Some Aspects of the Geometry of Simple Rib-Tuck Weft-Knitted Wool Fabrics

Abstract

The problems involved in extending the well-established geometries of plain and 1×1 rib weft-knitted wool fabrics to include the half-cardigan and full-cardigan structures are discussed. The terms "tightness factor" and, "relaxation value" are introduced. It is shown that the simple fabric geometry formulas can be applied to rib-based tuck structures of mean tightness factor, and that the relaxation value of any fabric depends upon the tightness factor and the relaxation temperature and conditions. Comparisons are drawn between the geometrical properties of plain-knit, 1 × 1 rib, half-cardigan and full-cardigan fabrics knitted from the same batch of worsted yarn.