There are two basic kinds of fabric in the fashion world: knit fabric and woven fabric. Knit is t-shirt fabric – it stretches. Woven is bed sheet fabric – it does not stretch. Why is it important to distinguish? When you enter the garment manufacturing world you need to know this basic distinction to establish your level of knowledge.
Why is it important to distinguish between knit and woven fabrics?
Understanding the difference between knit and woven fabrics is fundamental when entering the garment manufacturing industry. This knowledge not only builds your expertise but also helps you work more effectively with factories and suppliers.
When working with new fashion start-ups, the first question I always ask is: “What type of fabric does your product use?”
If a client cannot distinguish between knit and woven fabrics, it’s a clear indication that they are new to the industry and need foundational guidance.
Another reason for knowing the difference between woven and knit is because most factories work with one fabric or the other not both. For example, Thai Son Sewing factory is a sportswear factory and they work with knit fabric. Intermax sewing factory is an outerwear factory and they only work with woven fabric.
Knit factories in Vietnam typically manufacture products such as: T-shirts, polos, hoodies, and dresses and these products are made from circular knitted fabrics like single jersey, pique, and interlock. They do not produce items that require woven fabrics, such as wedding dresses or men’s dress shirts.
Here is a great illustration that shows you what is the difference between woven and knit fabric?


Difference Between Circular Knit and Flat Knit
Don’t confuse circular knit with flat knit. Circular knit is made with a machine that knits the fabric in a cylinder and the weight is “light.” Circular knit fabrics have gauges from 12 to 22 which basically means that the fabric is thin like t-shirts.
Flat knit is made with a machine that knits the fabric in sheets (or flat) and the gauge is 2 to 10. Flat knit is thick sweater fabric like your grandmother usually makes sitting in a rocking chair with two needle-sticks. Below is a picture of a circular knit machine and flat knit machine. Thai Son works with circular knit fabric. Understanding how these two machines are different is key to understanding the answer to, what is the difference between woven and knit fabric?
A great reference for more info is what is the difference between woven and knit fabric on What The Craft website.
Differences Between Woven and Knit Fabric.
Knit fabric is looped together and stretches. Examples of knit are single jersey, interlock, pique, rib and ponte roma.
Woven fabric is interlaced at right angles. Woven fabric does not stretch. Examples are Twill, Chiffon, Denim and Poplin.
Why is this important? When you enter into the garment manufacturing world you need to know what fabric you are working with.
Because knit fabric is made from one continuous thread (much like the one continuous yarn in your hand-knitting), it stretches all over. Woven fabrics, on the other hand, will only stretch diagonally or as a sewer might say, on the bias.
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