What is Knitted Fabric?

What is Knitted Fabric?

The contribution of the textile industry to our country's economy is unquestionably large. For this reason, knowledge of fabric, which is one of the building blocks of textile, and is learned in theory, is also of vital importance. In textile, anyone who does not know the fabric, thread, fiber or finishing cannot create a successful production. For this reason, you can start by learning what knitted fabric is, which has an important place in the classification of fabrics.

History of Knitted Fabrics

B.C. Knitted texture, which is thought to have been discovered by Central Asian Turks and Egyptians in the 5th-6th centuries, spread rapidly. The materials known at that time as simple needles, crochet hooks and spindles were later replaced by flexible needles.

Since the production process in hand knitting was limited, the first latch and hook needle invented by Matheew Townsend led to the emergence of the first knitting machine. The first knitting machine was developed in 1867, followed by the first circular knitting machine in 1878.

After the Second World War, there was a development in knitting machines and the first foundations of today's mechanical facilities were laid.

Knitted Fabrics

Knitted fabric is the spinning of threads into loops with needles, thus creating a flexible and elastic surface. Knitted fabrics are divided into 3 basic classes.

single plate knit fabric,

double plate knit fabric,

It is in the form of knitted fabric.

Now, if we have to group them one by one; Single plate knitted fabrics are grouped as single jersey, two thread, three thread, terry and pique.

Double plate knitted fabrics are categorized as rib, interlock, Thessaloniki and camisole. Since there are many different types of knitted fabrics, we see that they are preferred in different textile products according to their single and double knit features.

Fabric Knitting Machines

The conveniences of the industrial revolution that accelerated production also brought serious progress to the textile industry. Knitting machines are a very comprehensive engineering product today.

Most production errors are caused by misuse of the machine, finishing operations or problems in the knitting room. Problems in knitted yarns directly affect the fabric. Common mistakes that occur when sewing fabric in the market are as follows:

Thin thread or thread cutting,

thick thread,

Hole and burst errors,

fiber lumps,

yarn abrage,

Transverse lines and bands.

Knitted Fabric Types

single jersey

It is generally used in making t-shirts and underwear. The front and back are different. When it is not produced correctly, rotation occurs.

interlock

Both sides of this fabric, which is used in the production of products such as blouses, baby clothes and sweatpants, are similar to each other.

Rib

They are rubber knitted fabrics with very similar front and back surfaces, high elasticity and high transverse properties. Flexibility is increased by using Lycra. It is generally used in collars, sleeves and body production.

Camisole

The front and back of these fabrics, which have many longitudinal stripes, are similar to each other. They are used in women's top clothing products.

Pique

This fabric, also known as Lacoste, is among the knitted fabrics with a honeycomb-like appearance on the back side and the front and back sides are different from each other. They are used in polo neck t-shirts, tracksuits and women's dresses.

Two Threads

They are thick fabrics, with or without raising, and the front and back sides are different from each other. It is used in the production of sweatshirts, hooded cardigans and tracksuits.

Three Threads

The two threads are the same thickness as the fabric. It is used with two threads, with or without raising, for the same purpose.

Thessaloniki

The back side is interlock and the front side is a rib-like knitted fabric. Because they are thick, they are used in sweaters and cardigans.

Towel

The front side has a single jersey structure and the back side has a terry structure. It can generally be used in baby clothing, such as pantyhose, sweatshirts and rarely trousers.

Mesh Fabrics

These are fabrics with holes of various sizes. It is frequently used in women's tops, as blouses, linings, garni and shirts.

fleece

Fleeces, which are knitted fabrics whose knitting is invisible and made soft by various methods, are used as the inner parts of cardigans, coats and coats due to their warm-keeping properties. It is also highly preferred in baby clothing.

Differences Between Knitted Fabric and Woven Fabric

Knitted fabric and woven fabric are different from each other. While knitted fabrics are produced faster, the production processes of woven fabrics are slower. In terms of intended use, the differences between knitted fabric and woven fabric are quite evident.

Knitted fabric is flexible, woven fabric is not,

Knitted fabrics have a higher tendency to shrink,

Woven fabrics wrinkle more easily,

Knitted fabrics are more flowing,

Knitted fabric does not require washing after sewing, woven fabric is made ready for clothing,

Socks, tights, underwear, t-shirts and tracksuits are made of knitted fabric,

Pants, shirts, jackets and coats are made from outerwear.

Swimwear, such as swimwear, is also made from knitted fabric.

In other words, although knitted fabric has a wider usage area than woven fabric, it is easier to shape and fit the body.

Dyeing of Knitted Fabrics

Knitted fabrics are dyed mostly by exhaust methods. A small part of them is dyed with the continuous method.

In America and Europe, knitted knitted goods are dyed when they are in tube form. The reason for this is to ensure that the edges do not curl, the fabric does not become deformed, and the surface does not pill. Sometimes fabrics are dyed by type, sometimes they are dyed by opening.

Baking and whitening processes are applied before painting. Then the mercerization stage begins. After the fixing process, edge folds are reduced. By using a number of chemicals, the brightness, permanence and final state of the color are optimized.

When dyeing cotton fabric and general cellulose fiber, it is colored with dyestuffs such as reactive, direct, cube, sulfur, indigo, naphthol and pigment. Cellulose fiber is dyed with anionic dyes. By using the jacquard technique, patterns are created during dyeing.

Knitwear Fabric

Knitwear fabrics, called flat knits, are the most popular products of the textile industry. Jacquard, Selanik, stockinette, pigtail, single plate and double plate knitted fabrics are among the types of knitwear fabrics.

These fabrics do not wrinkle easily, recover in a short time and are compatible with the shape of the body. Since it has high air retention properties, heat retention rates are also high. These products, which are especially preferred in winter clothing products, have an important place in world fashion.

Knitwear Fabrics in Fashion

Coco Chanel also started a fashion trend that revolutionized textiles by using jersey in 1916. When this situation was reflected in sportswear, many different types of daily clothing styles emerged.

After the 1940s, famous names appeared with sweaters that slipped off the body, allowing knitwear, jersey and cotton fabrics to be used more intensively in textiles. Colorful and zigzag knitwear began to be used in many clothes. Knitwear fashion is still prevalent all over the world and many fashion giants include knitwear of different shapes in their creations.