Knitting is a method of producing the fabrics, where yarns are interlooped to form a flat fabric. Two types of knitting exist, namely, warp knitting and weft knitting whereas, weaving is another method to produce fabrics by the right angle interlacement of 2 sets of yarn –named as warp [longitudinal direction or length-wise direction] and weft [transverse direction or width-wise direction]. The prominent differences between the knitted and woven fabrics, machine and manufacturing process are mentioned below.
Comparison between knitted and woven fabrics, machine and manufacturing process:
Sl no. |
Parameter |
Knitted Fabric |
Woven Fabric |
01 |
Process requirement |
Fabric can be produced from a single end or a cone of a yarn in case of weft knitting. |
Fabric requires two sets of yarn for interlacement, one is warp and other is weft yarn. |
02 |
Dimensional stability |
Less stable. Careful handling is required for knitted fabric during wet processing and stitching. |
More stable. |
03 |
Comfort |
More open spaces that give better air permeability and moisture management. |
Less comfort due to tight structure. |
04 |
Shape retention properties |
Knitted garments get the shape of the wearer’s body, hence, best for undergarments. |
Woven garments retain their own shape. |
05 |
Crease resistant |
High crease resistance |
Poor crease resistance |
06 |
Development route |
Fabric can be produced from yarn package. So process route is very short. |
Yarn preparation requires like warping, sizing drawing, etc. |
07 |
Conversion Cost |
Conversion requires no preparation, so conversion cost is low. |
Conversion from yarn to fabric involves various processes. The conversion cost is higher. |
08 |
Environmental effect |
The yarn is just waxed. No need to size the yarn, so development cause less environmental hazards. |
Preparation includes a sizing of warp yarn that has to remove before color application, that may cause environmental pollution |
Reference: Textile Engineering by Yasir Nawab.
Texpedi.com
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