Effect of Stitch Length on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Single Jersey Cotton Knitted Fabric

The physical and mechanical properties of knitted fabric can be changed due to use of various count of yarn, type of yarn (ring, rotor, and compact), quality of yarn, stitch length / loop length, structural geometry, fiber composition of yarn etc. This study focused on the various stitch length effect of grey single jersey. With an increase in stitch length, the dimensional properties like CPI, WPI, GSM, thickness& tightness factor will be decreased for all the structures; while comfort properties like air permeability& water absorbency will be increased. Again shrinkage& spirality will be decreased with increased stitch length at grey stage. Other properties such as bursting strength, abrasion resistance& pilling resistance improved with increased stitch length. Though all the tests for fabric properties were carried out for grey stage, there properties can considerably vary after further finishing of the fabrics. As finishing is mandatory for fabric production, so now-a-days, these kinds of tests are carried out after finishing stage& proper controlling is done according to desired quality. Sometimes, controlling of some properties of finished fabrics are beyond our trial. In that case, analysis of fabric properties at grey stage can help us to take various control& corrective actions when necessary.