Knitting

Knitting Knitting is the interlooping of atleast one set of yarns. It may be done by hand using a set of two needles for flat fabrics or a set of four needles for circular fabrics. Knitting may be done on machines. The process consists of making a series of loops along the knitting needle or machine bed.

Each successive row is formed by interlooping with the first row of loops. The movement of the yarn is along the width of the material and therefore it is called filling or weft knitting . This method of knitting is used to produce articles which can be shaped while being constructed. At the industrial level, the knitting machines used are like the looms for weaving.

They have a set of yarns (like warp yarns) fitted on the machine. The interlooping occurs with adjacent yarns. This is known as warp knitting . This can produce continuous lengths of material, which unlike the weft knitted fabric can be cut and stitched.

F igure : W eft knitting F igure : W arp knitting Knitted fabrics can be made more rapidly. Because of the system of loops they have more elasticity and thus are suitable for fitted articles like vests, underwear, socks, etc. They are porous and permit free circulation of air, are comfortable and allow freedom of movement and are therefore ideally suited for sportswear.