Cotton fabrics and types of knit

Cotton fabrics and types of knit

 When choosing clothing and other textiles, important selection criteria are not only current needs, price and aesthetic design, but also the fabrics themselves. It is often difficult to know about all the types, because every fabric has different properties, appearance, weight and suitability for use.

Probably the most sought-after is cotton fabric, particularly cotton knit, which is subsequently used to make high-quality and comfortable t-shirts, vests, hats, shirts, underwear, leggings, dresses, skirts, pyjamas, tracksuit bottoms and other products.

Clothing made from this fabric allows free movement, is breathable, doesn’t crease, and highlights the wearer’s assets. In general, it’s a material with outstanding properties, which is why it’s so popular.

Knit is a stretchy fabric, and it's made of cotton, viscose and synthetic fibres, and often supplemented with elastane.

Knits are divided into several types, according to the material type:

• Cotton – soft, flexible, absorbent, with good drape
• Bamboo – fine, absorbent, suitable for allergy sufferers
• Viscose – cooling, emphasises curves
• Mixed – heavier weight, warm

 

Other types of knit you may come across are:

• Single knit
• Double knit
• Interlock
• Ribbing (rib, fine rib, knitted welt)
• French terry

 

Further divisions can be made according to weight, mixtures of artificial fibres, colours, patterns, children’s designs, etc.

It’s also good to know the difference between knit and woven fabric. Knit is made by interweaving individual fibres, which makes the material more stretchy. Woven fabric is produced on a loom, as a set of successive perpendicular threads. The fibres are stretched out, resulting in a less stretchy fabric. This fabric category includes flannel, terry, denim, satin and twill, among others.

Choose any fabric you like. Most importantly, choose the ones which you’ll feel most comfortable in.