loops or grain
In knit fabric (left), one continuous yarn is looped repeatedly to create what looks like tiny rows of braids. In woven fabric (right), multiple yarns cross each other at right angles to form the grain, like a basket.
Apply the stretch test
When knit fabric is stretched along its width, it will stretch significantly. Along its length, it will stretch slightly. If a knit fabric is stretched excessively, a run may form. Most woven fabrics can’t stretch along the lengthwise grain (the length of the fabric), and there is minimal give along the crosswise grain (the width of the fabric).
Check the wrinkle resistance
When you ball up a knit in your hand, it will crush easily. When you release it, the fabric will spring back into shape with few, if any, wrinkles. When you wad up a woven fabric, it usually wrinkles easily.
Inspect the edges
A knit is either sold as a tube or flat. On flat knits, factories apply round blobs of starch or glue along the lengthwise edges to prevent them from curling. Along the width, or cut edge, the fabric doesn’t fray. The lengthwise edges of a woven fabric, called the selvages, are strong and don’t move. The cut edge across the width of the fabric frays.
Jan Bones (SewingLingerie.com) teaches sewing all across the United States and Canada. Pamela Howard teaches sewing in the metro Atlanta area.
Model photo: Jack Deutsch; hair and makeup, Christie McCabe. Studio photos: Sloan Howard.
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Know Your Knit Fabrics
A weft knit is made with a single yarn
I’ve found that many sewers shy away from knit fabrics, perhaps confused by the wide variety available (take a look at the samples in this article alone) or unsure of what kind of garment to construct from a particular knit. I believe the more you know about a fabric, the easier it is to evaluate how to use it. And knits are definitely worth getting to know-they are much easier to fit than wovens; resist wrinkles; in most cases, are wonderful to handle; and are extremely comfortable to wear. And these days you can find a remarkable range of knits in various fibers, among them, linen, silk, wool, Tencel, polyester, cotton, and cotton blends.
When I’m asked how I know if a pattern will work with a certain knit, I have to say that the answer is ingrained in my fingers. Handling the fabric triggers now-intuitive knowledge derived from years of sewing with knits and absorbing every scrap of information I’ve ever learned about them. I’d like to provide you with an overview of basic facts about knit fabrics to help you develop your own cache of knowledge that will soon find its way into your fingertips.
Anatomy of a knit fabric:
There are two basic types of knit fabrics-weft knits and warp knits-and it’s the direction in which the yarns making up the fabric are looped that determines which type of knit the fabric is.
Weft knit A weft knit is made with a single yarn looped horizontally to form a row, or course, with each row building on the previous one. A hand-knitted fabric is a weft knit.
Warp knit A warp knit is made with numerous parallel yarns that are looped vertically at the same time.
In a knit fabric, a vertical column of stitches is called a wale, and a horizontal row, a course.
Knit fabrics are made in one of two basic ways
Understanding the ways in which knit fabrics are manufactured will help you see why the topic of knits is so complex and why different knit fabrics behave in such dissimilar ways. Unlike a woven fabric, which is composed of a series of warp (lengthwise) yarns interlaced with a series of weft (crosswise) yarns, a knit fabric is made up of one or more yarns formed into a series of loops that create rows and columns of vertically and horizontally interconnected stitches. A vertical column of stitches is called a wale, and a horizontal row of stitches, a course.
Although, in a woven fabric, the terms warp and weft refer to the direction of the two sets of yarns making up the fabric, in a knit fabric, these terms describe the direction in which the fabric is produced: A weft knit-which is what hand-knitted fabric is-is one made with a single yarn that’s looped to create horizontal rows, or courses, with each row built on the previous row. A warp knit is made with multiple parallel yarns that are simultaneously looped vertically to form the fabric (see the drawings above). Both warp and weft knits can be made either on a circular knitting machine, which produces a tube of fabric, or on a flat-bed knitting machine, which delivers flat yardage.
Four basic stitches-All knit fabrics, even exotic novelty knits like laces and jacquards, whatever their structure, are composed of four basic stitches: a knit, or plain, stitch; a purl, or reverse-knit, stitch; a missed stitch, which produces a float of yarn on the fabric’s wrong side; and a tuck stitch, which creates an open space in the fabric (see the drawings below).
Four stitches make up all knit fabrics
Missed-stitch
Tuck stitch
Stretch is the bottom line
All knits stretch to a greater or lesser degree, and this inherent give makes these fabrics comfortable, helps with fit, and is a big reason for choosing a knit over a woven. While the degree of stretch varies from one type of knit to another, the fabrics in a given category do not always stretch consistently. For example, a double-knit, known for its stability, can sometimes have more crosswise stretch than usual and not be stable enough for a given project. Hence, it’s imperative to assess the inherent stretch in a particular knit in order to make a good match between fabric and pattern. Always test-stretch a knit in the store (here’s where your fingers get into the act). Here’s how I do it:
Since the greatest amount of stretch is usually in the crossgrain, I check this first. To assess the amount of stretch in the crossgrain, I grasp a single layer of the fabric between my left thumb and forefinger, then hold the fabric in the same way with my right hand about 4 in. away on the crossgrain. I put my hands and the fabric down on a ruler with my left hand at zero and start gently pulling the fabric along the ruler with my right hand. I stop pulling just at the point that I have to exert any effort (if I have to grip the fabric in my left hand more tightly, I know I’m over-stretching). By doing the test two or three times with the same knit, I get a feel for the fabric’s inherent stretch. Then I can either use a pattern designed for a knit with that amount of stretch or alter my pattern.
Altering patterns for knits
Select your fabric and determine its stretch, as explained above, before trying to alter your pattern, since the alteration will depend on the fabric’s stretch. Below are some general rules for altering patterns for knits:
• If the fabric has no stretch, as with a firm jersey or rugby-type knit, pattern alterations are usually unnecessary.
• The following are good starting points for alteration: If the fabric has only a little stretch (1/2 in.), take a total of 1/4 in. out of the pattern at both center front (CF) and center back (CB). If it has moderate stretch (1 in.), take a total of 1/2 in. out at both CF and CB. if it has generous stretch (2 in.), take a total of 1 in. out at both CF and CB. Any additional fitting adjustments can usually be made at the side seams or darts/princess seams.
• Always make a muslin to fine-tune the necessary fitting adjustments, using an inexpensive knit fabric with similar stretch to that of your fashion fabric.
Warp knits vs. weft knits
Warp knits, which generally have a flat, smooth surface (though they can also be made with a pile), have little or no vertical stretch and varying degrees of crosswise stretch. Produced in a large variety of weights in a wide range of fiber types, warp knits are run-resistant and don’t ravel.
With a few exceptions, weft knits have moderate to great amounts of crosswise stretch and some lengthwise stretch (some jerseys, however, have little or no crosswise or lengthwise stretch). On many weft knits, the edges may curl. As with warp knits, weft knits are made from many different fibers and come in many weights. If a stitch in a weft knit is broken, the fabric will tend to run, but a weft knit ravels only from the yarn end knitted last.
Lots of knits (as well as wovens) are now being produced with the addition of spandex fiber to add stretch to the fabric. Garments made from fabrics with spandex can be comfortably fitted closer to the body. Although spandex imparts increased stretch and give to knits, it’s the ability to “recover” (or bounce back to its original state) that spandex adds that’s prized by manufacturers and sewers alike, since the resulting garments retain their shape.
Now that you know some of the basic facts about knit fabrics, take a look at a few of common types of readily available knits in the samplings photos. Look for some of these knits in your fabric store, and try them out. As you gain a solid background of knit fabric facts through direct experimentation, you’ll relish sewing with these remarkable fabrics.
Continue to: Samplings of Weft Knit and Warp Knit Fabrics
Photos: Sloan Howard; illustrations: Glee Barre
by Sarah Veblen
from Threads #97, pp. 59-63
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How to Identify Knit Fabrics
Weft knit fabric sampling: interlock
A sampling of weft knit fabrics
All weft knits fall into three basic categories: rib knits, which are a combination of knit and purl stitches; purl knits, which are made with purl stitches alone, and jersey knits, which are made with knits stitches on the front and purl stitches on the reverse.
More on Knits:
• Knits & Wovens: What’s the Difference
• A Primer on Sewing Knits
• 15 Ways to Sew with Knits
• Know Your Knits
Double knit
Description: Made with two sets of yarns, this double-constructed fabric has fine ribs running lengthwise on both sides. Usually looks same on fabric’s face and reverse, making it reversible. Fancy double knits may have novelty stitch on fabric’s face and fine ribs on reverse.
Properties: Heavy, firm; usually has almost no stretch in either direction. Good shape retention; cut edges don’t curl.
Best use: Tailored garments, like jackets, suits, or sheath dresses. If particular double knit has some crosswise stretch, adjusting pattern (by cutting it slightly smaller in body girth) may be necessary.
Interlock
Description: Compound fabric made by “inter-knitting,” or interlocking, two simple ribbed fabrics, each made with single yarn. Has fine ribs running lengthwise. Fabric’s face and reverse look same, making it reversible.
Properties: Almost no lengthwise stretch; more crosswise stretch than double knits or jerseys; fairly good shape retention. Raw or cut edges don’t curl; unravels only from end last knitted.
Best use: Wonderful for T-shirts, turtlenecks, casual skirts and dresses, and children’s wear. Because of its crosswise stretch, use pattern designed for interlock knits, or be prepared to adjust pattern.
Jersey knit
Description: Also referred to as plain knit or single knit. Has distinct right and wrong sides, with fine ribs running lengthwise on fabric’s face, and semicircular loops running across reverse. Many variations of stitches and fibers create wide variety of single knits, ranging from delicate openwork to heavy, thick piled fabric.
Properties: Little or no lengthwise stretch, varying amounts of crosswise stretch. Curls to fabric’s right side; cut edges unravel only from end knitted last. Best use: Jersey with little or no crosswise or lengthwise stretch (like most wool jerseys) can be used for skirts, blouses, and dresses without pattern adjustments. Jersey with crosswise stretch requires pattern adjustments or pattern designed for crosswise stretch.
Purl knit
Description: Double-faced, reversible fabric produced by intermeshed rows of knit and purl stitches, which appear as loops in crosswise direction. Sometimes called “Links-Links,” from the German word links (“left”), since knitting machine’s mechanism always moves to left.
Properties: Usually heavy and bulky; stretches in both directions. Cut edges do not curl.
Best use: Sweater-type garments, outerwear.
Rib knit
Description: Double-faced, reversible fabric with distinct vertical ribs on both sides, produced by alternating knit and purl stitches. Ribs can be small (1×1, that is, one knit stitch followed by one purl stitch), thick, (2×2 or 3×3), or uneven (1×3, for example).
Properties: Little or no lengthwise stretch, but lots of crosswise stretch and good, natural recovery. Cut edges do not curl.
Best use: Because of its elasticity, ideal for trimming other knits (and wovens). Garments made from rib knits are usually close-fitting and therefore use a pattern designed for knits.
A sampling of warp knit fabrics
Because of the multiple-needle configuration of warp-knitting machines, the warp knit fabrics produced can be very complex and intricate in structure; and they don’t fall neatly into groups or categories as weft knits do.
Milanese
Description: Made from two sets of yarns knitted diagonally. Face has fine vertical rib, and reverse has diagonal structure.
Properties: Lightweight, drapey, smooth texture, extremely run-resistant.
Best use: Historically used for gloves and lingerie; makes lovely, soft blouses and eveningwear. May be a little difficult to find, but worth looking for.
Raschel
Description: Raschel-knitting machine produces wide variety of fabrics and can incorporate conventional or novelty yarns, thereby creating interesting textures and surface designs. Knits can be fine and lacey, highly patterned, and even piled.
Properties: Runs gamut from dense and compact to open and lofty; can be either stable or stretchy, and single-faced or reversible.
Best use: Almost any garment. Assessing amount of stretch, give, and recovery in a raschel knit is essential, since its nature is so diverse.
Tricot
Description: Face has fine lengthwise ribs; reverse has crosswise ribs. Some machines can produce complex patterns, and some can incorporate a weft insertion (extra yarn inserted crosswise) for added texture or color.
Properties: Some lengthwise stretch; almost no crosswise stretch. Usually soft and drapey; cut edges tend to curl.
Best use: Besides traditional use for lining and lingerie, can be used for blouses and dresses. It’s essential to assess stretch of particular tricot for given project.
More knit samples
Silk jersey interlock knit
Acetate slinky rib knit
Nylon/lycra metallic rib knit
Rayon interlock
Linen/viscose single knit jersey
Nylon raschel
Sarah Veblen (www.sarahveblen.com), of Sparks, Maryland, sews practical and exotic knit garments for her custom clothing clients.
From Threads #97, pp. 59-63
Main Article: Know Your Knits
Photos: Sloan Howard; illustrations: Glee Barre
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Combining Fabric Weaves and Weights
In Threads #164 (December 2012/January 2013) contributing editor Mary Ray creates a stir with garments that combine textures, prints, fibers, and weaves. Learn how to balance weaves and weights in this excerpt from Mary’s article and check out the complete issue for more on combining fabrics. This issue is also available on your tablet. Download the App for your iPad and Windows devices now.
Combining two or more fabrics in the same garment has always been one of my sewing pleasures. I love the way one fabric can enhance another and turn a simple style into a complex creation. Combining fabrics is also a little trick I often use when I just don’t have enough of one fabric to complete a project.
Creating an artistic grouping, however, takes planning to get the best result. I’ll show you how to choose fabrics that work together visually and structurally and how to determine the best placement for multiple fabrics in the same garment. I’ll give you some tips on how to balance different fabric weights and ways to sew disparate fabrics together.
You’ll achieve unique results (no one else will make the garment in quite the same way), plus the ability to add or emphasize details or areas with your fabric choices.
How to Balance Weaves & Weights
Joining fabrics of different weaves and weights is another opportunity for adding detail and interest to a garment. Loosely woven fabrics, lace, and novelty knits can complement tightly woven taffeta, velvet, menswear wools, and even denim. Treat them similarly to fabrics of varying textures. Use a knit and a woven together, a woven and leather, a knit and leather, chiffon and wool tweed, taffeta and denim. All of these combinations can offer wonderful creative results.
Give special consideration to how you stitch and finish the seams-each fabric type may require a different technique. You can compromise and use the best option throughout the garment or finish each seam differently. Other sewing considerations may involve reducing the fullness in a seam so it can be eased without difficulty; stabilizing a seam allowance on a stretchy fabric; overlapping edges instead of sewing right sides together; finishing edges differently on each fabric and making the transitions work.
Topstitching the jersey seam allowances flattened and stabilized the woven silk.
Finish Seams
Use seam finishes appropriate to each fabric. That may mean two different seam finishes on the same seam. Here is an example with a orange georgette and a multicolored loose weave. The fabric is too lightweight for binding, so I used a clean-edge finish. The loose weave is too irregular to turn under, and it frays easily, so I used a Hong Kong finish.
Sew the georgette seam allowance with a clean-edge finish (left). Bind the loose-weave seam allowance with a Hong Kong finish (right).
Balance Weights
Apply interfacing and/or underlining to balance fabric weights. On the left, the striped twill-weave linen-blend fabric overwhelms an uninterfaced cotton crepe. Tricot fusible interfacing adds body to the crepe, as shown in the example on the right.
Control Seam Allowances
Consider topstitching or edgestitching, for added detail, and to hold the seam allowances in place, especially when combining fabrics of varying densities. Stitching the seam allowances in place adds detail and keeps them out of the way.
Match Ease Treatments to Fabrics
Fabrics of varying weaves may require special treatment to achieve smooth curved seams, as in set-in sleeves or princess seams. Here’s a case in point for a princess seam. The side front is cut from a stable vinyl-coated canvas. It won’t fit a front piece without easing, and the treatment depends on the fabrics.
If you select a fabric that is not so tightly woven, the front edge can be stretched slightly before stitching to match the longer edge on the side front piece.
To ease a tightly woven microfiber front to the side front, I trimmed the side front at the curve and between the notches before stitching. This reduces the ease, to fit the pieces together smoothly. As long as the trimmed amount is no more than 1⁄4 inch, it should not influence fit much.
Interface Seams
Fuse a strip of interfacing to the fabric, before stitching, to stabilize the seam. This is especially important when a knit meets a woven. I also use it to stabilize a lightweight fabric sewn to a heavier material.
From”Material Mix” by Mary Ray, issue 164 of Threads magazine.
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How & Why They’re Different
The concept of knit vs. woven fabrics didn’t occur to me until I started knitting. Watching that needle create loops, dipping in and out of each stitch, is fascinating. It’s even more fascinating when you think about it as a fabric that clothes your body.
Knit fabrics
If you’re a knitter, it’s easy to tell when something is handknit. But something knitted on a knitting machine is a bit harder to identify. Those are some tiny stitches! Check out the piece of fabric above. See how it loops kind of like a braid? That’s how you can tell it’s knit fabric.
For sewists, knit fabrics are more difficult to work with because they stretch and the edges curl. Beginner sewists, beware! But the nice thing about knit fabrics is that they are usually softer and a bit more breathable than woven fabrics. Read more about identifying knit fabrics on Threads Magazine’s site.
Woven fabrics
If you sew, you probably know all about woven fabrics. Their fibers create a little criss-cross pattern that you can only see if you have great vision. That crisscross pattern is created when all those tiny fibers are actually woven together.
Did you ever have a weaving loom as a kid? I had the one you wrap nylon loops around to make potholders. Woven fabric works in the same way as those weaving looms, except that the fibers are way thinner.
Woven fabrics are often used in sewing, and they’re treated a bit differently than knit fabrics. They unravel easily, so the edges need to be finished with something as simple as a zigzag stitch or something as professional as a serger. Because woven fabrics don’t stretch as easily and tend to be more crisp than knitted fabrics, they are great for making things like pleats.
How to tell the difference
What if the fibers are so tiny that you can’t tell if they’re crossed or looped? One way to find out if it’s knit or woven is to test how it stretches.
Because knit fabric is made from one continuous thread (much like the one continuous yarn in your handknitting), it stretches all over. Woven fabrics, on the other hand, will only stretch diagonally or as a sewer might say, on the bias.
Grab the fabric in question and pull it gently from side to side, top to bottom, diagonally. Does it stretch easily in all directions? If so, it’s probably a knit fabric. If you can only get a bit of stretch diagonally, it’s probably a woven fabric.
Because of the differences in knit vs. woven fabrics, knitters and sewists need to know a few tricks to work with each fabric.
Knitters can check out Feminine Fit with Joan McGowan-Michael to learn how to get the perfect, body-hugging fit in knitted garments.
If you want to jump to the sewing side of the knit vs. woven fabrics, try Sewing Fashion Knits with Linda Lee to learn how to control those knits or Beginner Serging with Amy Alan to finish your knits professionally.
Knitwear is what kind of fabric, 13 types, description and composition, reviews and photos
Description and composition of material
Photo of jersey jersey 1
Knitted fabric is a knitted fabric that is knitted from threads on a special machine.
Threads can be made of natural materials, artificial, synthetic.
The peculiarity of knitwear is that it can be stretched as you like thanks to loops that can change size and shape.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Knitwear is knitted from threads, the loops of which take any shape.For this reason things made of this material do not crumple ;
- Has a structure that looks like a fine mesh, therefore is breathable . In the heat it cools, in the cold it warms;
- A jersey item can be of any shape, and it will not lose it after prolonged wear;
- Knitwear stretches well , thanks to this things made of it fit the body well and can be put under other clothes;
- Knitted garments, easy to care for .They only need to be washed, ironing is not necessary;
Disadvantages
- Knitted things fit well to the body , so they will not look beautiful on overweight people;
- If the yarn for knitwear is made of poor quality material, it can cause allergies.
Kinds of jersey
French
Dress made of French jersey
The threads of this jersey are doubled. The canvas can be wrinkled, stretched, squeezed.It won’t do any harm to her.
Some additives are also added to it to give things additional properties.
For example, dresses made from French knitwear are more dense, but despite this, they are still soft and pleasant to the body.
Otto
Knitwear lasts a long time and has increased elasticity . The material has a complex composition: 4% cotton and 30% polyester and viscose.
It is quickly ironed and practically does not wrinkle;
Oil
The material stretches well and holds its shape.Composition: polyester, viscose, lycra . Things made from this jersey allow the skin to breathe, and they also fit the body;
Jersey jersey dresses
Jersey
Light jersey jersey. The material practically does not wrinkle. It stretches well in width and gathers in soft folds;
Lacoste
Has increased mesh friability. The threads are intertwined in a special way, which increases ventilation and moisture yield;
Dior
Composition: viscose, polyamide, elastane .Practical, has a good appearance;
Italian
High quality canvas. The most popular type of knitwear;
Stretch
This kind of jersey is made of elastic synthetic fiber – spandex. Stretches well and does not lose its shape.
Most often used in combination with nylon or cotton ;
Children
Knitwear from which children’s clothing is sewn;
Warmed
Has the effect of a stitch in the form of a diamond or square.Thick, voluminous and soft to the touch. Good air permeability;
Quilted
Two pieces of fabric are sewn through with a layer of wadding or cotton wool between them. Used for sewing jackets, sweatshirts;
Woolen fabric
Knitwear with added wool;
Sports
Used for sewing sportswear. Good air permeability.
Recommendations for selection
When choosing knitwear, pay attention to its elasticity, structure and shape.
- Place the item on a flat surface and inspect it carefully. There should be no irregularities on it.
- Inspect the quality of the seams and other details.
- Pay attention to Belarusian knitwear. It has good thermal insulation and high quality.
- Buy knitwear only in trusted stores, the quality of which you are sure of.
Poor quality knitwear can cause an allergic skin reaction.
Care instructions
Jersey knitwear
Like any item, a jersey item requires care.If you follow it correctly, it will last you much longer.
First of all, remove the fluff from the garment. This can be done using a special machine or cut them off with scissors.
- It is best to wash by hand, the water should be no more than 40 degrees.
- Knitwear should be soaked for no more than 20 minutes.
- After that, you don’t need to squeeze the thing: it can stretch.
- If you are washing a knitted item in a washing machine, use a special powder.It is also necessary to set the “careful mode”.
- It is impossible to squeeze and dry with a machine.
- After washing, you do not need to hang the item to dry. To dry it, take a towel, put the thing on one half, cover it with the other. Change the towel when it gets wet.
- If the knitwear is stretched after washing, use a hot iron and a damp cloth. Also, the thing will return to its previous shape if you wear it several times.
- You need to store jersey items neatly folded on the shelf.If the thing hangs on a hanger, it will soon stretch out.
Reviews
Reviews about knitwear are completely different.
Victoria
… writes that she is very pleased with the knitwear, as it takes any shape and fits. She believes that it is very convenient, especially for people who go in for sports and dancing, because the costumes are made of knitwear.
Elena
… talks about her love for knitted nighties and pajamas.Also notes that it is an irreplaceable fabric for children’s clothes. It washes easily and keeps its shape well.
Margarita
… loves knitwear in a variety of ways. She prefers knitted T-shirts in summer.
Knitwear is a fabric that works for everything. The main thing is to be able to choose the right knitwear item that will serve you for many years.
what kind of fabric, description and composition, types of material
In this article, we suggest that you get acquainted with a high-quality photo and a detailed description of knitwear, learn about the composition of knitted fabric and its varieties, and also understand what knitwear is.
Description of knitted fabrics
Knitwear is a fabric that is made on special equipment by weaving threads from the same or different materials. Also, jersey often means a product made from this fabric.
The composition of knitwear can include natural (wool, cotton, linen, silk) and synthetic (viscose, lycra, polyester and others) materials, which are produced using various processing methods and types of weaving.Different types of knitwear differ in structure and scope. If knitwear means textiles, then it can be children’s clothing or clothing for adults.
Types of knitwear
Depending on the composition, a large number of varieties of knitted fabrics are distinguished, for the production of each of which separate knitting machines are used. The most common ones are:
satin stitch (wader), which is a thin lightweight fabric that is used for sewing underwear and children’s clothing;
ribana, consisting of natural cotton and synthetic lycra, from which children’s clothes, home clothes, nighties and pajamas, cuffs and collars for turtlenecks are sewn;
interlock singing, which is made from cotton and lycra, polyester or viscose for sewing tracksuits, skirts, dresses, trousers, turtlenecks, T-shirts, home clothes;
footer, which is made of cotton and looks like a couch surface on the front side, and has a fleece on the side adjacent to the body, reminiscent of a bike or fleece in texture;
viscose, which is produced from cellulose using a chemical method and can be used for sewing dresses, blouses, T-shirts, washcloths, boots and even car tires.
A description of a fabric such as knitwear would be incomplete without mentioning French knitwear. It differs from ordinary knitwear in a special weaving of threads, thanks to which it becomes resistant to creasing and stretching. This makes the fabric thicker, but it remains soft and pleasant to the touch.
According to its composition, knitted fabric is completely natural (such a fabric is very soft), synthetic (very strong) and mixed (soft and durable).Cotton jersey wrinkles and wears out quickly, fully synthetic fabrics are highly electrified, but mixed fabrics take their positive qualities from both types.
In the production of knitted fabrics, its type is selected depending on the functions that they must perform. In some cases, it is necessary for the fabric to have a rigid structure and take a certain shape, while in others, high elasticity is required from knitwear. In the production of knitwear, cotton is usually combined with viscose, wool, polyamide.The addition of synthetic material to cotton makes it possible to obtain a fabric with a smooth surface, and which is used to sew nighties, shirts and blouses. To create embossed fabric, special textured threads are used. To give the material a presentable look, the following types of processing are used: monochromatic dyeing of the finished fabric, lightening the fabric to white or cream color, obtaining a multi-colored fabric by interweaving pre-dyed threads.
Specifications
Various types of knitted fabrics are made from various natural, synthetic and blended fibers.The most popular is cotton knitted fabric, which does not provoke allergic reactions, is very pleasant to the touch and easy to clean. But the combined knitwear, which includes synthetic fibers, is characterized by increased resistance to deformation and wear, so it is better to purchase clothes for long-term wear from this material.
Different types of knitwear differ from each other in terms of extensibility, strength, surface density, opening, curl of edges, orientation of loops in buttonholes.
According to the number of loop layers, single-layer and multi-layer knitwear is distinguished. One-layer knitwear is produced on machines equipped with one needle bar and one cylinder. For the production of multi-layer knitwear, a machine with two or more needle beds and cylinders is required.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages and disadvantages of knitted fabric depend on its type. The advantages of all types of knitwear include ease of care, health safety, extensibility, softness, affordable cost.The disadvantage of knitwear can be called the too simple appearance of things from this material and the use of low-quality raw materials in its manufacture, which affects the quality of the fabric itself. Overweight people do not like to wear knitwear due to the fact that this material is too tight on the body.
When choosing knitwear for children, it is recommended to pay attention to the composition of the fabric. It is desirable that it be made from 100% natural raw materials. This will ensure that the knitted clothes will not cause allergies in the child.
In order for knitted clothes to serve for a long time, while maintaining an aesthetic appearance, you should follow some recommendations when caring for jersey, washing and ironing it.
Leaving
Proper care of the knitted garment guarantees the preservation of the original shape and aesthetic appearance of the garment. In the case of several incorrect washes and ironings, the thing is deformed, pellets will appear on it, shrinkage or stretching will occur. How to care for knitwear depends a lot on the composition of the fabric.
Recommendations for the care of knitwear can always be found on the label that the manufacturer attaches to the item. Garments made from this material are best washed by hand, with the exception of linen and towels. When choosing in favor of washing in a washing machine, you need to select a manual or delicate wash mode without using the spin and dry function.
Before washing, sort the jerseys by color and turn them inside out. To prevent deformation of jersey in the washing machine, they can be placed in a special bag during washing.To prevent pilling from appearing on them when washing, you need to use a softening conditioner.
Wet knitwear should not be hung on a clothesline. Carefully wrung out items should be laid out on a dry towel, which should be changed from time to time to dry until the item is dry.
Washing
If you do not know if the knitwear shrinks during washing, it means that you have never had knitted items. Let’s figure out how to properly wash knitwear so that products from it do not lose their shape and are worn for a long time.
Before washing the knitwear, it must be prepared, turned inside out. If the item is too dirty, soak it in soapy water for half an hour.
The best detergent for washing knitwear is laundry soap, which is taken in an amount of 2 grams per 1 liter of water. The most gentle way to wash knitwear is hand wash.
The optimum temperature for washing these items is 40 ° C. But before washing it is worth examining the label on the jersey, in which the manufacturer can indicate a temperature of 30 ° C for items consisting mainly of wool, or 50 ° C for items that are more than 70% cotton.If you exceed the temperature specified by the manufacturer, the jersey will shrink.
During the washing of knitwear, the garment is gently squeezed and unclenched in water. After washing, the clothes are thoroughly rinsed, changing the water several times. When pushing up, knitwear is gently squeezed without twisting.
Ironing
Before ironing knitwear, study the composition of the fabric. If it contains synthetic components, then the thing does not need to be ironed, provided that it is properly dried.If there is a need for ironing, then you need to carry out the following preparation:
Turn the thing inside out;
set the temperature on the iron as recommended by the clothing manufacturer;
Prepare the fabric through which you will iron the product.
How to iron the knitwear from which your garment is sewn, the signs on the tag will tell you: a crossed out iron means that the material cannot be ironed, an iron with one dot means a temperature of 110 ° C, an iron with two dots – a temperature of 150 ° C, an iron with three points – 200 ° C.
Typically an iron heated to 110 ° C is used to iron knitwear. In this case, you need to move the iron in the direction of knitting the fabric. Do not press on the iron. For the best ironing effect, you can use the steaming function.
If you follow these simple ironing recommendations, the knitwear will retain its pleasant texture and vibrant color for a long time. If these requirements are not followed, then the thing will soon lose its aesthetic appearance and original shape.
Knitwear – what kind of fabric, what kind of material
Knitwear – what kind of fabric: we will tell in the article what kind of material it is, provide a photo, analyze the composition of knitted fabrics and its types (French, dense).Therefore, if you want to learn more about this material, you should read the text.
Description
Knitwear is a finished product or knitted fabric, the production of which can be carried out from threads of the same type or different types, the weaving of which is performed on special equipment. It is very problematic to distinguish knitted fabrics from each other from the photo, because the material may differ in composition, area of use, structure, and finish.
Knitwear is made from natural woolen, cotton, linen threads, as well as from synthetic or artificial materials (lycra, viscose, polyester, etc.)P.).
Types of knitwear: main varieties
There are many types of knitwear. At the same time, the following types of knitted fabrics are most widespread:
- Kulirka (kulirny smooth surface). Thin, lightweight, easy-to-manufacture fabric, from which mainly children’s clothing and underwear are made.
- Ribana. Almost 100% cotton textiles, but also containing synthetic lycra.
- Interlock.Smooth and dense fabric on the inside and outside. It is used for sewing sportswear, dressing gowns, nightwear.
- Footer. The most dense look, also having a noticeable bouffant. Suitable for the production of overalls, household clothing, various things for children and many other products.
- Viscose. Synthetic material produced from wood fibers. Viscose knitwear has a fairly wide scope (from clothing to the manufacture of boots).
It is also worth distinguishing between the French type of knitted fabric. Many people do not know what kind of fabric is French knitwear, a photo of which can be viewed on our website. At the same time, the main difference between the French type of textile is that in the process of its production a special technology of weaving of threads is used, which makes it possible to endow this knitwear with additional properties of resistance to deformation, creasing and stretching.
The composition of the fabric French knitwear includes exclusively natural components, so it is environmentally friendly, pleasant to the touch, does not cause allergies.
On the left in the photo, the French type of knitted fabric:
Characteristics
Production of knitted textiles can be carried out from cotton, woolen, synthetic and combined fibers. The most popular is cotton knitted fabric, which has all the advantages of a natural base: safety in use, hypoallergenicity, ease of maintenance. At the same time, experts recommend choosing combined options, because the use of additional synthetic fibers allows you to give the product better performance and performance characteristics.
Additional weaves:
Knitted cotton and other types of textiles made from knitted fabrics are usually characterized by strength, extensibility, loosening, loop orientation, surface density, edge curl.
According to the class of weaves, it is customary to distinguish between main, derivative, patterned and combined options, and according to the number of loop layers – single-layer and multi-layer products.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages and disadvantages of fabric knitwear will directly depend on the variety, so it is difficult to talk about some general advantages or disadvantages of different types of material.At the same time, it is customary to refer to the advantages: extensibility, ease of maintenance, safety in use, pleasantness to the touch, anti-static, affordable prices. To find out more about the advantages of a particular type of material, you need to clarify the name of knitted fabrics.
But it is customary to highlight certain disadvantages, the main ones of which are: simple appearance of things, body fit (which causes problems for overweight people), a high probability of using low-quality raw materials in the production (this is the cause of allergies).It is very important to ensure that the purchased knitted fabrics for children’s clothing meet all standards.
Read about the honeycomb material, its description and characteristics are known to few.
To prevent knitted clothes from becoming unusable in a short time, it is recommended to learn about the peculiarities of material care in our special section “Care for delicate fabrics”.
Types of knitted fabric, watch the video:
what is it, description of the fabric, properties
Knitwear is a knitted fabric or a finished product that is made from one type of thread or different varieties, intertwined on a special knitting machine.It differs from other materials in extensibility in all directions, due to the ability of the loops to change their size and shape.
Knitwear can be different in structure, function, composition (from which fibers it is made) and decoration. In its manufacture, natural threads (cotton, wool, linen, etc.), synthetic (polyester, lycra, etc.) and artificial (for example, viscose) are used. Mixed species are most common.
Basic types of knitted fabrics based on natural fibers:
– Kulirny stitch (kulirka) – the lightest fabric for summer time.Robes, T-shirts, skirts, shorts, sundresses, blouses are made from it;
– ribana is a fabric, 100% cotton with a slight addition of synthetic thread – lycra, pleasant to the touch, excellent stretching, good moisture absorption. It is used for sewing clothes for children and adults;
– kashkorsa is used to decorate necks and cuffs;
– interlock – dense and smooth on both sides, used for sewing tracksuits, nightgowns, dressing gowns, etc.;
– footer is a dense brushed fabric that is used in the manufacture of romper, overalls, sports and indoor clothing and other products.
Knitwear for linen and outerwear (dresses, sweaters, blouses, etc.) is sewn from knitted fabric, and hosiery, gloves and which goes to scarves and handkerchiefs are made by machine. The underwear has high elasticity and breathability, it is soft and pleasant to the body. Cloths for outerwear are thicker, but linens have good shape stability and heat-shielding properties.
An important advantage of knitwear is its ability to conform to the shape of the body, perfectly fitting it.This creates not only comfort, but also an attractive appearance. It is convenient to wear such clothes at any time of the year.
Knitwear is what kind of material, types and composition of fabric
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Warm sweater and scarf, light summer dress, underwear, sportswear and many other necessary things are made of knitwear. The material belongs to ancient species, and the first samples appeared in the II century.BC e. Excavations have shown that knitted fabrics originated in Egypt.
In European territory, the fashion for elastic and soft fabrics came in the 15th century, when knitting machines were designed. The start of mass production introduced knitwear into everyday life not only for peasants and artisans, but also for aristocrats. Already in the twentieth century, Italian fashion designers raised clothing to the pinnacle of popularity, where it confidently maintains its position.
Description
Knitwear is a knitted, stretchable fabric with attractive performance characteristics.The material follows the curves of the body, fits and does not limit mobility due to the ability to stretch. It has a nice texture. Hygiene, practicality and durability have made the fabric popular. Moreover, jerseys do not need special care.
The use of various weaving techniques allows you to obtain fabric for summer and winter clothes, special tasks. Knitted wear of comfort in any weather, suitable for everyday wear and festive occasions.
According to the quality, knitwear is divided into three types, depending on the length of the fibers.The fabric can be single or double, smooth and textured. However, there are many classifications according to different criteria.
- Best for singing, fiber length 35-70mm.
- Good card or ring 27-35mm.
- The average for the opener is 20-27mm.
The length of the fiber determines how long the knitted fabric will not lose its shape, whether it will pay. The longer it is, the longer it will last.
What’s in
In terms of composition, knitwear can contain fibers of the same type or a mixture of different threads.The source of raw materials is linen, viscose, silk, cotton and wool, as well as synthetic fibers. To obtain yarn, various twisting technologies are used, which affects the properties of the finished fabric. A common option is mixed canvases made from natural and synthetic raw materials.
Description of fibers for making knitwear:
- Viscose is an artificial wood pulp thread.
- Cotton – natural, vegetable origin. Softness and hygroscopicity.
- Lycra – cellulose fiber after treatment with vinegar anhydrite.
- Silk is a thread obtained from the protein cocoons of the silkworm. Possesses lightness, strength and glossy shine.
- Elastane is an elastic fiber of synthetic origin.
- Twisted yarns from wool of goats, sheep and camels.
Natural knitted fabric is made of cotton or wool. For linen, it mainly contains cotton or rayon threads. Insulated clothing is made of wool yarn that is loose in structure.
Hosiery products are made from cotton, polyamide, nylon, viscose and wool. To obtain products with a smooth surface, synthetic threads are added. Polyester fabrics wear and wash well, but are less comfortable and prone to pilling.
Combined knitwear
Allows you to combine qualities from different threads to obtain the desired characteristics. For example, pure cotton wrinkles and wears out quickly, and a synthetic additive minimizes such properties.
Varieties of the combined blade:
- Vigone – made from cotton and natural wool.
- Heterogeneous – consists of natural and synthetic threads, the percentage of which depends on the factory.
- Blended – based on the predominance of one fiber with additives.
Manufacturing methods
Knitted fabric is obtained in several variants:
- Cutting, when a cloth of a certain width is obtained, from which elements of details of future products are cut out according to patterns.Suitable for sewing clothes, including outerwear, linen, gloves. The method provides for the presence of waste, which occupy a fourth of outerwear. Used in the manufacture of items of mass consumption.
- Regular – considered labor-intensive and expensive, used in small-scale production. The product is knitted immediately, without connecting separate parts as in the previous version. The finished product is seamless. Small stitches are visible on the knitted details.
- Semi-regular, which has found application in the creation of outerwear.For its implementation, circular knitting machines are used. The edge is formed by a series of loops and does not require further processing. The method is economical in terms of time and material consumption. There is no cutting and no downtime when sewing.
Braiding patterns
Knitwear is obtained by weaving threads on special knitting machines. The basis is made up of horizontal loops, collected in numerous vertical rows. There are several types of them and, depending on this, a curling surface or lining weaving is obtained.
- The circular knitting machine is making the crochet. The rotating cylinder has up to 13 thousand needles.
- Single circular knitting equipment delivers lined fabric. The machine is capable of producing up to 1800 rows per minute and working with 8 knitting patterns. Holds about 1000 needles.
The baking sheet is subdivided into:
- Smooth surface, where the face and the wrong side are different. The seamy side is wavy and rough, and the front side with braids is smooth.The fabric stretches in width and only slightly in length.
- Eraser is a knitted rubber band. Lycra and elastane are added to it, so it does not wrinkle and keeps its shape.
- Two-sided looks the same from both sides. It does not stretch, and its cut does not bloom.
Footer weaving produces tights, cloth, chain and satin. During manufacturing, a shift occurs in one or both sides to form a pattern.
Jersey finishes
Finishing operations are necessary to give the canvas an attractive appearance, such as:
- Bleached allows you to lighten the material to a uniform state and obtain a white or soft cream tone.It is an independent type of processing or preparatory for the subsequent.
- Plain dyed is used for single color dyeing.
- With drawing, print or coupon on the canvas.
- Multicolor knitted fabric is created by weaving already dyed yarns.
- Severe or unfinished, comes out at the initial stage of production without additional finishing.
Finished knitwear is smooth or fluffy.The hairiness of the surface is given by special knobs and needle-like ribbons located on the shafts of special machines. The relief and volume in the finished canvas is obtained from textured threads.
What kind of jersey is
Distinguish the following, in appearance:
- Terry, whose front side looks like a bath towel, and on the wrong side there are vertical columns of braids. It happens with double-sided pile. Consists only of cotton threads or mixed fibers with the addition of synthetics.
- Velor with a velvety outer surface. Thick and soft pile gives decorative effect. The drawing from the inside is also in the form of braids. It can be draped and worn for a long time. it is durable and dimensionally stable.
- Stretch corduroy that looks like a knitted velor, only with a ribbed and a shinier pile.
- Fleece fabric with terry similar to sheared sheep’s wool. It is obtained from polyester fibers, and is used for coats, jackets, sweatshirts, thermal underwear. It is suitable as a lining fabric for outerwear.It retains its shape for a short time and stretches quickly.
- Velsoft is dense due to thick pile. Made from polyamide yarns. Keeps the original shape and attractive appearance. Does not pill. Velsoft fabric can be considered a competitor to terry fabrics in the production of blankets, towels, bedspreads and home clothes.
- Quilted, on the surface of which an ornament or pattern is embossed. The technique allows you to give the front side volume and an attractive look. Used for sewing skirts, jackets, dresses.
- Mesh with a distinct cellular structure. It is used for decorative elements, beach tunics and capes.
- Jacquard with intricate weaving, forming a pattern. Has various composition options and wide application.
- Brushed jersey has pile only on the seamy side or on both, which gives density and dimensional stability. It has heat protection and elasticity. It is used in the manufacture of warm clothes, sportswear and underwear.
- Knitted jersey has a distinct structure and pattern.It is found in warm clothes made of wool or acrylic for children and adults: sweaters, pullovers, leggings and suits. Viscose or cotton cloth is used for summer blouses, dresses and tops.
- Sweater with a variety of textures: smooth and with pile, dense and light, patterned and uniform.
- Elastic band or noodles, when convex stripes evenly fill the web on both sides. Suitable for turtlenecks, pullovers, form-fitting dresses and individual items such as cuffs and collar jackets.
Variety of knitted fabrics
Footer
It is a canvas with a fleece made of natural cotton. Used for baby clothes, even the smallest ones. Warm and comfortable footer fabric is suitable for tracksuits, underwear, pajamas and dressing gowns. Disadvantage – shrinks after the first wash.
Kulirka
Kulir or kulirny stitch – light and thin knitted fabric. Nevertheless, it wears well and is durable.Has a front pattern in the form of braids. Does the waiter’s jersey stretch or not? Yes, but only in width. It consists of cotton with lycra fibers. All types of summer clothes for children and adults are sewn from this fabric: suits, blouses, dresses, pajamas and underwear. The canvas allows air to pass through and absorbs moisture, which is especially important on hot days.
Jersey
Is a single weave type. Stretches well and hardly wrinkles. Jersey knitwear in the composition can be either blended, containing viscose, cotton or wool, or synthetic.
Pique
Made from silk, cotton or viscose yarns. The knitting of the knitted fabric resembles a honeycomb. Cotton pique fabric is used for sewing polo T-shirts, and silk for women’s dresses.
Selanic
Dense jersey from a blend of synthetics and cotton. He has an eraser on the front, and fleece on the inside. It is used for newborns as a sewing of children’s clothing.
Lacoste
In her, the weaving of threads forms a net structure.The fabric is ventilated and suitable for summer wear.
Interlock
Reversible fabric with pigtails on both sides. It turns out by weaving in 1×1 elastic band. Dense interlock jersey with low stretch. Designed for sportswear, T-shirts and sleepwear.
Dior
Fabric with a monochromatic cross-stitch or herringbone pattern.
Supplex
Kind of jersey contains nylon threads and lycra addition. It’s durable, colorful and stretches beautifully in any direction.Supplex material is intended for dance and gymnastic costumes, leotards and circus clothing.
Kashkorse
Knitwear with coarse elastic. The kashkorse fabric contains cotton, synthetics, lycra and spandex for elasticity. Suitable for overcasting necks and sleeves, as well as for sewing garments.
Hypel
Original weaving forms a pattern on the canvas. Quite lightweight and elastic material consists of cotton and lycra fibers.
Capitonium
Thick, warm and bulky jersey with noticeable square or diamond stitching. It is also called quilted. Capitonium fabric is used for sewing cardigans, sweaters, tight winter skirts and suits.
Otto
Embossed fabric with a velveteen rib. Available in solid colors or with a print. Otto jersey is elastic, wrinkle and wear resistant. Made up of cotton, polyester and viscose.
Eraser
Elastic and resilient jersey with a rubber band 1×1, 1×2 or 2×2. Contains Lycra fiber additive. It is used to sew cuffs and necks for outerwear, as well as garments for adults and children.
French
It turns out to be a knitted double thread, which makes the knitwear dense. Keeps its shape and does not wrinkle in the sock. French knitwear is designed for sewing dresses, skirts, sweaters, trousers.
Oil or “cold” viscose cloth
Such jersey is very soft, delicate and elastic.It flows gracefully into the product, takes any shape and forms beautiful assemblies. The thin oil material is composed of viscose, lycra and polyester fibers.
Angora
Soft and fleecy fabric made of wool, elastane and acrylic. In recent years, the composition is based on synthetics, but the fabric has remained the same attractive.
Ribana
Cloth with fine stripe production is obtained from cotton. Sometimes lycra or polyester is added to the composition.Ribbon fabric is used for knitted outerwear. It is elastic, does not lose its shape and is worn for a long time.
Attractive qualities
Knitwear is popular and has a wide range of applications, which is explained by its positive characteristics:
- Soft and elastic;
- comfortable and comfortable to wear;
- stretches well and does not hinder movement;
- variety of colors and textures;
- pleasant tactile sensations;
- fits the body;
- weave strength;
- wear-resistant and durable;
- low production costs;
- practicality and easy maintenance;
- breathability and hygroscopicity;
- does not accumulate static and does not cause skin irritation;
- affordable and versatile;
- suits any silhouette and season.
Material deficiencies
Nevertheless, knitwear also has negative properties.
- Cheap fabrics made from low-quality raw materials stretch quickly.
- The products look too simple.
- Tight jersey garments accentuate the flaws of the figure.
- Difficulties in cutting and sewing.
- The need to use a special sewing needle to avoid tears in knitwear and loss of elasticity.
Where applicable
The material is considered universal.It is suitable for sewing men’s, women’s and children’s clothing for various purposes.
- Turtlenecks, sweaters, sweaters and cardigans;
- leggings, leggings and trousers;
- dresses, tops and skirts;
- blouses, pants, overalls and dresses for children;
- sportswear: T-shirts, T-shirts, shorts, trousers;
- underwear;
- things for home and rest: pajamas, suits, nightgowns, dressing gowns;
- the whole range of hosiery products;
- bedding sets;
- hoodies, jackets and outerwear;
- scarves and hats, mittens and gloves.
Care rules
Compliance with the basic rules will allow you to maintain an attractive appearance and extend the life of knitwear.
- Hand wash and machine wash in the “hand wash” mode.
- Maintain temperature within + 40 °.
- The material must not be twisted too much.
- When washing by hand, squeeze but do not rub the fabric.
- Immerse clothing in soapy water, otherwise small fragments of powder will leave traces.
- Rinse thoroughly several times.
- Rinse with softener.
- It is forbidden to dry knitted items in a centrifuge.
- Dry items flat on a horizontal surface.
- Do not hang wet clothes on a hanger – so it will stretch out, and it is also not recommended on a rope. From this, it twists and breaks.
- Use steam to straighten creases and bruises.
- Iron things when absolutely necessary.This is due to the fact that under the iron the fabric stretches, and textured knits lose their volume.
- Immediately remove the formed pellets with a special machine or a razor.
- Store folded jersey items.
fabric manufacturer, knitted fabric, knitted fabric
We will create a knitted fabric according to your technological requirements!
The Moscow knitwear factory “UNICOR” has been operating since October 12, 1992., offering its customers a variety of fabrics that are necessary in everyday life and available to any buyer. We produce knitted fabrics for linen, sports and technical purposes: interlock, satin stitch, footer, camouflage, striped vest, ribana, thermal fabric, cuffs, ties and collars. We produce one-colored plain and striped knitted fabric according to GOST 28554-90, TU 17-09-41-90 and TU 17 RSFSR 21.1-212-5-90 and Amendment No. 2, effective from 25.10.95
Knitted fabric buy in our company is simple, reliable and profitable.Our offer will interest those who are looking for inexpensive and high quality fabrics. We conduct sales of our products and we have a system of discounts for regular customers. You will like our pricing policy, which is characterized by an individual approach to each customer.
Knitted fabrics are popular among fashion designers and designers because they are flexible and durable, beautiful and rich in colors. With a good imagination, you can sew fashionable and practical clothes, or you can make decorative elements.
Knitted fabric is obtained by weaving threads – from cotton, woolen, synthetic and mixed types of yarn, by knitting. It differs from fabric in softness and a much greater degree of stretching. The open and loose structure of the web has good hygroscopicity, does not interfere with heat exchange, which leads to better hygienic qualities. Knitwear knitted from yarn of natural fibers retains warmth, gives a feeling of comfort and home coziness. Modern technologies contribute to the production of materials that fully meet consumer demand.
You can get acquainted with the full assortment, find out the availability and cost of manufactured products, as well as get comprehensive information about our activities and conditions of cooperation from our managers by phone, e-mail or in the Moscow office of the company.
Order samples of our wide range of canvases.
90,000 names and varieties of knitted fabrics
Sometimes people get confused about which canvases can be attributed to knitwear and which are not.The large number of materials with different structures, names and compositions is even more confusing. However, it is the most popular material for sewing underwear, home and casual wear. Read the article and you will learn how to distinguish knitwear from other materials and fabrics, as well as its types and properties.
What is knitwear?
Knitwear in French means “knitted fabric”. This is indeed the case, because the basis of knitwear is a knitted structure.Fabrics are created by interweaving lobar and transverse threads. But knitwear has a special weave, thanks to which it stretches well. To determine if the jersey is in front of you, pull it, see if there is a loop structure. This weave allows the product to take any shape and bend. It is due to the peculiarities of the creation (knitting) of this material that we cannot call it a knitted fabric.
Knitwear has different properties and qualities, depending on the addition of certain fibers.
Fabric composition
Both natural and artificial fibers are used in the production of knitwear, therefore the composition is different:
- cotton;
- viscose;
- wool;
- elastane;
- synthetic materials.
Knitted fabric can be completely composed of one type of fiber, or it can be composed of a combination of fibers.
Types of knitwear
Kinds of knitwear define the thread and its weave.Let’s take a quick look at each type.
One of the most popular types of material is oil. As a rule, it has a synthetic composition such as polyester or lycra. Viscose is less common. Oil is a light, playful fabric with shine and coolness. This material easily takes any shape, drapes beautifully. You can sew dresses, blouses and longsleeves from it. However, keep in mind that such jersey can emphasize figure flaws.
The next type is noodles. This is a knitted elastic knitted fabric.It is used to sew a straight dress with a high neckline or turtlenecks, suits with a skirt or trousers, T-shirts and tops
Footer. The material received this name thanks to the lining technology. This is a technology of special weaving of fabric, when additional threads are knitted into the warp thread on the wrong side and a fleece is obtained from the inside. From the front, the footer is smooth and even. This type of knitted fabric is created, as a rule, on the basis of cotton. Sweatshirts, hats, tracksuits are sewn from the footer.There is also a fleece lining that is thicker and warmer.
You can also find different types of quilted knitwear. It consists of two layers, between which there is a barely noticeable filler. The material retains heat well; bombers, sweatshirts, cardigans are sewn from it.
Another type of knitwear is a corrugated or pleated metal fabric. This is a great option for a trendy skirt.
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In fabric stores you can find knitted fabrics that are decorated with decorative details.For example, knitwear with beads is suitable for a dress or sweatshirt.
There is a knitted fabric that looks like cotton sewing. It consists of cotton, but it stretches well. This delicate, lightweight knitwear is suitable for a summer dress, blouse, sundress.
Knitwear with a 3D effect is another interesting option. The effect is created thanks to two layers: mesh and knitted fabric with the same pattern.
Lycra is a knitted fabric, from which leotards and suits for gymnastics are most often sewn.Typically, this material comes in a wide range of vibrant, saturated colors.
Interlock is a fabric with a smooth and slightly silky surface on both sides. Interlock jersey, as a rule, does not unravel and does not deform. It is 100% cotton. It is suitable for sewing children’s clothes, as well as household, sports and everyday items.
Knitted stitch is one of the thinnest knitwear, usually made from cotton. It is a hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly material.The jersey stretches a little in width, and is practically not stretchable in length. From it they sew clothes for children and newborns, as well as robes, T-shirts, tops, underwear.
Ribana has the same front and back sides. The jersey material has good stretch, so it is often used for sewing cuffs on sleeves, trousers, or for finishing the neckline.
Supplex is made of nylon with the addition of Lycra. Such jersey stretches well, it is bright and durable. Supplex is used to make dance costumes and leotards.
Terry cloth – pile in the form of large loops, which can be on one or both sides.
Fleece is created on the basis of polyester. Such a knitted material is used as a lining for outerwear or for sewing thermal underwear, jackets, coats, sweatshirts.
The surface of the velor is reminiscent of velvet. Velor is durable, retains its shape for a long time. Winter or demi-season clothes are sewn from it.
Jersey is a type of single jersey that stretches mostly only in width.Knitwear flows softly over the body, from which shirts, dresses, skirts and suits are sewn
Kinds of weaving of knitwear
Knitted weave happens:
- Kulirnoye.
- Warp Knitted.
Backweave is divided into 3 categories:
- Smooth. The front side is formed by columns of braids and is smooth to the touch, the back side is rough. The jersey stretches well in width and poorly in length.
- Eraser. This is an elastic fabric that is knitted with an elastic band.The composition includes lycra or elastane. Such jersey does not wrinkle and retains its shape for a long time.
- Double-faced. The jersey is the same on both sides, it doesn’t stretch or stretch.
Warp knit assumes that all warp threads are knitted separately, offset by several needles. As a result, jersey is obtained with inclined loops in the form of arcs or sticks. Weave is also divided into subcategories:
- Atlas. The fibers of the knitted fabric form a zigzag pattern.Bed linen and curtains are sewn from it.
- Tights. Here the shift goes in one row and in one direction.
