Knitted fabric is a soft, stretchy fabric made by cross-knitting yarns on a knitting machine. Knitted fabrics are widely used in clothing, home furnishings, and industrial materials. In the production process of knitted fabrics, the two most common methods are weft knitting and warp knitting. This article will introduce you to these two types of knitted fabrics, their characteristics and applications.

Weft Knitting

Weft knitting is a method of knitting along the weft direction of the fabric on a knitting machine. During the weft knitting process, the needles on the knitting machine move in the direction of the weft, interweaving the yarns together row by row, forming the lateral structure of the fabric. Weft-knitted fabrics usually have good elasticity and softness, and are suitable for making close-fitting clothing and products that require comfort.

Characteristics of weft knitted fabrics:

Soft and comfortable: The structure of weft-knitted fabric gives it good softness and comfort, making it suitable for making close-fitting clothing.

Excellent elasticity: Weft-knitted fabric has good elasticity and can naturally fit the body curves and increase wearing comfort.

Easy to shape: Weft-knitted fabrics are easier to shape than warp-knitted fabrics, and are suitable for making various complex designs.

Applications of weft knitted fabrics:

T-shirts, shirts, underwear and other intimate clothing

Sportswear, casual wear and other clothing that require comfort and mobility

Products with higher comfort requirements such as bedding and home decorations

Warp Knitting

Warp knitting is a method of knitting along the warp direction of fabric on a knitting machine. In the warp knitting process, the yarns of the fabric are fixed along the weft direction, while the needles move in the warp direction, interweaving the yarns together to form the longitudinal structure of the fabric. Warp-knitted fabrics generally have higher strength and stability, making them suitable for products that require strength and support.

Characteristics of warp knitted fabrics:

High strength: Warp knitted fabrics have high strength and stability because the yarns are fixed along the longitudinal direction of the fabric.

Good support: The structure of warp knitted fabric makes it very supportive and suitable for making products that require strong support.

Resistant to deformation: Warp-knitted fabrics are less likely to deform than weft-knitted fabrics and maintain a stable shape.

Applications of warp knitted fabrics:

Underwear, socks, tights and other close-fitting clothing that require better support

Sportswear, swimwear and other clothing that require higher strength and support

Shoes, bags, car seat fabrics and other industrial materials that require strong support

Weft knitting and warp knitting are two common methods of making knitted fabrics. They have their own characteristics and are suitable for different application scenarios. We understand the difference between weft knitting and warp knitting, which helps to choose fabrics suitable for specific needs, providing more choices and possibilities for product design and production.