Knitting | Types of Knitting | Classification of weft knitting m/c

Knitting: Knitting is the interlocking of one or more yarns through a series of loops. The length wise columns of stitches, corresponding to the warp in woven cloth, are called WALES; the cross wise rows of stitches, corresponding to the filling in woven cloth, are called COURSES are those in which the courses are composed of a single strand of yarn, while warp knits are those in which the Wales are composed of single strand of yarn. GAUGE corresponds to the yarn in a woven fabric and is defined as the number of needles of yarns in half inches of cloth. The higher the gauge, the more compact and finer is the cloth.

Types of Knitting: Knitting is done by set of connected loops from a series of yarn in warp or weft direction. Knitted fabrics two are divided into two main types. They are-

Warp knitting: In a warp knitted structure each loop in the horizontal direction is made from different thread. Sweater is made by this warp knitting techniques.
Weft knitting: In a weft knitting structure a horizontal row of loops can be made using one thread and the thread runs in the horizontal direction. Most of the knitted fabrics are produced by weft knitting.

Different between warp and weft knitting: Basically warp and weft knitting process are totally different from one to another. Following are the difference of warp and weft knitting.

Warp knitting	Weft knitting
The loops are produced to the length of fabric	The loops are produced to the width of fabric
It is elastic to the length	It is elastic to the width
Elasticity of the warp knitted fabrics is less than weft knitting	Elasticity of the warp knitted fabrics is higher than weft knitting
Its shrinkage properties is less	Its shrinkage properties is higher than warp knitted fabric
Here courses are needed for pattern row	Courses are equal to the pattern
Yarns are supplied from heam	Yarns are supplied from cone