What You Should Know About Knits

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Sunday, June 21st, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

When choosing a fabric, there are many different types of knits to choose from. Most any fabric that is stretchy is considered a knit fabric. But there are specific types of knit fabrics that are used to make certain types of items. The best way to control the knit size while knitting is through the knitting needles used and by yarn size.

There are many different ways to achieve a knit fabric, and an experienced knitter will know how to make many different knit styles with her or his knitting needles. Some common knits are: the double knit, the sweatshirt knit, the jersey knit, ribbing, the spandex knit, the sweater knit, the interlock knit, the velour and velvet knit, and the fleece knit. The double knit fabric is a heavy to medium weight, and is generally used for designs such as pants and dresses. The sweatshirt knit is generally used for clothing styles that have a sporty design.

The jersey knit is a light to medium weight fabric and has ribs on one side, and horizontal lines on the other. Jersey knit fabrics are used for many different styles, such as dresses, skirts, sheets and more. Ribbing is a tough fabric that is generally only used for cuffs and collars. A spandex knit is a very small knit, and is used when a lot of stretch is needed, such as in bathing suits. A sweater knit can vary from being the heaviest weight, to one of the lightest, depending on the yarn used.

An interlock knit is a light to medium weight, and has a light ribbing on both sides. This knit is used for anything from dresses to sleepwear. The velour knit is a shiny, stretchy fabric that can be used for anything from sweatpants to dress tops. A fleece knit is a bulky, soft fabric, usually used for outdoor garments or blankets.

Most of these knits can be made through knitting. Some of the more intricate patterns may require the use of a knitting machine; however, you might be surprised at what you can do with just a pair of knitting needles. There is a pretty easy formula to follow when creating a knit. The bigger the knitting needles, the bigger the holes will be, and the bulkier the yarn, the bigger the pattern. So for a small, lightweight fabric, a knitter would use lightweight, thin yarn and small needles. There are many different knitting books that outline the procedures for creating the different knit styles. There are also books that cover the same topics for crocheting, if someone prefers that method of knitting. Of course, a hand knit fabric is never going to look the same as a machine knitted one; however, many people appreciate the time and thoughtfulness it takes for someone to create something by hand for them. It is not necessary to create garments that look store-bought.

So now you know a little more about knits and how to knit them. It may surprise you to find out how many different fabrics can be knitted. If you are part of a knitting club, then the members can guide you towards better knitting. However, if you don’t have a club around, studying from the knitting books available will help tremendously towards improving your skills.

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