6 - Comparison of Weft and Warp Knitting

Abstract

Even when the needles are fixed or act collectively in a weft knitting machine, yarn feeding and loop formation occur at each needle in succession across the needle bed during the same knitting cycle. All or a number of the needles are supplied with the same weft yarn during the same knitting cycle so that the yarn path follow a course of the fabric passing through each needle loop knitted from it. In a warp knitting machine there is a simultaneous yarn-feeding and loop-forming action occurring at every needle in the needle bar during the same knitting cycle. All needles in the needle bar are simultaneously lapped by separate warp guides. As all needles receive their overlaps simultaneously, a guide under lapping from one needle to another passing from one knitting cycle or course to the next so that the warp yarn passes from an overlap produced in one course to an overlap produced in a succeeding course.