Classification of knitted fabrics

Knitted fabrics are mainly divided into two categories: weft knitted fabrics and warp knitted fabrics.

Weft knitted fabrics are used for sweaters and socks, while warp knitted fabrics are commonly used as underwear fabrics, and manual weaving is also a method of weft knitting.

In weft knitting, the yarn undergoes lateral reciprocating motion (or circular motion) from one side of the machine to the other, by cooperation with the movement of the knitting needle, a new knitting coil can be formed. The yarn of weft knitted fabric runs horizontally, and the formation of the fabric is formed by the loops connected by the knitting needles in the horizontal direction up and down. All coils in the horizontal row are woven from a single yarn. Weft knitted fabrics can be completed on a flat or circular machine.

Warp knitting is the longitudinal movement of a group of warp yarns in the warp direction, combined with the movement of knitting needles to form a new knitted loop. There is a fundamental difference between the production of warp knitted fabrics and weft knitted fabrics. Yarn is woven in the warp direction in warp knitted fabrics, just like the warp of woven fabrics, with a large number of parallel arranged yarns wound on the warp axis, similar to woven fabrics. Yarn moves in a "Z" shape along the length direction of the fabric from one side to the other, and each coil in a horizontal column is woven with different yarns.

Among knitwear, weft knitted fabrics account for the largest proportion.

Weft knitted fabrics mainly include basic weft knitted fabrics (plain knitted fabrics, ribbed fabrics, double back knitted fabrics) and special weft knitted fabrics (double ribbed knitted fabrics, double-sided knitted fabrics, plush, knitted loops, knitted velvet, etc.).