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title: "7.4.3 Knitting"
canonical: "https://wiki.groenkennisnet.nl/space/HNPE/295011861/7.4.3%20Knitting"
format: markdown
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For knitting, it is important that the yarn is flexible. These are generally rotor-spun staple fibres. Knitting with wet-spun yarn is difficult because the yarn is not sufficiently flexible. However, by softening the yarn and giving it the necessary treatments, it is possible to knit with wet-spun hemp yarn. 

Important properties of yarn in knitting include yarn number, strength (Table below), elongation, coefficient of friction, irregularity, twist (Figure below), hairiness, stiffness and shrinkage.


Table: Specific tensile strength (cN/tex) for knitting yarn.

|  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Fibre raw material** | **Weft knitting** | **Warp knitting** |
| Hemp (and flax) – long staple fibres | 17 – 18.5 | 19.5 – 23 |
| Hemp (and flax) – short staple fibres | 10 – 12.5 | 13.5 - 17 |
| Cotton – carded | 7 – 12 | 9 – 15 |
| Cotton – combed | 11 – 15 | 14 - 22 |
| Wool | 3 – 4.5 | 4 – 5.5 |

![image](media://3cf1ab1a-fbb6-4919-8c30-ca4fdca6eb8c)

In knitting, we distinguish weft knitting (§[7.4.3.1](https://wiki-groenkennisnet.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/HNPE/pages/295011906)) and warp knitting (§[7.4.3.2](https://wiki-groenkennisnet.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/HNPE/pages/295011920)). 

Knits made of hemp yarn are still hard to find; typical applications of knits are: T-shirts (weft knitting - circular), jumpers (weft knitting), mattress duck (warp knitting).

> ℹ️ <u>Suppliers of hemp knitting yarn</u>
> ℹ️ 
> ℹ️ - Etsy, [https://www.etsy.com/listing/1044487407/lilac-just-hemp-yarn](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1044487407/lilac-just-hemp-yarn)
> ℹ️ - Hobbydoos, [https://www.hobbydoos.nl/winkel/producten/lang-yarns-canapa](https://www.hobbydoos.nl/winkel/producten/lang-yarns-canapa)
> ℹ️ - Linificio, [https://linificio.feeltheyarn.it/en/prodotto/canapa-2/](https://linificio.feeltheyarn.it/en/prodotto/canapa-2/)
> ℹ️ - Safilin, [https://www.safilin.fr/?lang=en](https://www.safilin.fr/?lang=en)
> ℹ️ - Wolplein, [https://www.wolplein.nl/wol/hennep](https://www.wolplein.nl/wol/hennep)

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[1] Carl A. Lawrence, ‘Advances in Yarn Spinning Technology’, 2010 Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles, [https://www.sciencedirect.com/advances-in-spinning-technology](https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9781845694449/advances-in-yarn-spinning-technology#book-description) 

[2] Motiv, ‘Aankoopwegwijzer voor circulair textiel 1 – Module 3B: Doeken uit textile’, [https://data.secureserver.be/databases/bedrijven.nsf/webopen/downloads/$file/GDCA3Bdoeken.pdf](https://data.secureserver.be/databases/bedrijven.nsf/webopen/downloads/$file/GDCA3Bdoeken.pdf)