Abstract
A technique is described for assessing tension in the yarn during knitting by measuring the needle-butt reaction forces on the cam. Results are given which illus trate the first-order effects of the major knitting variables.
Two extremes of cam shape were investigated and it was found that a flat-bottom stitch cam gave rise to a remarkably constant stitch length. Cam force measurements suggested that the flat-bottom cam gave lower knitting tensions than the. pointed cam. There appears to be a good case for investigating the practicality of flat-bottom cams in flat-bed knitting machines.
It is also found that, when knitting a very tight stitch, the peak yarn tension can occur in the loop being cast off before it reaches the widest part of the needle. An explanation is given for this effect.
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