Knitting is a method for production of textile fabrics by interlacing
yarn loops with loops of the same or other yarns. It is used to create
many types of garments. Knitting may be done by hand or by machine.
Knitting creates stitches: loops of yarn in a row, either flat or in the
round (tubular). There are usually many active stitches on the knitting
needle at one time. Knitted fabric consists of a number of consecutive
rows of connected loops that intermesh with the next and previous rows.
As each row is formed, each newly created loop is pulled through one or
more loops from the prior row and placed on the gaining needle so that
the loops from the prior row can be pulled off the other needle without
unraveling.
Differences in yarn (varying in fibre type, weight, uniformity and
twist), needle size, and stitch type allow for a variety of knitted
fabrics with different properties, including color, texture, thickness,
heat retention, water resistance, and integrity. A small sample of
knitwork is known as a swatch.