Okay so this is another topic that is a wee bit technical, yet most people in the textile industry assume that you know this difference and talk to you with that assumption.
It was similar when I started out and it hasn't changed since.
So here's a quick and easy explanation that will help you understand the difference, useful whether you're sourcing fabric for corporate polos or factory uniform t-shirts.
Woven fabrics
Both woven and knitted fabrics start as threads, or to be more technical, yarn.
When you take, let's say, 10 threads, place them horizontally and then take another 10 threads, place them vertically but criss-cross them over and under the existing 10 threads, it will result in these threads turning into a fabric.
Woven fabric: threads criss-crossed over each other to form a rigid, non-stretch fabric sheet.
And voila, what you've actually done is woven these threads to get a woven fabric. At the heart, that's all a woven fabric is: threads criss-crossed over each other to make fabric.
The tighter you weave, the finer the fabric. The finer your threads, the finer your fabric.
And this is how fabric has been made for thousands of years.
Remember those Egyptian mummies with fabric wrapped around them? Yes, this same type of woven fabric was used then.
Since woven fabrics have the threads tightly criss-crossed against each other, the fabric is generally rigid and doesn't stretch at all.
The fabric is also made in large sheet-like rolls, like a paper roll, that is then cut and used as needed to make shirts, trousers, blazers, coats, etc. by manufacturers like us.
Woven fabrics: quick facts
- ✓ Rigid, no stretch
- ✓ Made as large flat sheet rolls
- ✓ Used for: shirts, trousers, blazers, coats
- ✓ Structure: threads criss-crossed in a grid pattern
Knitted fabrics
Knitted fabrics are a relatively modern invention, although hand knitting has been around for centuries.
The easiest way to understand knitting is to look at a knit basket like the one below.
A knit basket: a single strand looped over and over through the layer below. Fabric knitting works the same way, just with yarn.
You'll be able to see that a single thread has been looped over and over successively through the loops in the layer below to make a tubular fabric.
Knitting used to be something exclusively handmade till the mid-20th century, when knitting machines were developed. This dramatically changed the landscape by making knitting possible with finer and finer yarns, resulting in soft, stretchy fabrics.
Since knitted fabrics generally have lots of gaps between the loops, they naturally have a stretch that is not found in woven fabrics.
This makes knitted fabrics an ideal choice for comfort wear such as t-shirts, hoodies, track pants, etc.
Fun fact: Knitted fabrics are made as huge cylindrical tubes, imagine a sock-like tube but with a diameter of almost 3 to 4 feet, which are then cut and stitched into garments.
Yes, socks are actually knitted. That's why you don't see any seam lines on the sides, just at the end where the tube is closed off.
Knitted fabrics: quick facts
- ✓ Soft and stretchy
- ✓ Made as cylindrical tubes, 3 to 4 ft diameter
- ✓ Used for: t-shirts, hoodies, track pants, socks
- ✓ Structure: single yarn looped through successive layers
Woven vs knitted: side by side
| Property | Woven | Knitted |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Threads criss-crossed in grid | Single yarn looped in layers |
| Stretch | None (rigid) | High stretch |
| Form | Flat sheet rolls | Cylindrical tubes |
| Best for | Shirts, trousers, blazers | T-shirts, hoodies, sportswear |
| Age | Thousands of years old | Modern industrial, mid-20th century |
Well, I hope that gave you a clear idea and an easy way to imagine and understand the difference between these two basic types of fabrics. Cotton pique, a knitted fabric, is what most corporate polos are made from. Poly-cotton blends and dry-fit are also knitted, which is why uniform t-shirts move with you on the factory floor.
Author's note
And keep us in mind when you want to get those products manufactured. Your success drives our success, so we are always on your side to help you succeed.
Happy manufacturing.
Arjun, Anuvavi Apparels, Coimbatore, India