Glossary

Technical terms related to knitting

You want to quickly understand what terms like Jacquard, intarsia, fully fashioned, and 3D knit mean. In our glossary, we explain key terms from fashion knit and tech knit in a clear and practical way. Whether it’s pattern techniques, knitting styles, materials, or construction, you’ll find concise definitions and how they apply here. If you’d like to delve deeper, we’d be happy to advise you personally.

Show technical terms

Stacked knitted fabric pieces in blue and black.

Looking things up made easy

Glossary from A to Z

Intarsia: A technique for creating vibrant multicolored patterns on single-color knits (e.g., Argyle), also known as “intarsia” in woodworking.

Jacquard pattern: A knitting technique for multi-surface knits that allows for the creation of complex patterns (named after its inventor, Joseph-Marie Jacquard).

Weft-insertion technique: A specialized technique in which threads are simply inserted. Result: Lateral elasticity is eliminated, and the finished product resembles a woven fabric.

Double-faced: A knitted fabric in which the front and back are made from two separate sets of threads. As a result, the two sides can be different colors and/or made from different fiber materials.

Felted knits: Knitted textiles whose surface is intentionally felted through a process of fulling, so that the original weave is barely recognizable.

Pattern technique: The so-called color-pattern technique is a pattern effect created by using different colors in sections with knit and purl stitches.

Textural patterns: A variety of surface textures can be created using different knitting techniques (e.g., Aran).

Braids: Special structural patterns that resemble braids.

Interlock: A knitting technique in which two layers of fabric are knitted together.

Weave pattern: see weft technique

Applications: Decorative elements of various types and sizes that are incorporated into the knitted fabric, including raised patterns, bulges, fringes, bows, as well as knitted trims (ribbons, collars, edgings, etc.).

Gauge: A unit of measurement used to indicate the number of stitches per inch; it indicates the fineness of the knit fabric. We produce knit fabrics ranging from 3 to 15 gauge.

Stoll and Shima Seiki machines: These are modern, multi-system, computer-controlled flat knitting machines from the two largest and best-known manufacturers in the world. Their flat knitting machines offer a wide variety of patterns.

Fully-fashioned: The most common method in knitting. This process produces garments that are knitted directly into their final shape and finished without any cut edges. Edges are created by decreasing or increasing stitches, thereby eliminating waste.

Knit and Wear/Whole Garment: The knitted garment (e.g., a sweater) is knitted entirely in one piece and comes out of the machine (almost) finished. This state-of-the-art manufacturing technique requires extensive development and programming. It is suitable for high production volumes.

Cut-and-sew: A widely used method of garment production. In this process, knit fabric is cut like woven fabric and then sewn together. This technique is particularly suitable for small production runs.

3D Knit: The knitted piece (e.g., shoe upper, office furniture, clothing) is knitted entirely in one piece—similar to the Knit and Wear technique—and comes out of the machine (almost) finished. The difference: In just one step, three-dimensional bulges, shapes, and textures can be knitted without the need for additional seams or finishing. This technique is used in both technical and fashion applications.

Bi-elastic textiles: Fabrics that are elastic in both the crosswise and lengthwise directions.

Mono-elastic textiles: Fabrics that are elastic either in the crosswise or lengthwise direction.

Mesh fabrics: Fabrics featuring woven-in holes of various sizes, resulting in a mesh-like texture. They are often used in office furniture.

Spacer knits: Fabrics with a 3D structure. This structure is created by two separate fabric layers connected by stiff spacer threads. For this reason, spacer knits are also called 3D textiles.

3D-knitted shoe uppers: Shoe uppers knitted totheir final shape, featuring just a single seam at the sole.

Upholstery effects: A special effect that gives the knit fabric a three-dimensional appearance—either all over or just in certain areas, depending on preference.

Transparency: A fabric surface that is both transparent and durable, achieved through the use of transparent monofilament threads.

Conductive knits: Special “smart” knits made from conductive materials with highly flexible and versatile knit structures. These are increasingly being used in the automotive and machinery industries.

Monofilament: Also known as monofilament or wire. It refers to a yarn consisting of a single filament, which typically has a diameter of 0.1 mm or greater and can theoretically be infinitely long. When cut to a specific length, it is also referred to as “bristles.”

Polyamide: A synthetic raw material with excellent properties (stable, tear-resistant, and wear-resistant) and a wide range of processing options. This allows polyamide fibers to be endowed with a variety of properties. Well-known examples include nylon, Kevlar, Perlon, and Antron.

Optical fiber: Anextremely thin fiber made from glass, which is produced from molten glass and processed in a variety of ways.

Wire: A metal formed into a long, thin, and flexible shape. The most common metals used for this purpose are iron, copper, brass, aluminum, silver, gold, and stainless steel, as well as a wide variety of copper alloys. Magnesium can also be processed into wire (e.g., for the automotive or aerospace industries).

Polyester: A synthetic, petroleum-based fiber produced through a melt-spinning process, which can have varying degrees of fineness depending on the manufacturing process. Due to its extremely small pores, polyester is very dense, making it a popular material for water- or stain-resistant clothing.

Polypropylene: Like polyester, polypropylene is a thermoplastic. It is characterized primarily by its low density, abrasion resistance, and light weight. It also repels water and wicks away body fluids.

Binding thread: Commonly used in traditional garment construction. These threads, which are usually made of polyester, are threaded through the buttonhole to provide additional stability and reinforcement. They can also be knitted into the fabric.