Knitwear and fabric – what's the difference? Which type of material should you choose for which projects?
Woven and knitted fabric are textile materials used to produce textile products. The main difference between materials is the way their fibers are woven together. Both woven and knitted fabrics can be made from the same types of threads, fibers or yarns, but constructed in a different way. The form of braiding the threads makes knitted fabrics soft and flexible, and fabrics quite stiff and non-stretchy.
Fabrics are woven on looms, and knitted fabrics are made on knitting machines or, on a smaller scale, knitted or crocheted. The method of production affects the differences between materials, making knitwear and fabric different, for example, in terms of stretchability and behavior when sewing, cutting and wearing.
How is the fabric made?
The fabric is made by weaving together two types of thread, the so-called warp and weft. First, the warp threads are stretched and tightened on the loom, and then the weft threads are interwoven between them. The latter is usually more delicate and thinner. To maintain the appropriate tension of the entire material during production, the edges of the fabric are woven a little more densely than the further surface. The edges have a name, they are called selvedge or factory edge. The weft threads in the fabric run crosswise, while the warp threads run parallel to the factory edges, i.e. along the fabric.
This method of production allows you to obtain a stable and non-stretchable material. Fabrics are easy to cut and sew because they do not stretch under the pressure of the presser foot and do not wave. Currently, most fabrics have an admixture of elastic fibers; without them, wearing tight jeans or fitted shirts would not be possible.
How is knitwear made?
Unlike woven fabric, knitwear is made of one thread creating characteristic stitches. Surely each of us has seen a person who knits. It has one thread, which is braided into interconnecting loops using wires. This is how horizontal rows of stitches and vertical columns are created. It is identical in the industrial production of knitted fabrics. The only difference is the thickness of the thread and the size of the meshes. Shaping the yarn into eyelets makes the thread become strongly wavy, it is not tense and it stretches visibly. Knitted fabrics are characterized by stretchability along and across the material. Due to the elasticity, knitted clothes are simple because they do not need pleats, fasteners or cuts. Nevertheless, knitted clothes deform quickly. Additionally, cutting and sewing knitwear requires more skill and carefully selected stitches.
Fabric use
Due to a number of advantages, we often choose fabric clothing. Fabrics are divided into soft and delicate or stiff and airy. Their greatest features include high resistance to damage, durability and ease of care. The material has very universal uses. It works well in the clothing industry, but also in the economy. The fabric is suitable for sewing all kinds of clothes. You can create many interesting designs with it - jeans, a T-shirt, a dress, a skirt, a coat are classics and can be found in every wardrobe.
Application of knitwear
Knitted fabrics are exceptionally pleasant to wear. We associate them with pleasant, soft and warm clothing items. Due to its elastic properties and stretchability, the material adapts perfectly to the body. We can use knitwear to create a warm sweater, cardigan, fitted dresses, skirts or blouses. In addition, knitted fabric is used to produce tights, stockings, seamless and thermal underwear.
