Knitting is a craft that creates stitches, or groups of loops of yarn, in rows, either flat or in the round (tubular). The stitches are held together with the ends of the yarn being anchored at each end of the row. This enables the fabric to stretch, and can be used to make clothes that fit closely to the body’s curves. Knitting can also be done in a number of ways to produce different patterns of the fabric. Some of these include bobbles, lace and cables.
A key factor that affects knit fabrics’ elasticity is the type of yarn used. The yarn may be made from natural filament fibers such as silk, or synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon. In general, the stronger the yarn is, the more it will resist breaking under tension. The strength of the yarn is related to its twist, the length of the fibers and its thickness.
Compared to woven fabrics, knitted ones are usually lighter and more flexible, and have better thermal properties. They are also less prone to fraying, and can be finished without seams. This can be a significant advantage when knitting garments that require the user to perform manual actions, such as putting on the clothing.
In addition to their comfort, knitted fabrics offer the possibility to incorporate extra features such as buttons, ties, zippers or other closures for garments. They can be also embroidered to add additional patterns, or to improve their durability. They are also suitable for incorporating letters and symbols, which can be useful to personalize the fabric with a name or a date. knit