The Dimensional Properties of Knitted Wool Fabrics

Abstract

The plain-knitted structure is shown to be a rationally determinate structure only in the fully-relaxed state; in any other state, the nature of the knitted loop is dependent on the yarn's physical properties, mechanical processing, and knitting variables. The fully-relaxed state is only found after the fabrics have been thoroughly wetted-out, briefly hydroextracted, and tumble-dried. In this state, the K _(1-4) values are constant and predictable and independent of yarn or machine variables. In any other fabric state, values of K _(1-4) may vary considerably and have little commercial value. Fabric thickness is shown to be independent of loop length and dependent only on yarn diameter in the fully-relaxed state only.