Knitting Machine Types

Knitting machine types The knitting industry industry as a whole can ca n be divided into four manufacturing sectors, these are: Fully Fashioned, flat knitting, circular knitting and warp knitting. Within the wool industry  both fully-fashioned and flat knitting is widely used. Circular knitting is limited to certain markets and warp knitting is seldom used.

Fully Fashioned Machines Traditionally these machines produce plain ³classical´ styled wool knitwear by producing  panels that are sha ped to style ³Fashioned´ during knitting. After knitting the front, back and sleeve panels are linked to form the gar ment. Fully Fashioned machines are sometimes referred t o as straight-bar, flat bar, ³Cottons Patent´ or ³Cotton machines´ due to patents that were given to William Cotton way back in the mid 1800¶s. Bearded needles are used which are ar e set into a straight-bar in a long row and the entire bar is reciprocated by rotary cams which causes the knitting action. The knitting yarn is laid acr oss the width of the needles which is simultaneously followed by the sinkers/dividers, sinkers/dividers, which push the yar n firmly against the stem of the needles ready for loop formation. Generally Fully Fashioned machines only have one set of needles and therefore can only  produce plain knit fabric, making it necessary to  produce the welts/cuffs on special ribbing knitting machines. The ribs are held on ³running-on´ bars and are either transferred on to the Fully Fashioned machine by hand or  automatically depending on the age of the machine. The patterning capability of Fully Fashioned machines is limited to plain knit fully fashioned  panels. Machines with stitch transfer and intarsia capabilities can create the well known ³argyle´ styles. The gentle knitting action of these machines allows the use of delicate fine count woollen spun yarns and also enables the machines to run faster where possible giving good knitting efficiency. The gauges of Fully Fashioned machines range from a relatively course 9gg (needles per 1.5 inch) through to a super-fine 33gg.

Flat Knitting Machines

Sometimes

referred to as ³Flatbeds´ or ³V-beds´ ³V-beds´ due to the t he nature and arrangements of the knitting beds where two opposing needle beds are positioned so that the upper ends form an inverted ³V´. Needles slide up and down the beds in slots known as ³tricks´ and in this case the gauge refers to the number of needles per 1 inch.

The carriage or ³cam box´ traverses across the needle beds and selects needles t o be knitted as it reciprocates side s ide to side. The carriage effectively raises a nd lowers the needles on both  beds simultaneously as it passes over them, depending on the desired pattern. Needle bed lengths can vary from 1.0m to 2.2m width and each is designed for a specific task or purpose. What makes these machines so versatile, a part from the virtually unlimited patterning capacity, is that the stitches can be passed from one bed to the other and the beds can be moved linearly in relation to each other. This not only allows panels to be shaped, but it also opens up extensive patterning possibilities using stitch transfer, like those used in ³Aran´ style sweaters. Furthermore parts of t he garment that are normally added during make-up make-up such as pockets, collars, trims, V-necks, V-necks, etc, can now all be knit as an integra l part of the  panel. Advanced technology has now made it possible for complete garments to be knitted on the machine, without the need for any ma king-up. king-up. The technique of complete garment knitting is done in one of two ways; either using an adapted version of a V-bed, or by using a special machine that has four needle beds. Circular

Knitting Machines

There are many types of circular knitting machines which produce long lengths of tubular  fabric and quite often they are manufactured with very specific end uses in mind. Single Jersey Machines Single

Jersey machines are equipped with a single ³cylinder´, about 30 inch dia meter, of  needles that produce plain fabrics (single thickness). Wool production on single jersey machines tends to be limited to 20 gauge or coarser, as these gauges can use two-fold wool yarns which will give spirality-free fabrics. An additional inherent feature of wool single jersey fabrics is that the fabric edges tend to curl c url inwards. This is not a problem whilst the t he fabric is in tubular  form but once cut open can become so if the fabric is not finished correctly. Other single jersey based machines include: Terry loop machines; the basis for fleece fabrics which are produced by knitting two yarns into the same stitch, one ground yarn and one loop yarn. These protruding loops are then  brushed or raised during finishing creating a fleece fabric.

Sliver

knitting machines are single jersey machines that have been adapted to trap a sliver of  staple wool fibre in t o the knit structure. Double

Jersey Machines

Double jersey machines are single jersey machines with a ³dial´ which houses an extra set of needles positioned horizontally horizontally adjacent to the vertical cylinder cylinder needles. This T his extra set of needles allows the pr oduction of fabrics that are twice as thick as single jersey fabrics. Typical examples include interlock based structures for underwear/base layer garments and 1 x 1 rib fabrics fa brics for leggings and outerwear products. Much finer yarns can be used as singles yarns do not present a problem for double jersey knitted fabrics as the ³ double layer´ construction works to cancel out t he residual torque between the face fac e and reverse sides, the net effect being no spirality.

What Is Knitting: Knitting is the process of manufacturing fabric by transforming continuous strands of yarn into a series of interlocking loops, each row of such loops hanging from the one immediately  preceding it. The basic element of knit fabric structure is the loop intermeshed with the loop adjacent to it on both sides and above and below it. Classification

of Knitting:

1. Warp Knitting. 2. Weft Knitting. Warp Knitting: In a warp knitted structure, each loop in the horizontal direction is made from a different thread and the number of threads are used to produce such a fabric is at least equal to the no of loops in a horizontal row. 2. Weft Knitting: In a weft knitted structure, a horizontal row f loop can be made using one thread and the threa ds run in the horizontal direction. 1.

Types of Knitting Machines Knitting machines use latch hooks set into the m achine to produce knit stitches. The placement of these hooks and the size cannot be changed. Knitting machines are primarily differentiated by yarn weights, with some machines able to handle heavier yarns than others. Knitting machines allow you to quickly and efficiently produce a variety of knitted fabrics. Choosing the right machine can be a challenge, and you should make the dec ision based on your own knitting preferences and what you hope to produce.

Standard Bed Models 1.  A standard bed model knitting machine, or a 4.5 millimeter knitting machine, can knit lace weight and and fingering fingering weight yarns. It may also be ab le to handle light light sport or DK weight yarns. These can be electronic or mechanical and may have setting programmed into the machine to produce lace, fair isle and other knitting patterns. This size of knitting machine is ideal ideal if you wish to make fine swea ters, knitted suits, twin sets or knitted lace. lace.

Bulky 9 Millimeter Knitting Machines 2. Bulky weight knitting machines can knit yarns ranging from a sport or DK weight to chunky. The hooks are set every 9 millimeter on this machine, allowing a stitch spacing suitable for heavier yarns and sweater styles. Both computerized and punch card machines are available. You may find used Brother Machines or currently manufactured Silver Reed knitting machines.

Mid Gauge 6.5 Millimeter Machines 3. If you are looking for a machine that provides versatility and will most closely replicate hand knitting, a mid gauge knitting machine is ideal. The hooks are large enough to easily manage worsted weight yarns and some chunkier yarns as well. Yarns as fine as a baby or fingering weight can be knitted with a mid gauge machine, but the gauge will be quite loose.

Brother Knitting Machines 4. For many years, Brother produced several models of knitting machines, including both computerized computerized and punch card options. options. Brother no longer manufa manufa ctures knitting machines; however, you may still be able to find Brother knitting machines second hand. The Brother KH970 4.5 millimeter knitting machine was the most popular on the market in the United States for many years, featuring featuring more than than 600 built -in lace, fair isle and weaving patterns.

Silver Reed Brand 5. Silver Reed offers 4.5 millimeter, 6.5 millimeter, 9 millimeter and 3.7 millimeter knitting machines. Computer  Computer interfaced interfaced and punch card driven machines are available. Be sure that computer driven machines are compatible with your computer, especially if buying a used knitting machine. Silver Reed produces both metal and plastic knitting machines in a variety of price ranges and the only bulky knitting machine available for home machine knitters.

rtisan  A rtisan

Knitting

6.  Artisan offers both standard bed and mid gauge knitting machines for the home market. The Artisan GE63-70 mid gauge machine handles handles sport through heavy heavy w orsted weight yarns. It was first designed for commercial use, but is an excellent choice for the home machine knitter. This machine is an especially good choice for ribbing, fisherman's rib and similar patterns, and it includes its own stand.