T-shirts are generally very soft, stretchy, and comfortable, aren’t they? This is the primary reason behind their popularity among people of every age. But what makes them so soft? The short answer is the fabrics used to make them. However, people ask: Are T-shirts knitted or woven?
As you know, there are different types of fabrics available. Each of them has its unique pros and cons. When it comes to T-shirts, almost all the manufacturers prefer knitted fabrics. Do you want to know the logic behind it? If you’re in luck! In this article, I will discuss everything about the T-shirts and fabrics they use. So, let’s get started!
What Are Knit and Woven Fabrics?
Knitted and woven fabrics are very popular among cloth manufacturers. They are made using modern machines.
Knitted fabrics consist of yarn that is looped together. The machine inner loops all the yarn during weaving and creates the fabric. On the other hand, woven fabric does not have looped yarn. Instead, the yarns are linked together at right angles. The yarn goes up and down to each other and makes the fabric.
Remember, these fabrics are made by knitting and weaving. Woven fabric has been in use for several hundred years. At that time, there were no dedicated machines for weaving these fabrics. So, people had to make manuals through hand-operated looms. To date, this type of fabric is very popular and used in making jeans and other clothing.
Conversely, knitted fabric is comparatively newer. In these fabrics, the yarn is looped together to create breathability. They are not very strong but offer more softness and smoothness. In the past, this fabric was made through hand knitting. Nowadays, dedicated knitting machines are available. They help create high-quality knitted fabrics in no time.
Are T-shirts knitted or Woven?
All T-shirts are made with knit fabrics. The reason is that knit fabric is soft and breathable. Moreover, this fabric is stretchy, which is a big plus. You can wear them while running, jogging, or doing other activities. T-shirts made of knit fabrics are very comfortable in the long run.
The woven fabric is very thick and less breathable. It consists of yarns that are weaved together by tightly crossing each other. So there is no space between them. Yarn after yarn goes at the right angle and creates these woven fabrics. There is no space among the yarn so that no air can pass through.
Moreover, this fabric offers no stretchiness, making it very uncomfortable. On the flip side, the knitted fabric is stretchy, not rigid. It is made by looping the yarn. This looping leaves small gaps between these yarns, which are invisible to the naked eye. But the air can pass through them. As there are small spaces, the yarns can move slightly and make the fabrics very stretchy.
As you know, running, jogging, exercising, and other everyday tasks require flexible clothing. Knitted fabrics offer exactly what our daily routine needs. T-shirts made with knitted fabrics are flexible, breathable, and soft. This is because most T-shirts are made of knitted, not woven, fabrics.
Are Winter T-Shirts Made from Woven Fabric?
The answer is NO! Winter shirts are also made with knitted fabrics. However, they are still different from T-shirts made for summer. Let’s debunk how!
The knitting process is very controlled and helps manufacturers decide which type of fabric they want. So, manufacturers use thin yarn during the knitting process. The thin yarns leave space among them during knitting. So, the fabrics made are more breathable and ideal for hot weather conditions.
However, for winter t-shirts, the manufacturers use thick yarn to make knitted fabrics. During knitting, these thick yarns create a loop that is very close together, leaving no space among them. As there is no space, air cannot pass through them. As a result, the fabrics made are less breathable and ideal for cozy weather.
Remember that some manufacturers use warm yarn to make knitted fabrics for winter t-shirts. For t-shirts in icy conditions, manufacturers use fleece yarn during knitting. The soft fleece offers excellent warmth for those who feel chilly. In short, woven fabric is generally not used for making t-shirts.
How to Knit a T-Shirt?
There are two ways of knitting T-shirts. Actually, we don’t knit T-shirts, but we knit fabrics, which are then used to make the T-shirts. Let’s discuss both of those T-shirt methods.
1- Knitting Through Machine
Almost all modern T-shirt manufacturers use dedicated machines for knitting T-shirts. These machines use welt knitting techniques to make fabrics. In welt knitting, the loops of yarn go in a horizontal direction. In simple words, the yarn goes sideways in welt knitting. Remember, this knitting of yarn makes fabrics.
T-shirts are made once the fabric is knitted. Remember, these machines have dedicated tubes. Once yarn undergoes welt knitting, it makes fabrics that go on the tube. After that, the manufacturer cut the fabric into pieces to make the T-shirts. Manufacturers use these knitting machines because they are swift. So they can create thousands of T-shirts quickly and meet bulk orders.
2- (Manual Knitting) Hand Knitted T-shirts
Knitting T-shirts is an old and conventional method. It is prolonged and is not preferred in modern manufacturing. This type uses needles and thicker yarns. The person who does hand knitting requires skills to create a loop of yarn row by row. This method requires thicker yarn, resulting in thicker and denser T-shirts.
Generally, they are more inclined towards sweaters. You’ll see these T-shirts (sweaters) in different villages. Women make these hand-knitted shirts, and locals buy them due to their low cost. It is an income source for many ladies living in villages. Moreover, many hobbyists also do hand knitting as a hobby.
Quick Highlight: T-shirts made and knitted by machines are very soft and breathable. Conversely, hand-knitted fabrics are generally thicker and not ideal for summer seasons. I only recommend opting for hand-knitted shirts for the winter season. They consist of thicker yarn, which makes them warmer.
Advantages of Knitted T-Shirts
As I said above, all T-shirts are knitted. Let’s discuss some key benefits of why manufacturers choose knitting fabrics when making T-shirts.
1- Stretch and Flexibility
First, the knitted fabrics are very flexible and stretchy. The reason is that yarn knitted in loops has space among them. So those yarns can move and create stretchiness. These T-shirts feel very comfortable when running, jogging, or doing routines.
2- Breathability & Fitting
As you know, T-shirts are very popular clothing for the summer season. That’s because of their breathability. Yarn knitted in loops allows the air to pass through, so your body feels the air and cools down in summer. Moreover, T-shirts are known for their excellent fitting. The reason is that they are stretchy, so they adjust according to your body size and dimensions.
3- Wrinkle Resistance & Easy to Carry
The knitted yarn is very flexible and can move. So when these yarns are displaced, they easily return to their position. So you notice no specific wrinkles that would affect the look of shirts. Due to this, you won’t have to iron the knitted T-shirts more often.
4- Softness and Comfort
One key benefit of knit T-shirts is that they are very soft. The yarn interlocking together feels softer than stiffer. If the yarn were laced and tightly crisscrossed, it would have given more rigidity than softness. Due to their softness, these shirts are very comfortable. Even those with sensitive skin have no allergy issues with these T-shirts.
5- Versatility in Design and Functionality
The knitted T-shirts are very versatile in both design and functionality. The knitting of yarn can be done to achieve different styles and patterns. Moreover, you can thicken yarn while knitting to create thicker T-shirts. These shirts are warmer and suitable for the winter season. It means knitted T-shirts can be worn in both winter and summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all T-shirts made from knit fabric?
Yes, almost all T-shirts are made from knit fabric. This makes them stretchy, soft, and breathable.
Can woven fabric be used to make T-shirts?
Yes, woven fabric can be used to make T-shirts. However, manufacturers don’t use this fabric type. This is due to its rigidity and lack of stretchiness. Shirts made with woven fabric are less comfortable.
How can I tell if my T-shirt is knit or woven?
Identifying the fabric of the T-shirt is very easy. You can stretch the T-shirt. If it stretches, it is made of knit fabrics. However, it remains rigid and less soft (no stretchiness); it is made with woven fabric.
Conclusion
T-shirts are very popular everyday clothing due to their comfort. People of all genders love wearing them. However, many seem to be confused about T-shirt manufacturing. Many believe that T-shirts are made with woven fabric, which is wrong. The woven fabric is not stretchy and soft.
So, using it to make a T-shirt would make it less comfortable. Therefore, manufacturers use knitted fabrics for T-shirts. The reason is that knitted fabric offers many practical advantages. They include softness, comfort, breathability, and stretchiness. Due to these goods, T-shirts are everyday clothing and very comfortable.