UNIT I

Introduction To Knitting
1.1 Fabric Forming Methods
Fabric
Fabric is a textile macro - structure which is manufactured from the textile micro
structures such as yarn(s) or fibers.
Fabric Manufacturing Technology
The technological aspects involved in the production of different fabrics and their study is
called Fabric Manufacturing Technology
Fabric Forming Methods
Major Methods
1. Weaving
2. Knitting
Minor Methods
1. Non-Woven
2. Braiding
Weaving
Weaving is the interlacement of two different sets of threads namely warp and weft in
more or less right angle direction
Fabric known as - Woven Fabric
Machine known as Loom
Interlacement
This term may be defined as the insertion of weft threads in-between the division of
warp threads in a definite or predetermined order.

Warp
Warp in any woven fabrics denotes the longitudinal set of threads running parallel to
the fabric selvedges.
The number of warp threads present in unit space can be either measured in Ends per
inch (EPI) or Ends per cm(EPCM) in the fabric.
Weft
Weft in any woven fabric denotes the transverse threads running perpendicular to the
fabric selvedges.
The number of weft threads present in unit space can be either measured in picks per
inch (PPI) or picks per cm(PPCM) in the fabric.
Knitting
Knitting is the intermeshing or interlooping of single yarn or single set of yarns to
produce knitted fabric.
Or
Knitting is a process of manufacturing a fabric by the intermeshing of loops of yarns.
Non Woven
Non-woven textiles are those which are neither woven nor knit
Non-woven fabric is manufactured by putting small fibers together in the form of a
sheet(web) and then binding them either mechanically with an adhesive, or thermally
(by applying binder(in the form of powder, paste, or polymer melt) and melting the
binder onto the web by increasing temperature).
Non Woven Applications
Hygiene
Baby diapers
Feminine hygiene
Adult incontinence products

Wipes
Domestic
Technical
Filters
Geotextiles
Carpet backing
Backing/Stabilizer for machine embroidery
Pillows, Cushions, and upholstery padding
Disposable clothing (Surgical Scrubs, Mask, Cap, Foot Covering)
Consumer face masks
Braiding
Braid is a system of three or more yarns intertwined in such a way that no two yarns are
twisted around one another. In practical terms, braid refers to a family of fabrics
continuously woven on the bias
Braid - Applications

Industrial
Aerospace
Recreational
Medical

1.2 Comparison of Weaving and Knitting

1.3 Principles of Knitting
Two main principles of knitting technology
Knitting Technology can be divided into two main principles with respect to the direction
of stitch formation.
-

Weft Knitting technology Warp Knitting technology

Weft Knitting
The direction of loop formation is horizontal one or the loops in a fabric are running more
or less perpendicular to the fabric edges.
Warp Knitting
The direction of loop formation is vertical or diagonally vertical or the loops in a fabric
are running more or less parallel to the fabric edges.
Or
Warp knitting is a process in which the yarn is knitted upwards instead of a single row,
following the adjacent columns known as wales. In warp knitting the total number of
individual yarns is equal to the total stitches in a row of course. Warp knitting is done
only by machine, not by hand.
1.4 Comparison of Weft and Warp Knitting
1.5 Classification of Knitting Machines
There are innumerable weft knitting and warp knitting machines developed for various
end-use knit structures. Based on the type of needles used on the machine, weft knitting
machines are classified as follows
Classification of Weft Knitting Machines