Knitting is a method of manipulating yarn to create a fabric or textile. It is used to make a variety of garments, and the fabric can be made by hand or machine. The knitting process involves continuously interlacing or knotting a series of yarn loops using needles. This creates a sheet of material that is two-dimensional, unlike woven fabric, where the yarns run straight or parallel.
The symmetrical loop of the yarn makes the resulting fabric elastic and stretchy, making knitwear a popular choice for winter clothing. There are two basic types of knit fabrics: weft or fill fabrics, including plain, ribbed, purl, pattern and double knit; and warp knit fabrics, including tricot, raschel and milanese. Jersey variations include double knit jerseys, jacquard sweaters and interlock jerseys and clocque jersey. Plain fabrics have a flat surface with short horizontal loops visible on the back.
Basic knit stitches include garter stitch and purl stitch. Different ways of knitting can produce different types of garments, such as Aran fabric which produces warm and bulky clothing. Knitting can be done by hand or using a knitting machine which automates the process of passing the yarns through the loops to create stitches. Knitted fabric spread all over the world and became popular in Europe, especially in colder areas where heavy knitwear provided much-needed warmth.
Other styles include lever knitting, Portuguese weave and Shetland weave. Flatfill knit fabrics can be molded using a process called modeling. It is believed that knitting originated in the Middle East in the 5th century and soon after traveled to Europe with wool merchants. Knitting is an accessible and functional craft that can produce a wide variety of final products.
Socks, sweaters, scarves, gloves and hats are common garments that lend themselves well to knitting. It is also a very versatile vessel that can produce a wide variety of final products. What is knitting? Knitting is a kind of fiber craft in which a yarn of yarn is woven into a series of loops to create fabric.
