Knit fabric

Knit fabric is made of loops linked to each other, as in a sweater, only very small. In a woven cloth threads cross at right angles and do not stretch, while loops stretch every way.

That is why knits are comfortable, do not crease and fit the body well. They are knitted from cotton, viscose, wool and synthetics, often with elastane.

Jersey: a thin smooth knit, as in T-shirts. The face shows little braids, the back tiny loops.

Rib knit: knit in ribs, as in the photo above, very stretchy. It goes into cuffs, collars, fitted dresses and tops.

Interlock: two-layered, the same on both sides, denser, and its edge does not curl. Sweatshirt fleece: brushed or looped on the back, warm, for sweatshirts and hoodies.

Find which way the knit stretches most: usually across. Lay the pieces so the greatest stretch goes around the body.

Do not pull the fabric while cutting: it should lie loose. Cut with sharp scissors or a rotary cutter.

Use a jersey or stretch needle: it slips between the loops rather than piercing them. A straight seam on a knit snaps, so sew with a narrow zigzag, a stretch stitch or an overlocker.

Do not pull the knit under the foot, or the seam will ripple. If the fabric still stretches, a walking foot helps.

Wash at 30 °C, synthetic and viscose knits on a gentle cycle. Dry flat: on a hanger knits stretch.

Iron on the wrong side at a low or medium setting, synthetics especially. More on synthetic fibres in «Polyester».