DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOVEN AND KNITTED FABRIC
Textile or fabric is a flexible material that consists of a network of natural or artificial yarns. Fabrics are formed by weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting or felting. Fabrics are made from sources like animals (wool, silk), plants (cotton, flax, jute), minerals (asbestos, glass fibre) and synthetic materials (nylon, polyester, acrylic). Weaving is a textile production method which involves interlacing of a set of long threads.
Knitting, looping and crocheting involves interlacing loops of yarns which are formed either on a knitting needle, normal needle or a crochet hook. Braiding involves twisting threads together into a cloth. Felting involves pressing a mat of fibres together and working them together, until they tangle. Non-woven textiles are manufactured by bonding of fibres to make fabric. To notice a needle creating loops, dipping in and out of each stitch is fascinating; but after distinguishing a fabric into different categories can be relatable.
Knit fabric is produced by using one set of yarn by inter looping. Process of knit fabric manufacturing is knitting. Knit fabric is flexible, and can be readily used for constructing small pieces, making it ideal for socks and hats. Knit fabric is more durable. These fabrics can be as thin as mesh or as thick as sweatshirt fleece. Because of the symmetry of yarns on both sides of knit fabric, they curl a little on the edges. Most common fibers that are used for knitted fabrics are cotton and viscose; and these tend to be single jersey construction and they are used for most T-shirts. Knit fabric is made up of single color yarn, but there are ways to work in multiple colors; wherein, yarns can be dyed to produce multi color products. Knit fabric was earlier hand woven; however, now it is produced with knitting machine or flat knitting machine. T-shirt, polo shirt, inner wear or leggings can be made from knit fabric.
Textile formed by weaving is a woven fabric. Woven fabric is generally produced on a loom and made on many threads, woven on warp or weft. Two or more threads that interlace at right angles to one another; produce a woven fabric. Woven fabric only stretches diagonally in bias direction. Woven fabric can be produced from hand loom to power loom. Fibers of a woven fabric are wound in such a way that they create criss-cross patterns. Woven fabrics are often used for sewing and their edges need to be finished properly, since they unravel easily. Shirt, trousers and jeans can be made up of woven fabric. Woven fabric is comparatively thick, because of the use of two or more yarns.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOVEN AND KNIT FABRIC
If you are a designer, you would be able to tell the difference between woven and knit fabric, just by looking at them. However, it is not that easy to notify the difference between the two. Because knit fabric is made from one continuous thread, it stretches all over. Woven fabric, on the other hand, will only stretch diagonally, on bias. Knit fabric does not have dimensional stability and has higher elastic properties. Knit is a cool and breathable fabric, while woven is comparatively thick and wind resistant. Because of being produced using one single yarn, knit fabric has less labor cost of manufacturing, as compared to woven fabric. Also, knit fabric is wrinkle resistant and woven fabric holds creases well. Moreover, woven fabric frays easily and should be finished well, as compared to knit fabric. Woven and knit fabric can be further distinguished on the basis of:
- LOOK
The basic difference between woven and knit fabric is the yarn that they are composed of. Knit fabric is made up of single yarn, looped continuously to produce braided look. However, multiple yarns comprise of woven fabric that are wound in such a way that they create criss-cross pattern.
- STRETCH
Stretching a fabric is also one of the ways to distinguish between woven and knit fabric. Woven fabric will not stretch along its width, but it may stretch along its length. However, knit fabric stretches easily along its width with a slightly less stretch along its length.
- WRINKLE
Woven and knit fabric behaves differently towards wrinkle resistance. Knit fabric can be easily pressed, but they retain their shape after some time. While woven fabric, on being pressed, has wrinkles on its surface.
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