Knitting Yarn Requirements
topic
Knitting yarns require: low twist multiplier (2.8–3.5 for soft handle and good loop formation), high elongation (6–10% for needle passage without breakage), low hairiness (pilling resistance), low IPI (thin places cause dropped stitches in knitting), and controlled twist liveliness (steam-set to prevent loop distortion). Count range: Ne 20–60 for jersey; Ne 10–30 for fleece and sweatshirt. Yarn tension in circular knitting: 5–20 cN, requiring consistent package hardness for even feed.
Role
Knitting yarn specification differences from weaving yarn — lower twist, higher elongation, stricter imperfection limits — require distinct ring frame settings and quality targets. Supplying weaving-spec yarn to a knitting customer is a common and costly error: the higher twist causes excessive loop distortion and the higher imperfection level causes dropped stitches, both requiring 100% fabric inspection and often resulting in rejected lots.