Types of Weft Knitted Fabrics:Plain Knit/Rib Knit/Interlock Knit

Compared to woven fabric, weft-knitted fabrics are essentially used for their soothing texture, extensibility, durability, and dimensional stability. They are considered most suitable for crafting a wide range of athleisure pieces and accessories, including underwear, T-shirts, sportswear, baby clothes, pyjamas, knitwear, etc.

With the fabric structure modification and altering needle type and movement, great design possibilities can be achieved. Four basic types of weft-knitted structures are as under:

Four Basic Types of Wefts Knitted Structures:

1. Plain Knit or Single knit
   A Plain knit structure is the most basic weft-knitted structure. It is produced using one linear array of needles with all the loops intermeshed in the same direction.
   
   Features
   ● Thin and soft fabric.
   ● Rolls at the edges.
   ● The fabric is unbalanced and has a different appearance on the front and backside.
   ● Extensible in both lateral and longitudinal directions.
   ● Special finishes counteract curling and improve stability.
   
   Application
   ● Summer tops.
   ● Polo T-shirts (men's and ladies')
   ● Undergarments
2. Rib knit or double jersey
   Rib knit is produced by knitting two-needle systems, placed opposite, and meshing the stitches in adjacent wales in opposite directions. As such, these fabrics are also known as double jersey fabrics.
   
   Features
   ● Do not curl at their edges
   ● Reversible fabric
   ● Thicker than jersey knits
   ● Longitudinal extensibility is similar to that of a simple knitted structure.
   ● Very stable
   
   Application
   ● Collars and cuffs
   ● Necklines
   ● Bottom edges of sweaters
   ● Double knits jackets
   ● Knit hats
3. Purl knit
   In Purl knit fabric, the stitches are meshed in adjacent courses in opposite directions either by using special latch needles with two-needle hooks or by transferring the fabric from bed to bed between each knitting action.
   
   Features
   ● High longitudinal extensibility
   ● No tendency to curl
   ● Both sides appear similar
   ● Expensive
   ● Stretches out of shape easily
   ● Thicker than jersey knits
   
   Application
   ● Infants and children's wear
   ● Sweaters
   ● Scarves
4. Interlock Knit
   A combination of two rib-knitted structures, the Interlock structure gives little or no room for the wales or courses to close. Therefore, the interlock fabrics show relatively poor stretch properties in both directions.
   
   Features
   ● The front and back of the fabric are the same as the front of the single-sided fabric
   ● Stable fabric that does not change shape
   ● Thicker than the single-sided fabric
   ● Lengthwise and width wise extensibility is moderate.
   ● Expensive fabric
   
   Application
   ● Used in spring and autumn tops
   ● Pants
   ● Sports suits
   ● Dresses
   ● Skirt