Do You Know The Difference Between Knit Fabrics And Woven Fabrics?

Do You Know The Difference Between Knit Fabrics And Woven Fabrics?

Fabric is generally made in one of three ways — woven, knit, or bonded. Woven and knit fabrics are the most common types and they have many differences and similarities. The terms “woven” and “knit” do not refer to specific fabrics, but rather the design or the way the fabric is put together. For instance, cotton is a type of fabric that comes in both knit and woven designs.

The surface of woven fabric is usually hard and not stretch. Formation of woven fabrics are two sets of yarns. Those yarns are known as warp yarn and weft yarn. Basically, this set of warp and weft yarns interlacement are known woven fabric

The surface of knit fabric is soft and stretchy. Single yarn is an intermeshing and created a loop in the fabric. This is the main formula of knit fabric formation.

The easiest way to tell whether a fabric is knit or woven is to look closely at the fibers. If you see loops, it is a knit fabric, but if it resembles more of a checkerboard, it is woven.

In knit fabric (left), one continuous yarn is looped repeatedly to create what looks like tiny rows of braids. In woven fabric (right), multiple yarns cross each other at right angles to form the grain like a basket.

Apply the stretch test

When knit fabric is stretched along its width, it will stretch significantly. Along its length, it will stretch slightly. If a knit fabric is stretched excessively, a run may form. Most woven fabrics can’t stretch along the lengthwise grain (the length of the fabric), and there is minimal give along the crosswise grain (the width of the fabric).

Check the wrinkle resistance

When you ball up a knit in your hand, it will crush easily. When you release it, the fabric will spring back into shape with few, if any, wrinkles. When you wad up a woven fabric, it usually wrinkles easily.

Inspect the edges

A knit is either sold as a tube or flat. On flat knits, factories apply round blobs of starch or glue along the lengthwise edges to prevent them from curling. Along the width, or cut edge, the fabric doesn’t fray. The lengthwise edges of a woven fabric, called the selvages, are strong and don’t move. The cut edge across the width of the fabric frays.