Unit 3 Lecture 18 Topic 1

Question 1

Knitted Fabrics:

Answer 1

Composed of interlocking loops of yarn. One or more sets of yarns can be used to make knitted fabrics.

Question 2

What are the two categories knitted fabrics are divided into?

Answer 2

Weft (filling) knits and warp knits.

Question 3

Weft Knits:

Answer 3

Fabric formation happens horizontally, similarly to weft direction in a woven fabric. The basic structure consists of a single element interlooped to form a fabric. What we typically think of as knitted fabric is usually weft-knit construction – sweaters, t-shirts, socks, yoga pants, etc.

Question 4

Warp Knits:

Answer 4

Fabric formation happens vertically, similarly to the warp direction in woven fabric. The basic structure consists of one set of elements interlooped to form a fabric. Warp knits are not what we typically think of as knit fabrics. They usually have stretch similar to woven fabric (lower than weft knits) unless spandex is used and often form fine open structures (e.g. netting & lace-like fabric). Many yarns are used and each yarn is controlled by a separate needle. Yarns form the fabric in a vertical direction and cannot be unravelled.

Question 5

In knitted fabrics, instead of counting yarns, we count ________ or _____.

Answer 5

Stitches, loops

Question 6

Wales:

Answer 6

Stitches running vertically. One needle is required on the knitting machine for each wale formed in the fabric.

Question 7

Courses:

Answer 7

Stitches running horizontally. In machine knitting, additional courses can be started before the preceding one is completed.

Question 8

How do you get a knitted fabric count?

Answer 8

You can either count the wales and courses, or more commonly, use the knitting gauge of the fabric (needles/cm on knitting machine) to indicate fineness/coarseness of the knit structure.