{"id":24650,"date":"2022-12-15T16:48:10","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T21:48:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/?p=24650"},"modified":"2022-12-17T14:48:21","modified_gmt":"2022-12-17T19:48:21","slug":"sewing-stretchy-knits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/sewing-stretchy-knits\/","title":{"rendered":"Sewing With Stretchy Knits"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1.jpg\" alt=\"stretchy knits\" class=\"wp-image-25103 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/800;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1.jpg\" alt=\"stretchy knits\" class=\"wp-image-25103\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Sewing-with-the-Stretchy-Knits-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>For many sewists, working with <a href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/knit-fabric-stretch-test\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stretchy knit fabric<\/a> for the first time can be daunting, but moving forward, many soon learn to love knits because of their\u00a0elasticity and texture. Knits are also wrinkle-resistant and comfortable to wear.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_323456669-copy-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"knit fabrics\" class=\"wp-image-25087 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_323456669-copy-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_323456669-copy-464x650.jpg 464w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_323456669-copy-107x150.jpg 107w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_323456669-copy.jpg 700w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 214px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 214\/300;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_323456669-copy-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"knit fabrics\" class=\"wp-image-25087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_323456669-copy-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_323456669-copy-464x650.jpg 464w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_323456669-copy-107x150.jpg 107w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_323456669-copy.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The word knit is derived from \u201cknot\u201d and it originates from the Dutch word \u201cknutten\u201d. While knitting is the method that uses two or more needles to loop wool or yarn into a series of interconnected loops to produce knit fabrics or garments. It became popular in 1916 when Coco Chanel used knit fabric in her famous suits. Soon thereafter, knits became the fabric of choice for sportswear. Today, knit fabric is popularly used for sweaters, clingy dresses, cashmere turtlenecks, coats, and various other knitwear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what should we keep in mind when we sew using knit fabric? It is important to know that there are many kinds of knits as they come in different stretch, weight, and direction of stretch. All these attributes affect how to sew knits and should be used to determine what kind of project to stitch when using knit fabrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-transform:capitalize\">Woven fabric versus knit fabrics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Woven fabric is made up of at least two separate groups of yarns, called warp and weft while knitted fabric can be made from one yarn only. \u00a0Weaving is interfacing two or more sets of yarns together to form a fabric. \u00a0Knitting is the process of forming a series of interlinking loops in the yarn to form the fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"http:\/\/textilestudycenter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Fabric-Structure.png\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-25094\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"714\" height=\"202\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Fabric-Structure.png\" alt=\"fabric structure\" class=\"wp-image-25094 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Fabric-Structure.png 714w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Fabric-Structure-300x85.png 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Fabric-Structure-500x141.png 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Fabric-Structure-150x42.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 714px) 100vw, 714px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 714px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 714\/202;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"714\" height=\"202\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Fabric-Structure.png\" alt=\"fabric structure\" class=\"wp-image-25094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Fabric-Structure.png 714w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Fabric-Structure-300x85.png 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Fabric-Structure-500x141.png 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Fabric-Structure-150x42.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 714px) 100vw, 714px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Classification of Fabric Structure. From Textile Study Center.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-transform:capitalize\">Warp knits and weft knits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two main types of knit fabrics namely warp and weft knits and the latter is the one commonly used by home sewers. Weft knits are produced by using basic knitting stitches such as knit, purl, tuck or miss. Combining these stitches also results in various knit textures and types. Furthermore, using different yarns, fibers and colors gives us various kinds of knit fabrics. The looseness and tightness of the tension of these stitches also determine the characteristics of the knit fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-transform:capitalize\">Single knits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Single knit fabric (often called single jersey) is a more general term to describe knitted fabrics that are produced by knitting machines with only one set of knitting needles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-transform:capitalize\">Jersey knits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most common knit fabrics used by home sewists is the jersey. It is usually composed of cotton, wool, or synthetic blends and has moderate elasticity. Jerseys are commonly used when stitching pajamas, t-shirts, and hosiery. Wool jersey knits are often found in skirts and dresses. \u00a0And since jerseys are produced by using only the knit stitch, it has a smooth front making them ideal for prints and a textured back with distinct right and wrong sides.\u00a0 Jersey stretches up, down, and across and tends to curl, so managing it can be a bit difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-transform:capitalize\">Rib knits<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-25089 size-large\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_212045911-copy-500x333.jpg\" alt=\"rib knits\" class=\"wp-image-25089 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_212045911-copy-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_212045911-copy-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_212045911-copy-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_212045911-copy.jpg 600w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 500px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 500\/333;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_212045911-copy-500x333.jpg\" alt=\"rib knits\" class=\"wp-image-25089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_212045911-copy-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_212045911-copy-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_212045911-copy-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/shutterstock_212045911-copy.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Example of rib knit fabric<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Rib-knit, on the other hand, is a knit fabric that is ribbed throughout. It can be light to heavyweight and is highly elastic. Great for sweaters, tops, cuffs, and neck bands for jersey t-shirts, it is produced by combining purl and knit stitches. The result is a double-knit fabric with vertical rows of stitches that are joined alternately in the front and back. Rib knit fabrics have excellent shape retention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-transform:capitalize\">Interlock or double knits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Interlock or double knit is usually composed of two layers, combined to produce one fabric since it is composed of two rows of stitches placed directly behind each other. It has more\u00a0limited elasticity or stretch, is moderate to heavyweight, and is ideal for suits, pants, blouses, and tops. Both sides of the interlock knit are smooth, making it more stable than jersey knits so there's often no way to differentiate a right and wrong side. It is also thicker than jersey and is easier to manage to make it quite popular among home sewists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing the unique properties of jersey, rib, and interlock knit fabrics should make sewing with knit fabrics more enjoyable and satisfying. And there are still other types of knit fabrics out there with their own distinct attributes. So prepare your double-needle sewing machines, master a variety of zigzag stitches and you are ready to sew your stretchy knit fabric. Sew on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a refresher, we have done a number of popular articles about sewing with knits ourselves. &nbsp;Including a comprehensive Pinterest feature that you can check out below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-so-sew-easy wp-block-embed-so-sew-easy\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"XfGpvSvOLu\"><a href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/pinterest-working-with-knits\/\">Pinterest feature &#8211; Working with knits<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content lazyload\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Pinterest feature &#8211; Working with knits&#8221; &#8212; So Sew Easy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/pinterest-working-with-knits\/embed\/#?secret=QUEnIUYXps#?secret=XfGpvSvOLu\" data-secret=\"XfGpvSvOLu\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A very popular article of ours has been about <a href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/how-and-where-to-use-knit-stay-tape\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/how-and-where-to-use-knit-stay-tape\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how and where to use Knit Stay Tape<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-so-sew-easy wp-block-embed-so-sew-easy\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"njsUOs3jlg\"><a href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/how-and-where-to-use-knit-stay-tape\/\">How and where to use Knit Stay Tape<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content lazyload\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;How and where to use Knit Stay Tape&#8221; &#8212; So Sew Easy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/how-and-where-to-use-knit-stay-tape\/embed\/#?secret=YQ1etRRcL4#?secret=njsUOs3jlg\" data-secret=\"njsUOs3jlg\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And last, but certainly not least, we did a post on the dramas involved in <a href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/easy-way-to-unpick-knit-fabrics\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/easy-way-to-unpick-knit-fabrics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">unpicking sewing in knit fabrics<\/a>.  We didn't have the ultimate answer on how to do this efficiently so you may want to review the reader comments as they share some useful tips and techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-so-sew-easy wp-block-embed-so-sew-easy\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"lLpJJZjSxy\"><a href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/easy-way-to-unpick-knit-fabrics\/\">Is there an easy way to unpick knit fabrics?<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content lazyload\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Is there an easy way to unpick knit fabrics?&#8221; &#8212; So Sew Easy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/easy-way-to-unpick-knit-fabrics\/embed\/#?secret=DxkcQZR5bh#?secret=lLpJJZjSxy\" data-secret=\"lLpJJZjSxy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<h2>If You'd Like To Support Our Site<\/h2>\r\nIf you want to help us continue to bring you a wide selection of <a href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/free-sewing-patterns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">free sewing patterns<\/a> and projects, please consider buying us a coffee.\u00a0 We'd really, really appreciate it.\r\n\r\n<center><div class=\"ko-fi-button\" data-text=\"Buy me a coffee!\" data-color=\"#ff5f5f\" data-code=\"\" id=\"kofiShortcode507Html\" style=\"float: none; text-align: left;\"><\/div><\/center>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For many sewists, working with stretchy knit fabric for the first time can be daunting, but moving forward, many soon learn to love knits because of their\u00a0elasticity and texture. Knits are also wrinkle-resistant and comfortable to wear. The word knit is derived from \u201cknot\u201d and it originates from the Dutch \u2026 <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/sewing-stretchy-knits\/\"> Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr; <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":309,"featured_media":25103,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wds_primary_category":0},"categories":[160,15,4,108],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24650"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/309"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24650"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24650\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75467,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24650\/revisions\/75467"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24650"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24650"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24650"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}