Chapter 1

Knitting Technology
Chapter 1
General terms and principles
of knitting technology
1.1 Machine knitting
Knitted structure are progressively

built up by converting newly fed yarn
into new loops in the needle hooks, the
needles then draw these new loop
through the old loop.
Flat knitting machine

Circular knitting
machine
Weft knitting machine

4
Single needle-bar warp

knitting machine
Double needle-bar warp
knitting machine
Warp knitting machine
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needle hook
newly-fed yarn
cast-off/
knock-over
old loop
knitting cycle
1.2 The knitted loop structure
1.3 A course
A course is a predominantly horizontal row of needle loops
(in an upright fabric as knitted) produced by adjacent
needles during the same knitting cycle.
1.3.1 A course length

In weft knitted fabrics, a course of
loops is composed of a single length
of yarn termed a course length.
1.3.2 A pattern row
A pattern row is a horizontal row of
needle loops produced by adjacent
needles in one needle bed.
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1.4 A wale
A wale is a predominantly vertical column of
intermeshed/ needle loops generally produced by
the same needle knitting at successive (not
necessarily all) knitting cycles.
1.5 Stitch density

Stitch density refers to the total number of
loops in a measured area of fabric and not to the
length of yarn in a loop (stitch length).
It is the total number of needle loops in a given
area (such as a square inch, or three square
centimeters).
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1.6 The main features of the

knitting machine
The frame or carcass

The machine control and drive
system
The yarn supply
yarn package
beam
tensioning devices
carriers of guides
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1.6 The main features of the

knitting machine
The knitting system
Take-away mechanism
Quality control system
stop motions
fault detectors
lint removal
automatic oilers
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1.7 The needle
Bearded needle
latch needle
compound needle
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1.8 Fabric draw-off

The fabric loops are always drawn from the
needles on the side remote from their
hooks/.
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1.9 The basic knitting action of a

needle
1. The needle is in the rest position.
2. The loop is cleared from the hook
to a lower position.
3. The new yarn is fed to the needle.
4. The yarn is formed into a
newloop.
5. The hook is closed.
Basic knitting action of a needle
6. The new loop is drawn through

the head of the old loop.
Simultaneously the old loop is
cast off or knocked over.
7. Old loop hangs from the feet of
the fully formed new loop.
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1.10 The bearded needle
1.10.1 The main parts of the bearded needle

1. stem
2. head
3. beard
4. eye/groove
5. shank
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The knitting action of the bearded needle
The knitting action of the bearded needle

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Depending upon the machine, the needles are set

vertically or horizontally. The needle has the disadvantage
of requiring a pressing edge to close the bearded hook and
enclose the new loop. The presser may be in the form of a
bar, blade, or wheel.
Another feature of bearded needle knitting is that

individual loop formation has to be achieved by a loop
forming element. This leads to a more complicated knitting
action but also provides for a more gentle and careful loop
formation.
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1.11 The latch needle
1.11.1 The history and development of

the latch needle
The first latch needle/the tumbler needle

The first latch needle was patented in 1806 but there is
no evidence of its practical use.
The self-acting needle
In 1849, self-acting needle was patented and applied, it
began to challenge the bearded needle.
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1.11.2 The features of the latch needle

1. hook
2. slot/saw cut
3. cheeks/slot walls
4. rivet
5. latch-blade
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1.11.2 The features of the latch needle

6. latch spoon
7. stem
8. butt
9. tail
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1.11.3 The advantages of the latch needle

1.being self-acting or loop-controlled
2. be widely used in weft knitting
3. be ideally suited for use with

computer-controlled electronic
selection devices
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1. The rest position. The head
of the needle hook is level with
the top of the verge of the trick.
The loop formed at the previous
feeder is in the closed hook.
2. Latch opening. As the needle
butt passes up the incline of the
clearing cam, the old loop slides
inside the hook and contacts
the latch, turning and opening it.
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3. Clearing height. When the
needle reaches the top of the
cam, the old loop is cleared
from the hook and latch spoon
onto the stem. At this point
the feed guide plate acts as a
guard to prevent the latch
from closing the empty hook.
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4. Yarn feeding and latch
closing. The needle starts to
descend the stitch cam so
that its latch is below the
verge, with the old loop
moving under it. At this point
the new yarn is fed through a
hole in the feeder guide to
the descending needle hook.
The old loop contacts the
underside of the latch,
causing it to close onto the
hook.
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5. Knocking-over and loop
length formation. As the
head of the needle descends
below the top of the trick,
the old loop slides off the
needle and the new loop is
drawn through it. The
continued descent of the
needle draws the loop length.
The length is determined by
the depth setting of the
stitch cam.
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1.12 The bi-partite compound

needle
Compound needles consist of two separately-controlled
parts the open hook/ and the sliding closing element/
(tongue, latch, piston, plunger).
The tubular pipe needle
The open-stem pusher

type or slide needle
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1.13 A comparison of latch and

compound needles
1.more intricate and expensive to
manufacture
2.The vertical clearing height is not so high
3.When clearing, it does not cause stretching
of needle loops and robbing of yarn from
adjacent sinker loops
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1.13 A comparison of latch and

compound needles
4.it can be producing a larger area inside the
hoot that can accommodate thicker yarns
5.be suitable for knitting fine warp knitted
structures at high speed
6.be employed widely in warp knitting
machines
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1.14 Machine gauge

The pitch/ or distance between one needle and
another, is proportional to the needle gauge or
thickness.
Machine gauge can be calculated by dividing the
total number of needles into the length of the
needle bed. The figure is rounded to the nearest
whole number.
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Knitting Technology

1.1 Machine knitting

Knitted structure are progressively

1.1 Machine knitting

Flat knitting machine

Weft knitting machine

Single needle-bar warp

1.1 Machine knitting

1.2 The knitted loop structure

1.3.1 A course length

1.5 Stitch density

1.6 The main features of the

The frame or carcass

The yarn supply

1.6 The main features of the

The knitting system

Quality control system

1.7 The needle

1.8 Fabric draw-off

1.9 The basic knitting action of a

6. The new loop is drawn through

1.10 The bearded needle

1.10.1 The main parts of the bearded needle

The knitting action of the bearded needle

The knitting action of the bearded needle

Depending upon the machine, the needles are set

Another feature of bearded needle knitting is that

1.11 The latch needle

1.11.1 The history and development of

The first latch needle/the tumbler needle

1.11.2 The features of the latch needle

1.11.2 The features of the latch needle

1.11.3 The advantages of the latch needle

2. be widely used in weft knitting

3. be ideally suited for use with

1.11.3 The advantages of the latch needle

1.11.3 The advantages of the latch needle

1.11.3 The advantages of the latch needle

1.11.3 The advantages of the latch needle

1.12 The bi-partite compound

The open-stem pusher

1.13 A comparison of latch and

1.13 A comparison of latch and

1.14 Machine gauge

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