History of Knitted Fabric

Compared to the other two classes, knitted fabrics are much more elastic,  which accounts for their historical use in stockings and other clothing that  requires changes in shape.  Hence, dresses and lingerie made from knitted fabrics can be more form-fitting than  counterparts made from a woven fabric. Knitted fabrics can stretch, depending on their material and knitting pattern, up to 500 percent of their original size.  Lace knitting generally produces the most flexible fabric, since it has large holes that can  deform in shape; by contrast, cable knitting generally produces the least flexible fabric,  since the stitches are crossed under tension, which inhibits deformation.  Knitted fabrics that do not deform much are called stable knits. For comparison,  woven fabrics typically deform only along their bias direction–i.e., at 45° to the warp  and weft directions–and only by a small amount; however, a woven fabric made  with a stretchable material such as Lycra may deform more than a stable knit. The elasticity of knitted fabrics gives them an excellent drape,  but this is opposed somewhat by their generally greater thickness compared to wovens.  Thus, the turn of the cloth (i.e., the maximum curvature of a fold of the fabric) is generally  finer in woven fabrics than in knitted fabrics. For this reason, knitted fabrics resist wrinkles  better than wovens, but do not generally take a crease. Knitted fabrics are generally warmer and more comfortable than woven fabrics,  which is why they are worn closer to the body. Moreover, knitted fabrics are often  made from wool, which stays warm even when wet; wool is preferred since  it is more elastic than most fibers and produces more even, beautiful knits. In general, elasticity and warmth are opposing qualities in a knitted fabric,  since the most elastic knitted fabrics, such as lace, have the largest holes  and are thus less insulating.

Structure of Knitted Fabrics

Knitted fabrics are divided into two basic types: warp-knit fabrics such as tricot and  weft-knit fabrics such as a hand-knit sweater. Weft-knit items have the drawback that  they run when cut. Warp-knit fabrics are often used in lingerie. knits shrink knits have nap ribs/wales versus courses generally more elasticity along the course than along the wale Knitting stitchesOver the long history of knitting across the world, hundreds of different  knitting stitches have been created. The basic nuilding block of all hand knitting are the following stitches: knit, purl, cast on,  cast off, increase and decrease stitches. Use of a combination of these methods can  provide a vast number of different textures to knitted fabrics. In order to save space in knitting patterns, the names of stitches are  normally abbreviated.

 

Styles of knitted fabrics

Boiled wool Bunting Double knits Four-way stretch knits Interlock knits Jersey Milanese Power net Raschel knits Rib knits Single knits Stable knits Stretch knits Stretch velour Sweater knits Sweatshirt knits Tricot Two-way stretch knits Fleece knit