Warp vs Weft Knitting
Differences, applications and faults
NATIONAL TEXTILE UNIVERSITY
January 25, 2014
Authored by: Rehan Ashraf
Contents
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WHAT IS KNITTING? ................................................................................................................. 2
WARP AND WEFT KNITTING: .................................................................................................... 2
WARP KNITTING.................................................................................................................. 2
WEFT KNITTING ................................................................................................................... 2
DIFFERENCES IN WARP AND WEFT KNITTING .......................................................................... 2
FAULTS IN WEFT AND WARP KNITTING .................................................................................... 3
WEFT KNITTING FAULTS .................................................................................................... 3
WARP KNITTING FAULTS.................................................................................................... 3
APPLICATIONS: ................................................................................................................... 4
WEFT KNITTING: .............................................................................................................. 4
WARP KNITTING: ............................................................................................................. 4
Warp vs Weft Knitting
Differences, applications and faults
What is knitting?
Knitting is the fabric manufacturing technique by the interloping of yarns. In
the knitting process only one set of yarns is used coming from only one direction,
which might be horizontally (in weft knitting) and vertically (in warp knitting).
A knitted fabric is formed through loops and stitches. The loop is the
fundamental element of all the knitted fabrics. A stitch is the smallest stable unit of all
the knitted fabrics. It is the basic unit consisting of a loop which is held together by
being intermeshed with the previously formed loops. It is formed by interlocking loops
with the help of hooked needles. According to the purpose of fabric the loops are
loosely or closely constructed. As the loops are interlocked in the fabric, it can easily
stretched in any direction even when a low grade yarn having little elasticity is used.
The construction of knitted fabrics is assessed by the no. of stitches or loops per
square inch used.
When the interlocking loops run lengthwise, each row is called a wale that
corresponds to the direction of warp in woven fabrics. When the loops run across the
fabric, each row is called a course that corresponds to the filling or weft in woven
fabrics. A knitted fabric that has more wales will be rigid and stable in width while a
fabric that has more courses will be rigid and stable in length.
Warp and Weft Knitting:
Warp Knitting
Weft Knitting
Weft knitting is the most common type of knitting, it is the process of making a
fabric by forming a series of connected loops in a horizontal or filling-wise direction;
produced on both flat and circular knitting machines.
Differences in Warp and Weft Knitting
1. In weft knitting only one set of yarn is used that form courses along the weft
wise direction of the fabric, while in warp knitting many sets of yarns is used
coming from the warp-wise direction of the fabric.
2. Warp knitting differs from weft knitting , basically in that each needle loops
has its own thread.
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Warp knitting is the process of making a fabric by forming the loops in a
vertical or warp-wise direction; the yarn is prepared as warp on beams with one or
more yarns for each needle. The fabric has a flatter, closer, less elastic knit than weft
knit and is very often run resistant.
3. In warp knitting the needles produce parallel rows of loops simultaneously
that are interlocked in a zigzag pattern, while in weft knitting the needles
produces loops in the widthwise direction of the fabric.
4. In warp knitting the stitches on the face of the fabric appear vertically, but at
a slight angle. While in weft knitting the stitches on the face of fabric appears
vertically straight having v shaped.
5. Warp knits can yield cloth with a dimensional stability almost equal in woven
fabrics, but in weft knits their very low dimensional stability and fabric can be
stretched easily.
6. The production rate of warp knitting is very high than that of weft knitting.
7. Warp knits do not ravel or run and are less susceptible to sagging as
compared to weft knits which are easily susceptible to snagging.
8. In weft knitting the needles move in the cams having tracks in a circular
direction, while in warp knitting the needles are mounted on a needle board
that can only move up and down.
9. In weft knitting the needles moves alternatively while in warp needles moves
simultaneously.
10. Preparation of sectional beams are required for warp knitting whereas in weft
knitting the yarn is directly taken from cones.
Faults in weft and warp knitting
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Weft Knitting Faults
1. Barre: is a fault occur in circular weft knits, which is caused by mixing of yarn,
having different luster or dye affinity, into machine. In this fault fabric will
appear to have horizontal streaks.
2. Birds-eye: caused by un-intentional tucking from malfunctioning needle. Here
usually two small distorted stitches, side by side.
3. Broken color pattern: usually caused by color yarn out of place on frame.
4. Drop stitches: results from malfunctioning needle or jack. Will appears holes or
missing stitches.
5. Hole: caused by broken needle.
6. Missing yarn: occurs in circular knit, which is caused by one end of yarn
missing from feed and machine continuing to run.
7. Needle line: caused by bend needle forming distorted stitches, which are
usually vertical lines.
8. Press-off: results when all or some of the needles on circular knitting fail to
function and the fabric either falls of the machine or design is completely
disrupted or destroyed.
9. Sinker mark: caused when sinker corrodes due to abrasion then sometime
cannot hold a new loop as result sinker mark comes.
10. Oil stain: caused when oil lick through the needle trick then it pass on the
fabrics and make a line.
Warp knitting faults
1. End out: occurs due to knitting machine continuing to run with missing ends.
2. Hole: caused by broken needle.
3. Broken color pattern: usually caused by color yarn out of place.
4. Mixed yarn: results from wrong fiber yarn (or wrong size yarn) placed on warp.
Fabric could appear as thick end or different color if fibers have different
affinity for dye.
5. Runner: usually caused by broken needle and will appear as vertical line.
6. Slub: usually caused by a thick or heavy place in yarn or by lint getting on to
yarn feeds.
7. Straying end: caused when an end of yarn breaks and the loose end strays
and is knit irregularly into another area.
8. Yarn contamination: results from foreign fibers mixing, it remains in the fabric
even after finishing or by mixing of different count yarns.
Applications:
Weft Knitting:
1. Tailored garments, like jackets, suits, or sheath dresses are made from weft
knitting.
2. Interlock knit stitch is wonderful for making T-shirts, turtlenecks, casual skirts,
dresses and childrens wear.
3. Seamless hosiery, knitted in tubular form, is produced by circular knitting
machines.
4. Circular knitting is also used for the production of fabrics used in sports having
high stretch ability and also dimensional stability.
5. Flat knitting is used for knitting collar and cuffs.
6. Sweaters are also made from flat knitting and are joined to sleeves and collar
necks by using special machines.
7. Cut and sewn garments are also made from weft knitting which includes Tshirts and polo shirts.
8. Highly textured fabrics with complicated patterns are made using tuck stitch.
9. Knitted hats and scarves are used in the winter season are made through
weft knitting.
10. Industrially, metal wire is also knitted into a metal fabric for a wide range of
uses including the filter material in cafeterias, catalytic converters for cars and
many other uses.
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usually inner wear like panties, brassieres, camisoles, girdles, sleepwear, hook
& eye tape, etc.
In apparel warp knitting is used for making sportswear lining, track suits, leisure
wear and safety reflective vests.
In household warp knitting is used for making mattress stitch-in fabrics,
furnishing, laundry bags, mosquito nets and aquarium fish nets.
The inner linings and inner sole linings of sports and industrial safety shoes are
made from warp knitting.
Car cushion, head rest lining, sun shades and lining for motorbike helmets are
being made from warp knitting.
For industrial uses PVC/PU backing, production masks, caps and gloves (for
the electronic industry) are also made from warp knitting.
Raschel knitting technique a type of warp knitting is used for making as an
unlined material for coats, jackets, straight skirts and dresses.
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Warp Knitting:
1. Tricot knit a type of warp knitting is used in the making of light weight fabrics
8. Warp knitting is also used for making three-dimensional knitted structures.
9. Fabrics for printing and advertising are also produced from warp knitting.
10. The warp knitting process is also being used for the production of bio-textiles.
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For example, a warp knitted polyester cardiac support device has been
created to attempt to limit the growth of diseased heart by being installed
tightly around the heart.
