Knitting and its types

Different Types Of Knitting To Learn

Knitting compromises making of beautiful patterned fabrics from yarn or thread. A continuous yarn is turned into interlinked loops to give a piece of beautiful and creative fabric or garment. Knitting artwork, sweaters, socks, bed sheets, mittens, slippers etc are some of the creations made as a result of this technique. About 40 percent of fabrics used by US people are produced by knitting.

It can be done by two means:-
1).By hand using two needles or,
2).By machines

Usually at homes, knitting is done by using needles but for commercial purpose, it is done by machines to produce large amount of fabrics in order to fulfill the needs. The clothes knitted from machine are more beautiful then the clothes knitted by needles but in case of strength, clothes knitted by needles and hands are more lasting ones.

Using needles for knitting

Each loop is created by the help of needles and in such a fashion that every new loop comes after a perfectly made, thus forming a series of interconnected and chainlike sews which in turn results into a fabric or garment. The knit sews that happen in upright columns are known as WALES, and those in flat rows are known as COURSES. Although the figure that the knit sew acquires does not alter, the fashion in which the loop is pulled through previously conceived loops varies. This lets portion of the loop to be seeable on the face position, leading in a visual aspect and texture which is unlike when watched from the back end. When a loop is drawn through from the backward to the forepart, it’s mentioned as a knit or plain stitch; when pulled in the reverse fashion, it’s known as a purl stitch. Different types of needles can be used.

The hand knitting done by a person using two needles is known as WEFT knitting in which the stitches are done crosswise (the wales are perpendicular to the course of the yarn) to give rise a cloth or fabric. A single yarn can produce an entire fabric by adding stitches to each wale in turn, moving across the fabric. The fabric or garment so produced is much looser and elastic. This form of knitting can also be done by machines often in high speed for producing hosiery, underwear, sweaters, socks and alike garments.

Using machines for knitting

Machines are usually used in knitting for achieving the results in less time and for producing fabrics in large scale. The knitting done by machines is known as WARP knitting. Unlike weft knitting, this can be only done by using machines. The stitches are done lengthwise (the wales and courses run roughly parallel) to create a fabric. An independent or separate needle is used for every stitch. This means that on that point, one needle must be in the machine for every wale or rib in the fabric. The machine bears a slotted piece of metallic element known as needle bed where needles are held in place. The needles come up and down in the bed to execute the knitting procedure. While the loop is formed, the needles of the latch type, designed to hold the yarn, cast the yarn off and repeats the sequence.

Comparison between The two types of knitted fabrics

Which knitted fabric is better? To get the answer, it is better that you use both the form of fabrics for experiencing yourself. But if you need my experience and opinion then here you go.
However the fabrics knitted from the machines are flexible, stylish, easy to care and cheap but not long lasting as compared to the fabrics knitted by hand. As time passes away, they loose their shape and holes are developed which cannot be repaired easily. So it is better to keep these facts in mind while choosing the knitted fabrics.

Thus it is perfect to say that hand knitting can’t be ignored and possess the same importance as the machine knitting has in this modern and industrialized world.

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 23rd, 2009 at 11:22 am and is filed under Knitting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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