Woven and Knit - What are the main differences?

Differences between woven and knit fabrics

Present since the stone age, fabrics had about 100.000 years to develop according to our needs. This is why today we have warm and cold weather clothes, work and gym clothes, sleeping and swimming clothes. Tents, umbrellas and windbreaker jackets are made of one fabric, and curtains, pillowcases and tablecloths of another. In the modern world there is an abundance of different fabrics made of natural and artificial materials, each of them holding different properties and serving different purposes.

Alas, why are some shirts more stretchable than others? Why do some dresses have that edge that keeps curling up? If you take a close look into the threads that make up your clothes, you will get the answer to this question. Threads reveal the main difference between two types of fabric – woven and knit.

Clear and firmly woven lines

The threads inside a woven fabric are divided into warp and weft, and are interlaced in different shapes: canvas, atlas, twill etc. Wovens, unlike knits, must have sewn-in edges that will keep them from falling apart. The most widely known examples of these fabrics are denim, muslin, velvet, flannel and chiffon – known for their easy manoeuvrability.

Unlike knits which are used in clothes that adhere to the body, wovens are firm, non-stretchable fabrics that maintain their shape. This makes them ideal for suits, shirts, jackets and home textile. You will recognize these clothes by their buttons, zippers, snap buttons and other additions that are used to facilitate their use.

In other words, if you are looking for clear lines and bold silhouettes, choose clothes made of woven fabrics.

Knit fabrics – eternal symbols of comfortability

If you have ever seen your mother or grandmother knit, you will know how knit fabrics are made – one thread that is interlaced, resulting in little loops that form a braid pattern. The structure of these loops is responsible for the knits’ main characteristic – stretchability. Have you ever seen a knit piece of clothing on a hanger in a store? We hope not, because this can result in over-stretching, and in the end the fabric is deformed.

Besides those warm, knit woollen sweaters, knit pattern is also found in textiles such as fleece, combed polyester, interlock and jersey cotton. Due to their stretchability, these textiles are ideal for underwear, shirts, leggings, hats, socks, pullovers and cardigans, and we especially like them because they don’t wrinkle as easily as wovens.

When should you choose each fabric?

When will you choose a piece of clothing made of woven fabric, and when will it be knit? It all depends on their purpose. We will hardly do sports in stiff denim pants, just like we won’t use bed linen that is made of stretchable interlock that will separate from the bedding.

The dress we plan on wearing for the entire day, first at work and later when having coffee with friends, would probably be quite wrinkled if it were made of woven fabric, while with knits you won’t even see the difference. Choose the fabric that will suit your wishes, but keep in mind that you need to follow care instructions carefully. This way your favourite pieces of clothing will be well-kept for a long time.

Choose the fabric that will suit your needs, and then come up with a creative and unique design. We will make sure it is transferred onto the fabric perfectly. ☺