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; they can be either on
straight flat needles or in the round on needles with (often times
plastic) tubes connected to both ends of the needles. 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.[1] A small sample of
knitwork is known as a swatch.
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