Knitted fabric is a type of textile that is made by interlocking loops of yarns or threads. Unlike woven fabric, which is made by crossing two sets of threads at right angles, knitted fabric is more flexible and can be easily shaped into different forms. Knitted fabric is also more elastic than woven fabric, which makes it ideal for garments that need to stretch and fit the body, such as socks, hats, sweaters, and underwear.

There are two main types of knitted fabric: weft-knit and warp-knit. Weft-knit fabric is made by looping one continuous yarn back and forth across a row of needles. This is the most common type of knitting and can be done by hand or by machine. Weft-knit fabric can be easily unraveled if one loop is broken or cut. Warp-knit fabric is made by looping several yarns along the length of a set of needles. This type of knitting can only be done by machine and is more resistant to runs and tears. Warp-knit fabric is often used for lingerie, lace, and netting.

Knitted fabric has many advantages over woven fabric. It can be more breathable, lightweight, soft, and comfortable. It can also create complex patterns and textures, such as ribbing, cables, lace, and jacquard. Knitted fabric can also be recycled and reused more easily than woven fabric, as it can be unraveled and re-knitted into new items. However, knitted fabric also has some disadvantages. It can be more prone to shrinking, pilling, snagging, and stretching out of shape. It can also be more difficult to sew and hem than woven fabric.

Knitted fabric is widely used in the fashion industry for various types of clothing and accessories. Some examples of knitted garments are T-shirts, hoodies, cardigans, leggings, scarves, gloves, and socks. Knitted fabric can also be used for home textiles, such as blankets, pillows, rugs, and curtains. Knitted fabric can be made from different types of fibers, such as cotton, wool, silk, polyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon, and spandex. The choice of fiber affects the properties and quality of the knitted fabric.

Knitted fabric is a versatile and flexible textile that has many applications and benefits. It is one of the oldest forms of textile production and has evolved over time to meet the changing needs and preferences of consumers. Knitted fabric is a creative and expressive medium that can showcase different styles and designs.

One of the most important factors that affect the quality and appearance of knitted fabric is the gauge, which is the number of stitches per inch or per centimeter. The gauge determines how tight or loose the fabric is and how much yarn is needed to make it. A higher gauge means a finer fabric with more stitches and less yarn, while a lower gauge means a coarser fabric with fewer stitches and more yarn. The gauge also affects the weight, drape, and warmth of the fabric. A higher gauge fabric is usually lighter, smoother, and cooler, while a lower gauge fabric is usually heavier, bulkier, and warmer.

Another factor that affects the quality and appearance of knitted fabric is the stitch, which is the basic unit of knitting. There are many types of stitches that can create different effects and patterns on the fabric. The most basic stitch is the knit stitch, which creates a smooth and flat surface on the right side of the fabric and a bumpy surface on the wrong side. The opposite of the knit stitch is the purl stitch, which creates a bumpy surface on the right side and a smooth surface on the wrong side. By combining knit and purl stitches in different ways, various textures and designs can be created, such as stockinette, garter, ribbing, moss, seed, and basketweave.

A more advanced technique of knitting is to manipulate the loops of yarn in different ways to create more complex patterns and shapes. This can be done by increasing or decreasing the number of stitches in a row, by crossing or twisting the stitches over each other, by dropping or picking up stitches along the way, or by using multiple colors of yarn. Some examples of these techniques are cables, lace, fair isle, intarsia, brioche, entrelac, and mosaic.