Do you know the difference between woven Fabric and knitted Fabric?
Most people don’t realize that there is a big difference between woven and knitted fabrics.
Woven Fabric is made of many threads woven on a warp and a weft.
On the other hand, Knitted Fabric is made by looping yarn around needles to create a series of interconnected stitches.
So which one is better for you? Well, it depends on what you need.
Woven fabrics are generally more durable than knitted fabrics, but knitted fabrics tend to be more stretchable.
Let’s dive in and look at the woven and knitted fabrics!
What are Knitted Fabrics and their history?
Knitted fabrics are made by interlocking loops of yarn, typically made of either wool or cotton. The Fabric is created by incorporating a series of individual stitches together, which are then held in place by the loops surrounding them.
The history of knitted fabrics dates back to the 16th century, when they were first used as decoration on clothing. Since then, they have been used extensively in the fashion industry and have become an essential part of many garments. In 1916 Coco Chanel debuted her now-famous knit suits, which popularized the use of knitted fabrics in mainstream fashion.
Today, knitted fabrics are used in various garments, from casual wear to formal wear. Such as t-shirt, polo shirt, jumpers, jogger pants and sweat shorts. Knitted fabrics are known for their comfort and flexibility,
Knitted fabrics are often used in sweaters, hats, scarves, and gloves. They are also frequently used in upholstery and other home furnishings. Knitted fabrics are available in various colors, textures, and patterns.
If you are looking for stylish and comfortable Fabric, knitted fabrics are a great option. Clothing made from these fabrics is often versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Knitted fabrics are also relatively easy to care for, making them a popular choice.
What are Woven fabrics and their history?
Woven Fabric is a type of cloth made by interlacing a series of parallel threads in a specific pattern. The Fabric is created by passing the weft thread over and under the warp threads.
Woven Fabric can be made from various materials, including cotton, silk, wool, and synthetic materials.
The history of woven Fabric can be traced back to ancient times. Fragments of linen and wool cloth dating back to 5000 BC have been found in the Middle East. In China, evidence of woven silk fabrics dates back to 3000 BC.
During the Middle Ages, woven Fabric production became an essential industry in Europe. Florence, Italy, was particularly well-known for its high-quality fabrics.
Today, woven Fabric is still widely used in the fashion industry. It is often used to create dresses, skirts, shirts, and other garments. Woven Fabric can also make home furnishings such as curtains and upholstery.
What Is The Difference Between Knit and Woven Fabrics?
Differentiating knit and woven fabrics can seem daunting. Still, once you understand the fundamental differences, it’s easy to see why one would be better suited for a particular application than the other.
Knit fabrics are made from one continuous piece of yarn that is looped together. This creates a very stretchy and forgiving fabric perfect for clothing that needs to stretch, like leggings or t-shirts.
Woven fabrics are made by interlocking two sets of yarn at right angles. This creates a much more sturdy material that doesn’t have as much give. Woven fabrics are better suited for things like dress shirts or pants.
There are some more specific differences between the two types of fabrics as below:
Stretch
Knit fabrics have much more stretch than woven fabrics. The yarn is looped together rather than interlocked at right angles. And because of this, knit fabrics are often used in garments that need to stretch, like leggings or t-shirts.
Thickness
Comparing a given width of woven and knit fabrics, the knit Fabric will always be thicker. It provides more coverage than a woven fabric with the same weight because the yarns are looped together. So the knitted fabric gives you a thicker and fluffy feel.
Breathability
Because of their construction, knit fabrics are more breathable than woven fabrics. It benefits from the fact that there are more gaps between the yarns. On the other hand, woven fabrics have a tighter construction with fewer gaps between the threads. This makes them better suited for more relaxed weather garments as they don’t allow heat and moisture to escape as easily.
Durability
Woven fabrics are much more durable than knit fabrics. Not just because of the way they are constructed but also because the yarns used in woven fabrics are generally thicker and more robust. This makes them less likely to tear or stretch out of shape or pilling.
Softness and comfort
For garments worn close to the skin, like underwear, softness and comfort are important factors. And in this case, knit fabrics win out over woven fabrics. The yarns in knit fabrics are looped together, making them softer and more comfortable to wear.
Common Types of Knit Fabric
There are many types of knit fabric, but some of the most common are jersey, ribbing, interlock, and fleece.
Jersey
Jersey is a type of knit fabric made from cotton or other natural fibres or synthetic fibres. It is soft and stretchy, making it a popular choice for T-shirts and other clothing items.
Ribbing
From its name, you can probably guess that ribbing is a knit fabric with a ribbed or textured surface. It is often made from cotton or wool or synthetic fibre or acrylic fibres and is commonly used for sweaters and other warm clothing items and sleeve cuffs as well.
Interlock
Interlock fabric, or call as double knit fabric manufactured using two rows of needles. It looks similar to single jersey. But the front and backside of the interlock fabric are the same. You can imagine it like two layers of single jersey fabric, knitted together back to back.
Fleece & French terry
Often used for hoodies and sweatshirts and other outerwear, they are a type of knit fabric made from cotton or polyester or other synthetic fibres. It is soft, warm, and lightweight, making it a popular choice.
Seeing from the surface, fleece and french terry are the same. However, they have a different backside as shown in the picture below.
Common Types of Woven Fabric
In daily life, we can see many different types of woven fabric, such as denim, corduroy, flannel, khaki, etc. But do you know what the most common types of woven Fabric are?
Plain weave
The warp and weft are aligned in plain weave, so they form a simple over-under pattern. This is the most basic type of weave and is found in various fabrics.
Twill
The feature of a twill weave is that the weft threads go over and under two or more warp threads. It can be made with either a diagonal or a wavy surface and is usually found in heavier fabrics such as denim.
Satin
Satin weave gets its name because it was initially woven with silk threads to create a lustrous surface. The warp threads cross over four or more weft threads in a satin weave. This creates a smooth surface with a lot of drapes.
Jacquard
The Jacquard weave is a complex weave that can create patterns and images in the Fabric. It was initially built on a Jacquard loom, which allows for intricate designs to be made.
Pros and Cons of Woven Vs. Knit Fabric
Now that you know a little more about woven and knit fabrics let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of each.
Pros of woven Fabric:
Normally use for fashion clothing and formal clothing, such as: blouse, dress, shirt and pants.
- Can be made from a variety of fibres
- Has a more structured appearance
- Tends to be more durable than knit Fabric
Cons of woven Fabric:
- Some kinds of woven fabric can be more difficult to sew than knit Fabric
- It may require special finishes to prevent fraying
- Tends to be less flexible than knit Fabric
Pros of knit Fabric:
Normally used for leisure or sport clothing, such as t-shirt, jumper, jogger pants and sweat shorts.
- Can be made from a variety of fibres
- Tends to have more stretch than woven Fabric
- Is often more comfortable to wear than woven Fabric
Cons of knit Fabric:
- May require special finishes to prevent fraying
- Tends to be less durable than woven Fabric
- May not have as structured an appearance as woven Fabric
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? Woven or knitted Fabric? The answer really depends on what you’re looking for.
Go with wovens if you want a more textured, rigid fabric with more petite drape. If you want something softer and stretchier, go with knits.
No matter which type of Fabric you choose, we at Lezhou Garment can help you create beautiful products that will stand out from the competition.
Contact us today to get started!