Warp knitting is a family of knitting methods in which the yarn zigzags along the length of the fabric, i.e., following adjacent columns ("wales") of knitting, rather than a single row ("course"). Since warp knitting requires that the number of separate strands of yarn ("ends") equals the number of stitches in a row, warp knitting is almost always done by machine.
In warp knitted fabric the loops interlock vertically along the length of the fabric. Warp knits are slightly stretchy and do not ladder. Warp-knitted fabric is made by machine. It is used for swimwear, underwear and geotextiles. Because of the multiple-needle configuration of warp-knitting machines, the warp knit fabrics produced can be very complex and intricate in structure; and they don't fall neatly into groups or categories.
Warp knitting represents the fastest method of producing fabric from yarn. Warp knitting differs from other types of knitting in that each needle loops its own thread. The needles produce parallel rows of loops simultaneously that are interlocked in a zigzag pattern. Fabric is produced in sheet or flat form using one or more sets of warp yarn. The yarns are fed from warp beams to a row of needles extending across the width of the machine.
Tricot Knit :
Tricot fabric is soft, wrinkle resistant & has good drapability. Tricot knits are used for a wide verity of fabric weights & design. It makes light fabric weighting less than 4 ounce/square yard. Some examples of tricot fabric are sleepwear, boluses, dresses etc.
Raschel Knit:
The Raschel knit ranks in importance of production with tricot but it makes varieties of products ranging from laces, power nets for foundation garments, swimwear to carpets. Raschel knitting is done with heavy yarns & usually has a complex lace-like pattern.
Crochet Knit:
This basic stitch is used in hand crochet. This construction is used in a wide variety of fabrics ranging from nets & laces to bed spreads & carpets, various types of edgings or trimmings lace are also produced.
Milanese Knit :
The milanese stitch produces a fabric very similar to tricot. It can be identified by the fine rib on the face & a diagonal pattern on the back. However, milanese fabric is superior to tricot in smoothness, elasticity, regularity of structure & friction resistance.
