Skip to main content Skip to footer 
Whenever you go out to purchase a fabric, whether it is to make clothes, decorate your home or to make crafts, you need to know what you are actually purchasing. Knit and woven are the terms that describe the way the fabric is made and each of them has its unique feel, purpose, and advantages.
This guide will take you through all you should know about knit and woven fabrics to enable you to make the right decisions based on your project, what is comfortable to you and what you need to suit your lifestyle.
What Is Knit Fabric?
Knit fabric is created by interloping yarns the same way a sweater can be hand knit or using knitting machines. The woven looped pattern renders the material stretchy, soft and elastic. Knit fabric stretches with your body and it is more forgiving since the loops allow the fabric to stretch and shrink. That is the reason it is so prevalent in informal wear. Warp knit fabric will be located in stretchy t-shirts, leggings, underwear and comfortable sweaters/athletic wear.
It is also breathable and in most of the cases, it is lightweight and this makes it suitable to be worn as a layer or in a warmer weather. When you happen to be the kind of person who is comfortable, flexible and can move freely then knit fabric is your favorite.
Knit fabrics are usable to the novice home sewer. It would fold up on the edges when cut, but it is elastic in nature and could bend to suit your body shape.
Knits fabric come in the following types:
- Weft knit: It is made using horizontal loops; this is the most popular type that is applied to jersey, ribbing, and casual wear.
- Warp knit: This is constructed using the vertical loops; more stable and applied in lace, tricot and industrial textiles.
What Is Woven Fabric?
The structure of textie woven fabric consists of interlacing two groups of yarn, one of which runs parallel (warp threads) with the other (weft threads) across it, normally using a loom. This traditional crisscross construction gives a very strong, non-stretchy fabric that retains its shape.
Consider woven fabrics as the ones that you will go to when you need structured garments and when you want durable textiles. Woven garments include denim jeans, crisp dress shirts, tailored trousers, suits and upholstery fabric. They are perfect in things that require stability such as those that are expected to maintain their shape and endure wear and tear.
The most common types of woven fabrics include:
- Plain weave: simple over-under weave; hard wearing and strong.
- Twill: pattern that is diagonal (e.g. denim); wrinkle free and hides printing stains.
- Satin: smooth and shiny; perfect to wear in the evening or to wear dresses that are draped.
Knit vs Woven: Side-by-Side Comparison
Before you make any decisions on the style of clothing to work on or to purchase, you need to know what are the main differences between knit and woven fabrics so that you can make the right decisions in fashion, sewing, and textile choice; here is the side by side comparison to assist you in the decisions process.
| Feature | Knit Fabric | Woven Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Loops of the yarn that are interloped | Weaves that are interwoven |
| Stretch | Dense, stretchy and elastic by nature | Not stretchy, unless when combined with spandex |
| Breathability | Highly breathable | Changes (certain patterns are thick) |
| Drape | light, loose, fits on the body | Crisp, stays poised |
| Fraying | Does not wear out too easily | Unless edges are finished, they frays |
| Sewing Difficulty | The curl on ends, must stretch stitch it | Less volatile, easier to cut, cheap to finished by edge finishing |
| Common Uses | T-shirts, legging, jersey, socks | Shirts, jeans, blazers, ornaments |
How to Tell If a Fabric Is Knit or Woven
When you go shopping or browsing through fabric swatches, you often cannot tell which one is which. Some of the quick tests that you can do to know the types of fabrics include the following:
Stretch Test
In order to distinguish between knit and textile woven fabric, simply pull the material along its length (side to side).
- Knit fabric: You will find that there is much stretch. This is owing to the fact that knit materials are constructed using one yarn that is looped together forming elasticity without necessarily using spandex or elastane. The loops will naturally make the fabric stretch and go back to its shape.
- Woven fabric: On the contrary, woven fabrics are made up of interlacement of two categories of yarns; warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) which makes it have a low amount of stretch. The fabric is going to be stiff and hardly stretch unless added some elastic fibers such as spandex or elastane.
Edge Test
Looking at the raw edge of a piece of fabric can tell you a lot on the type of construction. Just cut or look at the raw side.
- Knit fabric: This material curls at the edges, particularly, along the width. This curling is as a result of tension that has been accumulated in the looped cotton yarns, which attempt to get their original shape. In contrast to the woven fabrics, regular knits do not fray, unless they are loosely sewed or somehow damaged.
- Woven fabric: These fabrics can unravel or fray on the edges as well as on the individual thread. This is because; the cotton yarns are not looped but rather intertwined and when not fastened they separate. To prevent damage and to maintain shape woven fabrics must be finished by processes such as overlocking or hemming.
Visual Test
Put the cloth near your eyes or use a magnifying glass and see how the cloth looks in terms of surface texture and various types of patterns.
- Knit fabric: You will find small, even loops which resemble hand-knitted material. Such loops create a uniform, interconnected look, which can be termed as the small-sized “V” shapes when looked at face-on. This twisted shape makes the fabric look characteristic in its stretch and softness.
- Woven fabric: The design will have a clear crisscross pattern, whereby the threads will be over and under one another in a right angle. The close intertwining causes woven fabrics to be less bendable but more wear resistant. The visual texture can differ slightly, according to the type of weave (e.g. plain, twill, satin).
When to Use Knit vs Woven
Choosing the right fabric is one of the most important elements of any successful sewing or designing venture. Fabric choice beyond aesthetics influences the fit, the movement and the wearability of the garment. Creating a wardrobe classic, introducing a product line, or working on interior textiles, the most effective application of knit and woven materials is the key to creating a piece that is useful and marvelous.
When to Choose Knit Fabric
- Your comfort is your first priority: Knit fabrics are comfortable and they are also very flexible, thus, making them the most comfortable piece of clothing to wear throughout the day. Unlike woven fabrics, knits are not stiff, uncomfortable or constrictive to the body but flow with its ridges and valleys and eases off pressure points.
This qualifies them as being perfect for loungewear, sleepwear, and casual wear where the fabric has to be soft and the wearer needs freedom of movement. - You prefer a body snug fit: The special knit construction enables knit materials to stretch and relax to achieve a body hugging yet relatively airy fit. Knits however, unlike wovens, adhere to curves naturally, thus they are ideal in making form-fitting outfits like leggings, fitted tees and body-con dresses.
- You are stitching summer-clothes or porous ones: Most knit fabrics, in particular, lightweight jersey and mesh knits, are very porous in their open, airy structure. This enables it to release heat and winds to flow so that the wearer is not hot during hot weather.
They are great tops to wear in the summer, airy dresses and athletic wear. Other natural fibers such as cotton jersey are also quite absorbent and hence are a practical option in humid climates or in highly active wear. - You are an amateur, and desire easy stuff: The knits are novice friendly as they do not have to be measured accurately as compared to wovens which have to be measured perfectly to fit. A seam can be a bit out and the elasticity of the fabric is able to compensate.
Nonetheless, there are certain special skills involved in knit sewing, namely, avoiding snags with a ballpoint needle, a stretch stitch (zigzag or lightning stitch) to keep the knit flexible, and stabilizing the seams at stress points (shoulders or necklines) so they will not stretch out with time.
When to Choose Woven Fabric
- You require structure and sharp lines: Woven fabrics are stable by their very nature and keep their shape, thus they are the most suitable fabric to use in tailored and structured garments.
In contrast to knits, which are softly draping, wovens give crisp figures, which are necessary to blazers, dress pants and A-line skirts. They can also keep pleats, tucks as well as sharp creases looking wonderful to give them a polished and professional appearance. - It must be durable: The woven fabrics are more durable than knits because they are woven out of many threads that interlace each other at a right angle. This qualifies them to handle high-stress products such as jeans, work wears and upholstery.
The heavyweight wovens including denim, canvas, and twill can resist washing, friction, and intensive use, and they remain in integrity after repeated washing, friction, and heavy usage. - You prefer clean and smooth endings: Woven cloths press and top stitch a lot easier giving crisp, professional looking seams and hems. They take creases and can be detailed exactly using cuffs, collars and structured pockets.
Woven edges can be random but techniques such as serging, French seams or binding can result in neat lasting finishes ideal on expensive garments or home decoration work. - Accurate sewing is needed: Woven fabrics do not stretch when cut or sewn and so are much easier to deal with when detail is required. They can be accurately matched in pattern (such as plaids or stripes), have both complex seam finishing and interfacing to provide greater stability.
They are therefore the most preferred when it comes to complicated tasks such as fitted shirts, lined jackets and quilting where precision and balance are paramount.
Knit and Woven Fabric Examples by Product
To make it easier to remember which type of fabric is typically used in the most popular things here is a handy cheat sheet:
| Product Type | Knit or Woven? |
|---|---|
| T-shirt | Knit |
| Blazer | Woven |
| Yoga Pants | Knit |
| Jeans | Woven |
| Bedsheets (Percale) | Woven |
| Bedsheets (Jersey) | Knit |
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Needs
Knowing what the difference is between knit and woven fabrics will make you a smarter consumer, shopper, sewer or designer. Knit fabric is stretchy and comfortable, making it ideal to be used in active wear, casual, whereas textile woven fabric is structuring and long-lasting, which can be used in tailored clothes and home textiles.
Blended fabrics such as stretch denim are versatile and are suitable in both flexibility and stability requirements of the projects.
Whenever you choose the appropriate type of fabric, you are guaranteed a comfortable fit, functionality, and durability of each of your creations. Yanmao Textile Technology CO., LTD supply innovative textiles in fashion, sportswear and home decoration using premium-quality knit and woven fabric.
Their fabrics are a product of the latest technology and the masterful finishing making them performance and sustainable. Visit their inventory to get an excellent material to work with in your next project.
