Knitting is one of the ways of turning thread or yarn into clothes.
Knitted fabric completely consists of horizontal parallel courses
(crosswise) of yarn. These courses are joined to each other by
interlocking loops where a short loop of one course of the yarn is
wrapped over the bight of another course. Knitted fabric is obtained either by hand knitting process or then by machine. In hand knitting process, a base series of twisted loops of yarn are made on a knitting needle before starting the process. A second needle is then used to reach through each loop in succession to snag a bight of yarn and pull a length back through the loop. Knitting by machine use a different mechanical system producing nearly identical results.
Knitted fabric composites show higher impact tolerance compared to the traditional composites or even to woven fabric composites. It is believed that the hand knitting originated among the nomads of the Arabian Peninsula about 1000 BC.
Types of knitted Fabrics
Weft Knitted Fabric - It is either made by hand or machine by looping together the lengths of the yarn. This supports the fabric to become stretchy and comfortable. Weft-knitted fabrics are uaed in socks, T-shirts and jumpers.
Warp Knitted Fabric - It is made by machine only. The loops, in this kind of fabrics interlock vertically along the length of the fabric. It is only slightly stretchy and it do not ladders. These are used as swimwear, underwear and geotixtiles.
