Knitting:

" The process of forming open work fabric by tying yarns when they cross one another, interlocking a series of loops is called Knitting "

Knitted Fabrics:

These are made by interlocking of series of loops made from one or more yarns, with each row of loops caught into the preceding row. Hand Knitting probably originated from among the nomads of the Arabian Desert in about 1000 BC and spread from Egypt to Spain, France and Italy. By the later middle ages, knitting guilds were established in Paris and Florence. Heavily cabled and knotted fabrics, embroidered with brightly colored patterns were produced by Austria and Germany. Several Dutch knitters went to Denmark to teach Danish women the Dutch skills. Later in 1589, with invention of the Knitting Machine, the craft of hand knitting became less important. Of course, the production of yarns for hand knitting has remained an important branch of the Textile industry till the present day.

The Frame Knitting machine allowed production of a complete row of loops at one time. And it is from this simple device that the modern Knitting industry, with its highly sophisticated machinery has grown.

Knitting Machines:

The basic element of all knitting machines is the needle. The two main needle types are

The 'bearded' spring needle invented in about 1589.

Latch needle, invented in 1847.

Bearded needle
This is made from a thin wire and has one end bent, forming an operating handle. The other end is drawn out and bent over, forming a long flexible tipped hook, resembling a beard.

Warp Knitting

The scope of Warp Knitting has been extended by the development of procedures for laying in non-knitted threads for color, density and texture effects (or inlaying), although such threads may also be an essential part of the structure. For example in the form called 'zigzagging across several pillars,' the ground of most of Rachel fabrics, the front bar makes crochet chains, or 'pillars', which are connected by zigzag inlays.

Co-We-Nit Warp Knitting

This is an extension of the warp knitting machine, producing fabrics with the properties of both woven and knitted fabrics.

Knitted Fabrics

These are made by interlocking of series of loops made from one or more yarns, with each row of loops caught into the preceding row. Hand Knitting probably originated from among the nomads of the Arabian Desert in about 1000 BC and spread from Egypt to Spain, France and Italy. By the later Middle ages, knitting guilds were established in Paris and Florence. Heavily cabled and knotted fabrics, embroidered with brightly colored patterns were produced by Austria and Germany. Several Dutch knitters went to Denmark to teach Danish women the Dutch skills. Later in 1589, with invention of the Knitting Machine, the craft of hand knitting became less important. Of course, the production of yarns for hand knitting has remained an important branch of the Textile industry till the present day.

The Frame Knitting machine allowed production of a complete row of loops at one time. And it is from this simple device that the modern Knitting industry, with its highly sophisticated machinery has grown.