A new interlock-based knitting structure exhibits more strength on width and length compared with normal structure, because of additional drawn yarns between loops, reveals N. Hanhadjaeva.

Textile fabrics can be produced directly from webs of fibres by bonding, fusing or interlocking to make nonwoven fabrics and felts, but their physical properties tend to restrict their potential end-usage. The mechanical manipulation of yarn into fabric is the most versatile method of manufacturing textile fabrics for a wide range of end-uses.

There are three principal methods of mechanically manipulating yarn into textile fabrics: Interweaving, intertwining and interlooping. All three methods have evolved from hand-manipulated techniques through their application on primitive frames into sophisticated manufacturing operations on automated machinery.

1. Interweaving is the intersection of two sets of straight threads, warp and weft, which cross and interweave at right angles to each other. Weaving is by far the oldest and most common method of producing continuous lengths of straight-edged fabric.
2. Intertwining and twisting includes a number of techniques such as braiding and knotting; where threads are made to intertwine with each other at right angles or some other angle. These techniques tend to produce special constructions whose uses are limited to very specific purposes.
3. Interlooping consists of forming yarn(s) into loops, each of which is typically released only after a succeeding loop has been formed and intermeshed with it so that a secure ground loop structure is achieved. The loops are also held together by the yarn passing from one to the next.

Knitting is the most common method of interlooping and is second only to weaving as a method of manufacturing textile products. It is estimated that over 7 million tonnes of knitted goods are produced annually throughout the world. Although the unique capability of knitting to manufacture shaped and form-fitting articles has been utilised for centuries, modern technology has enabled knitted constructions in shaped and unshaped fabric form to expand into a wide range of apparel, domestic and industrial end-uses.

Knitted structures are progressively built-up from row after row of intermeshed loops. The newly-fed yarn is converted into a new loop in each needle hook. The needle then draws the new loop head first through the old (fabric) loop, which it has retained from the previous knitting cycle. The needles, at the same time, release (cast-off or knock-over) the old loops, so that they hang suspended by their heads from the feet of the new loops whose heads are still held in the hooks of the needles.

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About the Author

Ms. Nilufar Hanhadjaeva is the Head of the Department "Knitting Technology and Design" in Tashkent Institute of Textile and light Industry (Uzbekistan).