Weft Knit Base Structures

Question 1

What are the characteristics and production of PLAIN KNIT?

Answer 1

• also known as single jersey
• knitted on 1 bed of needles
• has face stitches and reverse stitches
• cheapest base structure
• tendency to curl at edges

Question 2

What are the characteristics and production of the RIB structure?

Answer 2

• also known as double jersey
• knitted on 2 needle beds
• identified as having columns/wales of both face and reverse loops on both side of fabric
• -commonly used as ribs and cuffs on knitwear
• thicker, more elastic
• more expensive

Question 3

What are the characteristics and production of INTERLOCK structure?

Answer 3

• variation of rib
• 2 needle beds placed opposite each other
• yarn knits on alternate face and reverse needles, meaning it takes 2 courses of loops to create a full course of interlock.
• less elastic, more dimensionally stable
• more expensive

Question 4

What are the characteristics and production of PURL structure?

Answer 4

• knitted on 2 needle beds opposite each other
• loop transferred from one bed to the other
• identified by having both face and reverse loops in same wale
• least common base

Question 5

What kinds of specialist fabrics can be knitted on specialist machinery?

Answer 5

• silver knit fabrics (faux fur, high pile fleece)
• towelling
• both can be passed through cropping machines to make velour.