WOVEN VS KNIT
FABRICS
Sonjit Kumar Saha
Lecturer
Department of Apparel Manufacturing & Technology, BUFT
THE
STRUCTURAL DIFFERENCE
THE
FABRIC CONSTRUCTION
o Woven fabric is at least made up of two separate groups
of yarns (warp and weft) and knitted fabric can be made
up of one yarn only.
o Weaving is interlacing of 2 set of yarn to form a fabric,
whereas knitting is a process of converting yarn to fabric
by forming a series of loops dependent on each other.
ELASTICITY
o Elasticity is the ability of the fabric to extend and recover to
its original shape and length.
o Knitted fabric has higher extensibility and instant
recovery ability than woven fabric.
FABRIC DENSITY AND COVER
o In general, woven fabric can be produced in extremely tight
and higher coverage when compared with knitted fabric.
o Range of density variation is much higher than knitted fabric.
o Knitted fabric in general, is looser in structure.
Woven and knit fabrics
PRODUCTION COST
o Weaving requires expensive preparation processes like warping, sizing, draw-in; while knitting only
requires yarn waxing.
o The production rate of circular knitting is roughly FIVE times faster than modern weaving loom. (weft in
woven fabric).
KNIT FABRIC FOR APPAREL USE
Casual wear Casual wear Sweater Sweater
Active wear Sports wear Sleep wear Under wear Dress
WOVEN FABRIC FOR APPAREL USE
Jeans Work shirts Suits Dress shirts
Sleep wear Work Jacket Uniform
DRESSES IN BANGLADESH
ADVANTAGES OF
BANGLADESH KNIT SECTOR
o Knitwear is a near self-sufficient sector in all respect.
o Currently BKMEA members are supplying 90% of the knit fabric requirements of the sector.
o Local yarn suppliers provide around 75% of the total requirement of the sector.
o We have more than 250 composite factories; besides the composite units many garments have their own dyeing
and finishing units.
o Bangladeshi Knitwear is exported to about 150 countries in the world. EU and the USA are the major importer.
o Capacity is increasing at a good rate to cope with the future demand of this sector.
o Bangladesh provides labor forces unparalleled in stitching capability and skill.
KNIT VS WOVEN (Export)
COUNTRY WISE KNITWEAR IMPORT, EU27
COUNTRY WISE KNITWEAR IMPORT, USA.
Where are knits??
In casual wears …
Difference Between Woven & Knitted Fabric
Woven Fabric Knitted Fabric
Two sets of yarn in woven One or more sets of yarn in
fabric. knitted fabric.
Higher twisted yarn is used in Lower twisted yarn used in
woven fabric. knitted fabric.
Good dimensional stability. Dimensional stability lower than
woven fabric.
Higher tensile strength. Lower tensile strength.
No curling tendency at end. Curling tendency at end.
Fabric is hard than knitted Softer handle.
fabric.
Lower absorbency. Higher absorbency.