Experimental evidence confirms the existence of a fixed knit-cell configuration of completely-relaxed weft-knitted wool fabrics. In this fabric condition, achieved after considerable mechanical agitation in the presence of water, the k or u parameters are constant and independent of the tightness factor. Fabric dimensions, therefore, are governed largely by loop length, as predicted by Munden, but a small effect of fiber quality (fineness) on the completely-relaxed mean values of the k or u is found.
Theoretical models of the knitted loop configuration, designed basically for idealized yarns, predict only approximately the observed dimensional behavior of weft-knitted wool fabrics.
Grosberg, P., "Structural Mechanics of Fibres. Yarns, and Fabrics," Chap. 13., New York, Wiley-Interscience, 1969.
2.
Heatherington, P., Postle, R., and Baird, K., Some Dimensional and Mechanical Properties of Plain-Knitted Wool Fabrics, CSIRO, Rept. No. 533, 1962.
3.
Hepworth, B. and Leaf, G.A.V., The Shape of the Loops in an Undeformed Plain Weft-Knitted Fabric, Textile Inst. Diamond Jubilee Conf, London, 1970.
4.
Knapton, J.J.F. , Ahrens, F.J., Ingenthron, W.W., and Fong, W., The Dimensional Properties of Knitted Wool Fabrics, Part I: The Plain-Knitted Structure, Textile Res. J.38, 999-1012 (1968).
5.
Knapton, J.J.F. , Richards, S., and Fong. W., The Dimensional Properties of Knitted Wool Fabrics, Part III: The Plain-Knit Structure in Machine-Washing and Tumble-Drying , Textile Res. J. 40, 543-553 (1970).
6.
Knapton, J.J.F. and Fong, W., The Dimensional Properties of Knitted Wool Fabrics, Part IV: 1 × 1 Rib and Half-Cardigan Structures in Machine-Washing and Tumble-Drying, Textile Res. J.40, 1095-1106 (1970).
7.
Knapton, J.J.F. and Fong, W., The Dimensional Properties of Knitted Wool Fabrics, Part V: Interlock and Swiss Double Piqué Structures; Fully-relaxed and in Machine-Washing and Tumble-Drying, Textile Res. J.41, 158-166, (1971).
8.
Knapton, J.J.F. and Schwartzkopff , K.K.H., The Dimensional Properties of All-Wool Double-Knit Fabrics, South African Wool Textile Res. Inst., Tech. Rept. No. 119, May, 1969
9.
Munden, D.L. , The Geometry and DimensionalProperties of Plain-Knit Fabrics, J. Textile Inst.50, T448-T471 ( 1959).
10.
Natkanski, K.B. , The Geometry and DimensionalProperties of the 1 × 1 Rib Knitted Structure, Ph.D. Thesis, Leeds University, 1967.
11.
Postle, R., The Geometry of the Relaxed Plain-Knit Structure, Ph.D. Thesis, Leeds University, 1965.
12.
Postle, R., Structure, Shape, and Dimensions of Knitted Wool Fabrics, 4th Intern. Wool Textile Res. Conf. San Francisco, Aug. 1970.
13.
Shanahan, W.J. and Postle, R., A Theoretical Analysis of the Plain-Knitted Structure, Textile Res. J.40. 656-665 (1970).
14.
Smirfitt, J.A. , Worsted 1 × 1 Rib Fabrics, Part I., Dimensional Properties, J. Textile Inst.56, T248-T259 (1965).
15.
Song, J-H. and Turner, J.D., SomeAspects of the Geometry of Simple Rib-Tuck Weft-Knitted Wool Fabrics, Textile Res. J.38, 481-487 (1968).
16.
van Issum, B.E. and Chamberlain , N.H., The Free Diameter and Specific Volume of Textile Yarns, J. Textile Inst.50, T599-T623 (1959).
17.
Wolfaardt, C., Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis Material, University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 1970.
