6 Knit Fabrics To Consider on Your Next Shopping Spree

At the onset of Covid-19, many people were twiddling their thumbs because they were unsure how to occupy their time. After some time, Zoom quizzes and meetups became the norm, many board games were played, and people became fascinated with baking. But another hobby that gained popularity was knitting.

You may have needed a creative outlet throughout the pandemic, and knitting was the perfect activity. But as normalcy slowly returns, it’s something you want to continue doing because you’ve enjoyed it.

However, you can’t pick any type—with the different variations; you’ll need to find one suitable for your project. So to support your endeavors, we’ve compiled a list of knit fabrics you should buy during your next shopping extravaganza. Take a look below.

French Terry

French terry is a type of knit fabric that’s made entirely from cotton. It’s similar to jersey fabric because of how clothing is made. This type of material is commonly found in sweatpants and sweatshirts, which is why they’re so comfortable to wear.

Furthermore, it’s slightly heavier than other fabrics used to make t-shirts. However, due to its versatility, you can wear it in warm or cool weather.

Jersey

Jersey knits are one of the more standard fabrics. It’s a lightweight, inexpensive single-knit fabric and can be used to create various patterns. It also has a decent amount of stretch, making it very easy to use.

There are visible vertical lines on the front of the fabric, while horizontal lines dominate the back. You can buy it in cotton, bamboo, or polyester. It’s usually used to make items such as:

• T-shirts
• Dresses
• Men’s underwear
• Scarves
• Headbands
• Leggings

Purl

Purl knit is a bulky fabric that looks the same on both sides and has a good two-way stretch. It’s much bulkier than jersey knits, but you can still use it to create attractive patterns.

You’ll mainly see this type of fabric used for creative thick winter sweaters or children’s clothes. But because of the material’s heaviness, production time tends to be slower. So you may want to expand a purl knit project over a few days so you can be more efficient.

Rib Knit

Rib knits are another standard fabric with distinct vertical ribs on either side. You can make it with the weft knitting process and by alternating purl and knit stitches. Plus, it’s a very elastic material which is why you’ll see it on necklines, edges of sweaters, sleeve cuffs, or cardigans.

Depending on the amount of material, there are also different rib stitches you can use with a rib knit, such as:

• 1×1: A popular form of ribbing that’s useful for making hats, mittens, and socks.
• 2×2: This straightforward method produces a reversible fabric and is great for specific areas on clothing, such as collars or cuffs.
• Shaker’s rib: Creates a lighter and stretchier stitch, making it ideal for hats.
• Fisherman’s rib: A dense rib stitch that’s ideal for winter clothing projects. Even if you go to the wrong side, the finishing product will still look excellent.
• Brioche rib: A simple, fast, and reversible method that uses two alternating stitches. It’s ideal for scarves.

Double Knit

Double knit fabric is made from interlocking variations of stitches. You’ll need two pairs of needles at an angle to enact this stitch. Typically the materials you’ll use for these projects are wool and polyester. Rayon is a solid choice, too, because of how soft it is.

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The beauty of this fabric is how easy it is to wove exciting patterns and textures. Plus, since the fiber structure is more stable, it won’t curl at the edges.

Interlock

This type of knit fabric is often confused with jersey knits because of the similar patterns. However, unlike jersey, the patterns are the same on both sides. Interlocking knits are also a bit thicker than single knit fabric, making them ideal for embroidery or fabric painting.

Since it’s thicker than other fabrics, you’ll find it easier to sew during your projects. Furthermore, you’ll find its stability helpful when creating designs as you progress.

Consider These Knit Fabrics During Your Next Outing

The popularity of knitting has become more mainstream due to the pandemic. But it doesn’t mean you have to give it up since things have returned to normal.

Instead, it would be better to re-up on other fabrics so you can continue getting better. Look at the materials above to see which suits your project ideas. Then you can knit to your heart’s content.