Knitted fabric is flexible and comfortable to wear, and once you can handle its stretchy nature, it can be easy to sew. Knit fabrics are not just the T-shirts we wear; they make beautiful clothes and come in various designs and colors. 

For industry experts, rib knit, fleece, cable fabric, jersey knit, etc., are some types of knitted fabrics. However, if you’re a novice, this blog details the most popular types of knitted fabrics with images for easy identification. With this in mind, you can make the best choice for your clothing.  

 

                                                                                Image source: Unsplash.com

The Common/Popular Types of Knitted Fabrics

Knitted fabrics are excellent for their elasticity, comfortability, and wrinkle-resistant structure, making them applicable in various instances. Below are some of the popular types, images, and applications. 

1. Jersey Knit

 

                                                                                   Image source: Fabknitter

 

Jersey knit is the most common example of knitted fabric, generally made of cotton or wool. It is made from a single yarn continuously looped together, making the fabric stretch without adding elastic fiber during its production. 

• Texture: Soft, elastic, and smooth, with a little sheen, showing a knit design at one end and a purl at the other.
• Material: Made from wool, cotton, and sometimes synthetic fibers like polyester.
• Weight: From lightweight to medium and suitable for various clothes.
• Application: Often used for underwear, loungewear, tops, and T-shirts because it is exceptionally soft, durable, and stretchy. 

2. Rib Knit

 

                                

                                                                                      Image Source: Fabknitter

Rib knit is another type of knitted fabric with distinct vertical ribs formed by alternating purl and knit stitches. This pattern makes the fabric highly elastic with a textured appearance. 

• Texture: It has a ridged surface because of its rib production, making it distinct from sight and feel. 
• Elasticity: Highly stretchy at both the width and length and mostly used for areas of clothes requiring elasticity. 
• Warmth: Rib knit fabrics trap air, offering more warmth compared to flat knit fabrics.
• Application: Used to make tights, collars, socks, waistbands, underwear, etc. 

3. Fleece 

 

                                                                               Image Source: Fabknitter  

Fleece knit is a weft insertion jersey with an additional yarn inserted to hold the loops in each course of the fabric. The yarn may be decorative or functional, providing cover, stability, and comfort. 

• Texture: Soft, breathable, and warm to feel.
• Weight: Ranges from lightweight, heavy, and thick, depending on the type of fleece used.  
• Material: Usually made of cotton, polyester, acrylic, and wool.
• Application: Versatile and used in making garments like fleece jackets, scarves, throw blankets, etc. 

4. Interlock

 

                                                                             Image Source: Amazon.com 

Interlock fabric represents a knitted fabric with a very smooth surface on both ends. It is a variation of double rib construction that is firm yet comfortable to feel. 

• Texture: Interlock knit fabric is the tightest knit with the smoothest surface and nicest feel. 
• Material: Made from both synthetic and natural fibers, cotton is commonly used because it is soft, breathable, comfortable, etc.
• Comfort: It is very soft, absorbent, and firm, making it ideal for activewear.
• Application: Applicable in a wide range of clothing like sportswear, leggings, dresses, etc. 

5. French Terry

 

                                                                                 Image Source: Fabknitter 

The French Terry knit features looping piles on one end of the material while the other is soft, flat, and smooth. It is comfortable and commonly used in the fashion industry. 

• Texture: It has a soft, fuzzy texture that is absorbent and warm.  
• Material: Made from cotton, spandex, and polyester fibers.
• Maintenance: Stretchy, breathable, moisture-wicking, and easy to care for, washing with a machine at low heat.
• Application: Used to make garments like hoodies, joggers, sweatshirts, etc.

6. Purl Knit

 

                                                                                  Image Source: Pinterest

Purl knit is a double-faced reversible knitted fabric made by intermeshed rows of purl and knit stitches that look like loops in the crosswise direction.  

• Texture: Purl knit fabric is flat and does not curl at its end, making it easy to sew. Also, it has excellent stretchability, especially in lengthwise direction for comfort.
• Application: Useful in a range of garments like cardigans, pullovers, children’s wear, heavy sweaters, etc

7. Raschel Knits

 

 

                                                                                   Image Source: Bosforus

Raschel knit is an example of warp-knitted fabric with open and intricate patterns created using a special machine called Raschel. They are not very stretchy and do not tangle, making them durable.

• Texture: It has a lacelike texture and open-space appearance.
• Materials: Made from filament or spun yarns of different weights and types.
• Application: Popular in various fashion and home furniture places.

8. Mesh 

 

 

                                                                               Image Source: Fabknitter

Mesh knit is an evenly open-work fabric with spaces between the yarns, giving it a net-like structure. It is sheer, breathable, and very lightweight, with good stretch and durability. 

• Material: Made from synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester, etc.
• Comfort: Very breathable because of its loose weaves and open space. It provides moderate moisture-wicking and rarely retains heat. 
• Application: Applicable in athletic jerseys, shapewear, workout apparel, shorts, etc.

9. Tricot

                                                                                Image source: IndiaMART

Tricot knit is one of the examples of warp knit fabric and is unique for its closely knitted structure, providing a sleek appearance and soft touch. Manufacturers follow a zigzagged or vertical pattern when making the fabric, which gives it a lengthwise stretch.

• Texture: Popular for its soft touch, stretchy nature, and easy drape.
• Material: Nylon and polyester are predominantly the fibers used in making tricot knit. However, natural and synthetic fibers can also be used.
• Application: Used to make apparel like performance wear and activewear. 

10. Cable Knit

 

                                                                             Image Source: Shutterstock

A cable knit is another type of double-knit fabric with unique but complex crossing layers, forming multiple braids. It has a non-appealing texture but has designs with a decorative twist and rope-like appearance. 

• Material: Made from cotton, polyester blends, or wool.
• Application: Used to make socks, scarves, cardigans, cushions, hats, blankets, etc.  

Takeaway

Detailed above are the various types of knitted fabrics with their images, giving you a pictorial view of what each looks like. These are incredible and versatile textiles that apply to various garments and lifestyles. Do well to make the right choice! 

And talking about the right choice, Fabknitter has several collections of knitted fabrics: Lacoste, Milk Silk, Mesh Knit, Single Jersey, etc, perfect for all clothing types.