Lecture # 6

knitting fundamentals

Knitting Fundamentals

Knitting Definition

Knitting is one of several ways to turn thread or yarn into cloth. Unlike woven fabric, knitted fabric consists entirely of horizontal parallel courses of yarn.

The courses are joined to each other by interlocking loops in which a short loop of one course of yarn is wrapped over the bight of another course.

Knitting can be done either by hand, described below, or by machine. In practice, hand knitting is usually begun (or "cast on") by forming a base series of twisted loops

Knitting is a process in which one thread is used to make loops and then newly formed loops are passed through previously formed loops and top and bottom loops are joined with the help of head and feet

Lecture # 7

Knitting Fundamentals

Knitting Fundamentals

Basic Elements in knitting is

Stitch or Course

Stitch Details

loop Loop insertion through loop Joining of two loops Knitted fabric flexibility depends upon loop

structure Loops have many shapes and types

Loop

An extended portion of a regular string Has no end It is part of main string Have balance shape Is made with the help of any tool which is able

to pull the string from a certain point

Loop Insertion

Loop is inserted through an other previously held loop with the help of needle

Needle should have the ability to hold fresh loop during insertion period

Needle is responsible to make new loops and hold the previous sloop

Loop insertion Animation Knitting Cycle

Website address for knitting cycle

exeltor.com/.../index. php?ss=3&sss=1&stage=3

Lecture # 8

Classification of knitting

Knitting Classification

Based upon Knitting Procedure

Warp and Weft

Warp Knitting Weft Knitting

Warp Knitting

In this process yarn sheet is developed (warp sheet) and then with the help of needles stitches are formed by insertion new loop into old loop.

Warp Knitting Machine

Warp Knitted Fabric

Weft Knitting

In weft knitting single yarn is fed to knitting needles. Needle with the help of cams, sinker make a new loop and passed it into previously held loops.

Types of Weft Knitting

Circular Knitting and Flat Knitting

Circular Knitting Machines

In circular knitting machines needles are fixed on a cylinder or dial in a circular shape.

There are more than one feeders to feed yarn to needles at different places.

In most of the cases needle bed (cylinder or dial) moves while feeders remain stationary.

Diameter of cylinder and dial is fixed but in case of sock knitting machines it is changeable due to structure of socks

Circular Knitting Machine

Flat Knitting Machines

In flat knitting machines needles are fixed on a straight plate. On this machine needle bed remains stationary while yarn feeding system called carriage moves from one end to other end

This machine is used to knit collars, arm bands and sweaters

Flat Knitting

Types of Circular Knitting Machines Single Knitting Double Knitting

Single Knit Machine

In these machines needles are fixed on cylinder and sinker are fixed on sinker ring. Needles knit with the help of sinkers.

Single Knit Machine

Double Knit Machine

In double knit machine needles are fixed on dial as well as on cylinders. There is no sinkers on this machine.

This machine is used to knit interlock, rib and double jerseys

Double Knitting

Double Knit Fabric

Interlock--- Two sides are fully knitted, highly flexible used for under garments. Front and back wales are exactly at same point

Rib--- two sides are fully knitted. Less flexible but have strong grip, used for neck, cuff opening and waist band. Front and back wales are not at same point

Double Jersey Double side knitted, can have different designs on

both sides

Interlock Machine

Double Knit Jacquard Knitting Machine

Types of Single Knitting Machines Plain knitting Loop knitting

Single Knit Plain Knitting Machines Mostly called jersey machines. On this

machines, there is a set of needles and sinkers. These machines may be single track of multi track. From one track to six track machines are available.

These machine can knit jersey, pique, honey comb, mini jacquard

Single Plain Knitting Machines

Single Track Multi Track

Single Track Single Knit

Track means number of cams vertically fitted In single track machine there is only one track This machine can knit only full knit fabric

(single jersey)

Multi Track Knitting Machine

In this machine there are 2-6 tracks More number of tracks means that variety of

designs can be produced On these machine many types of fabric can

be produced, like, pique, pique fleece, two thread fleece and mini jacquard

Loop Knitting Machines

In these machines we can make loop on one or on both sides of fabric.

By introducing loops we can increase the weight and bulkiness of fabric

Types of Loop Knitting Machines

Terry Fleece

Terry Fabric

This fabric has loops on the surface, like towel but the length of loops is smaller than towels. Normally used to make shirts of kids or for people working under high temperature to absorb the moisture

Terry Knitting Machine

Terry Knitting Machine

Single Jersey Double Face Fabric

Three Thread Knitting Machine

This machine is used to produce fleece fabric. This fabric is plain from one side. Mostly front side is of single jersey and on back loop is inserted across various number of wales (normally two to three wales are covered).

Back side is brushed with the help of raising machine to make it more comfortable and bulky as well as warm

Two types of threads are used; fine for the top and course for back ( 30/16, 28/12 etc)

Three Thread Fleece Machine

Fleece Fabric

Striper

In stripe knitting machines we can produce horizontal stripes with the help of scissors which cuts the yarn and a new yarn is fed

There are two types of: Mechanical Electronic Note: in current era there is no fresh

production of mechanical strip machines

Stripe Knitting Machine

Jacquard Knitting Machines

These machine are available in single and double knit technology

Normally more than one colored yarns are used.

Different patterns are made Normally 4-6 color machines are available

All types of machines can be converted into jacquard machines

Jacquard Machines

Mechanical Jacquard Electronic Jacquard

Jacquard Fabric

Flat Knitting

Single bed Double bed

Full Garment Flat Knitting Machines

These are latest machines and are used to make full length of garment

Quite expensive Not in Pakistan Required in countries where labour is

expensive

Gloves Knitting Machine

Gloves Knitting machines

In this machine bed rotates and carriage moves from one side to other

Lecture # 9

Warp knitting

Warp Knitting

Types of Flat Knitting

Raschel, made with latch needles, Tricot, using bearded needles.

Warp-Knitting When producing warp-knits, a yarn sheet is

linked by stitches in longitudinal direction. Thus, each individual thread in the sheet (warp) forms a wale.

Warp Knitting

Main products Nets Curtains Technical fabrics Covers Covering sheets

Working Principle

Warp sheet Loops development with the help of needles Loops insertion with the help of needles Needle movement controls mechanically and

electronically

Properties of Warp Knitted Fabric

More stable than knitted Big and small holes are possible Many designs are possible Highly course yarn can be used Technical fabric can be produced

Use of Warp Knitted Fabric

Use to fulfill technical demands, like, filters, seat covers etc

Used as curtains, table covers Used as Chadar in Pakistan Not used for clothing

Warp Knitting Industry in Pakistan Very small number of mills, mainly in

Gujranwala One or two in Lahore