The difference between knitted fabrics and woven fabrics lies in their distinct characteristics—such as processing techniques, fabric structure, fabric properties, and end-use applications—due to the differences in their weaving methods. Below is a comparison of these aspects.
(A) Fabric Construction: (1) Knitted Fabrics: These are fabrics formed by bending yarns into loops in a sequential manner and interlocking these loops with each other. During the loop-forming process, new yarns are created; these loops can be arranged either horizontally or vertically. Knitting performed horizontally is called weft knitting, while knitting performed vertically is called warp knitting. (2) Woven Fabrics: These are fabrics made by interlacing two or more sets of yarns that are arranged perpendicularly to each other at a 90-degree angle. The longitudinal yarns are referred to as warp yarns, and the transverse yarns are referred to as weft yarns.
(B) The basic units of fabric structure: (1) Knitted fabrics: A loop is the smallest basic unit of a knitted fabric; each loop consists of a loop stitch and an elongated yarn forming a spatial curve. (2) Woven fabrics: Each intersection between the warp and weft threads is called a weave point, which is the smallest basic unit of a woven fabric.
(C) Characteristics of Fabric Structures: (1) Knitted Fabrics: Since knitted fabrics are composed of yarns that are bent in space, with each loop formed by a single yarn, when a knitted fabric is subjected to external tension—such as longitudinal tension—the curved portions of the loops undergo deformation. As a result, the height of the loops increases while their width decreases. Conversely, if the tension is applied laterally, the opposite effect occurs: the height and width of the loops can clearly interconvert under different tension conditions. Consequently, knitted fabrics exhibit a relatively high elongation rate. When woven fabrics are subjected to external tension—such as longitudinal stretching—the bending and degree of bending of the fabric, as well as the tension in the warp and weft yarns and their mutual interaction, along with the yarn stiffness associated with the fabric, all play a role. Under longitudinal tension, the tension on the bent warp yarns decreases, while the tension on the bent weft yarns increases. For example, during longitudinal stretching, the warp yarns eventually become completely straight, causing the fabric to simultaneously contract laterally. When woven fabrics are stretched horizontally under external tension, the tension on the weft yarns increases, reducing their degree of bending, while the degree of bending in the warp yarns increases. For instance, during horizontal stretching, the weft yarns eventually become completely straight, causing the fabric to contract longitudinally. Unlike knitted fabrics, in woven fabrics, the warp and weft yarns do not interconvert.
(D) Characteristics of Fabric Structures: (1) Knitted fabrics: These fabrics can stretch in all directions and have good elasticity. This is because knitted fabrics are formed by looped yarns, giving them high breathability and a loose, soft hand feel. (2) Woven fabrics: Since the warp and weft yarns in woven fabrics do not stretch or contract significantly and do not undergo interchanging movements, these fabrics tend to be relatively compact and firm.
(E) Physical and Mechanical Properties of Fabrics: (1) Knitted Fabrics: The mechanical and physical properties of knitted fabrics include longitudinal density, transverse density, grams per square meter, elongation, elasticity, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, curling tendency, thickness, pilling resistance, shrinkage rate, coverage, and bulk density. (2) Woven Fabrics: The physical and mechanical properties of woven fabrics include warp and weft yarn densities, fabric edges, front and back sides, recovery direction, and fabric coverage.