Knit fabric is a textile that results from interlocking yarn together with long needles. Knit fabric falls into two categories: weft knitting and warp knitting. Weft knitting is a fabric knit in which the loops run back and forth, while warp knitting is a fabric knit in which the loops run up and down.
Manufacturers use knit fabric to make items like t-shirts and other shirtings, sportswear, swimwear, leggings, socks, sweaters, sweatshirts, and cardigans. Knitting machines are the primary producers of modern knit fabrics, but you can also hand knit the material using knitting needles.
6 Characteristics of Knit Fabric
1. Stretchy and flexible. Since knit fabric forms from a series of loops, it’s incredibly stretchy and can stretch both in width and length. This fabric type works well for zipperless, form-fitting clothing items. The texture of knit fabric is also flexible and unstructured, so it will conform to most shapes and drape or stretch over them.
2. Wrinkle-resistant. Due to knit fabric’s elasticity, it’s very wrinkle-resistant—if you crumple it into a ball in your hand and then release, the material should spring back into much the same shape it had before.
3. Soft. Most knit fabrics are soft to the touch. If it’s a tight-knit fabric, it will feel smooth; if it’s a looser-knit fabric, it will feel bumpy or ridged due to the ribbing.
4. Easy to maintain. Knit fabric doesn’t require a lot of special care like hand-washing and can easily handle machine-washing. This fabric type doesn’t require ironing, since it’s generally wrinkle-resistant.
5. Easy to damage. Knit fabric isn’t as durable as woven fabric, and it will eventually begin to stretch out or pill after wear.
6. Difficult to sew. Due to its stretchiness, knit fabric is much harder to sew (either by hand or on a sewing machine) than non-stretchy fabrics, because it can be challenging to stitch straight lines without gathers and puckers.
Post time: Dec-19-2022