INTRODUCTION TO KNITTING

Fabric forming process

Weaving is the interlacement (Fig.a) of two sets of threads (i.e. warp and weft) at a right angle.
Interlooping (Fig.c) consists of forming yarn(s) into loops, each of which is only released after a
succeeding loop has been formed and intermeshed with it.
Includes a number of techniques, such as braiding and knotting, where threads are caused to
intertwine (Fig.c) with each other at right angles or some other angle.

Knitting :

Knitting is a technique to turn thread or yarn into a piece of cloth. Knitted fabric consists of
horizontal parallel courses of yarn which is different from woven cloth. The courses of threads or
yarn are joined to each other by interlocking loops in which a short loop of one course of yarn or
thread is wrapped over the another course.
Definition

Knitting is a process of fabric forming by the intermeshing the loops of yarns. When one loop is
drawn through another, loops are formed in horizontal or vertical direction.

Types of Knitting
There are two of knitting-

1. Weft knitting
2. Warp Knitting

Weft knitting :
Weft Knitting is a method of forming a fabric in which the loops are made in horizontal way
from a single yarn and intermeshing of loops take place in a circular or flat form on across wise
basis.

Warp Knitting :
Warp Knitting is a method of forming a fabric in which the loops are made in vertical way along
the length of the fabric from each warp yarns and intermeshing of loops take place in a flat form
of length wise basis.
Weft knitting machine can be also divided into three types. They are:
i. Flatbar.
ii.Straight bar.
iii. Circular

Flatbar can be also divided into four types. They are:

i. Flat bet.
ii. V-bed.
iii. Single bed.
iv. Unidirectional.

Straight bar can be also divided into two types. They are:
i. Single needle.
ii.Double needle.

Circular can be divided into two types. They are:

i. Revolving cylinder.
ii. Circular bearded single jersey.
Revolving cylinder can be also divided into two types. They are:
i. Sinker top open top single jersey.
ii. Cylinder and dil.

Circular bearded single jersey can be also divided into two types. They are:
i Sinker wheel.
ii. Loop wheel.

Warp knitting machine can be also divided into two types. They are:
i. Raschel.
ii. Tricot.
Difference between Weaving and Knitting

Topics Weaving Knitting

The fabric forming process by The fabric forming process by

1. Definition interlacement of warp threads. intermeshing of loops.
The fabric shows high amount of
stretch and elasticity due to loop
2. Elasticity Very less or no elasticity. structure.

3. Dimentional Good dimensional stability

stability which causes less shrinkage. Less dimensional stability.
4. Durability More durable Less durable than woven Fabrics.

The knitted fabrics absorb more

5. Moisture The fabric absorbs less moisture because of their loose
absorption moisture construction.

The fabric provides good

6. Slacking and stability due to intersecting of It creates problem after wearing for
low sening yarns at right angle. along time.

Air is less permeable due to Air permeability is more due to

7. Air compact construction woven voluminous structure of knitted
permeability fabric. fabric.
woven fabrics are more
inclined to crease .So ironing
and iron retention are better Knitted fabrics are more resistant to
8. Crease knitted fabric. crease. So it requires no ironing.

Production cost is more due to

warp preparation and desizing Production cost is less due to modest
9. Production cost process manufacturing process.

TPI of yarn is comparatively TPI of yarn is comparatively lower

10. Yarn higher than knitting yarn. than woven fabric.
Difference between warp knitting & weft knitting

Warp knitting Weft knitting

The loops are produced to the width of the

The loops are produced to the length of fabric. fabric.

The Yarns run in the vertical direction. The Yarns run in the horizontal direction.

Each loop in the horizontal direction is made A horizontal row of loops can be made by
from a different Yarn. using on Yarn.
It is elastic to the length. It is elastic to the width.
Its elasticity is less. Higher elasticity.
Yarns are supplied from beam. Yarns are supplied from cone.

Any number of needle are required for one

At least one yarn is needed for each needle. yarn.
Less shrinkage. Higher shrinkage.