Publish Time: 2026-01-31 Origin: Site
Segment | Market Share Percentage |
|---|---|
Tricot Knit Segment | 70% |
Warp Knitting Machines (2026) | 55% |
Weft knitting machines make soft and stretchy fabric. These fabrics are great for clothes like T-shirts and leggings.
Warp knitting machines make strong and stable fabric. These fabrics work well for sportswear and medical textiles.
Pick a knitting machine that fits your project needs. Think about the yarn type and your skill level for the best results.
Look at features like speed and design choices when picking a knitting machine. This helps you meet your creative goals.
Clean and oil your knitting machine often. This keeps it working well.
Weft knitting machines use one yarn to make loops. The yarn goes side to side across the fabric. This makes rows that run sideways. The fabric is soft and stretches a lot. There are different weft knitting machines you can use. Some examples are:
Circular knitting machines
Flat knitting machines
Hand-crank machines
Automatic machines
Home machines
These machines help you make many kinds of fabric. You can make simple or fancy designs.
People use weft knitting machines to make stretchy clothes. These include T-shirts, sweaters, leggings, and underwear. The fabric feels soft and comfy. It stretches, so it fits well for daily clothes. Some machines, like rib or interlock machines, make cuffs, collars, and sportswear.
Tip: Weft knitting makes fabric that hangs well and feels soft on your skin.
Warp knitting machines use lots of yarns at the same time. Each yarn makes a loop going up and down. The machine forms rows that go up and down. This makes the fabric strong and not very stretchy. There are two main warp knitting machines:
Type of Machine | Distinguishing Features |
|---|---|
Tricot Machines | Make thin, light fabrics like tulle and lace. They work fast and control stitches well. |
Raschel Machines | Make thick, bumpy fabrics. They use extra yarns and special stitches for tough jobs. |
Factories use warp knitting machines to make sportswear, swimwear, linings, and medical fabrics. These fabrics need to keep their shape and last long. Warp knitting also makes lace, mesh, and furniture fabric.
Feature | Warp Knitting | Weft Knitting |
|---|---|---|
Yarn Direction | Vertical loops (lengthwise) | Horizontal loops (widthwise) |
Fabric Stability | More stable, less stretchy | More stretchy, drapable |
Applications | Sportswear, medical textiles | Everyday apparel (e.g., T-shirts) |
Production Speed | Up to 1,200 rpm | 20–60 rpm |
Weft knitting machines use one yarn for soft, stretchy fabric.
Warp knitting machines use many yarns for strong, steady fabric.
Pick weft knitting for comfy, stylish clothes. Pick warp knitting for tough, long-lasting fabric.
Factories use circular knitting machines to make clothes. These machines knit fabric in a tube shape. You can make T-shirts, socks, and sportswear with them. Some top brands are ORIZIO, Tompkins USA, Flying Tiger, Stoll, Santoni, and Terrot. Circular knitting machines have two main types: single jersey and double jersey. Each type works in its own way.
Feature | Single Jersey Machine | Double Jersey Machine |
|---|---|---|
Fabric Production | Makes one layer of fabric | Makes two layers of fabric |
Structure | Has one set of needles | Has two sets of needles |
Applications | Good for light fabrics like t-shirts | Good for thick fabrics like sweaters |
Advantages | Easy to use, good for simple designs | Makes strong fabric, can do complex designs |
Disadvantages | Not good for fancy designs | Harder to use, needs more work |
Pick a single jersey machine for light, stretchy fabric. Double jersey machines are better for thick, strong fabric. Circular knitting is fast and makes lots of fabric quickly.
Note: Circular knitting machines help you make fabric fast and waste less.
A flat knitting machine makes flat pieces of fabric. You can use it for sweaters, scarves, and special textiles. This machine knits rows back and forth. You can make many shapes and patterns. Factories and small workshops use flat knitting machines.
Some common uses for flat knitting machines are making sweaters, scarves, and hats with cool patterns. You can also make sportswear and medical fabrics. Flat knitting machines help make shoes and special items. You can knit throws and covers for your home. They also make strong fabric for cars and machines.
A hand flat knitting machine lets you control your designs. You can change patterns and fix mistakes easily. Designers use hand flat knitting machines for custom work.
Tip: Flat knitting machines help you make simple or fancy designs with care.
Straight bar knitting machines make rib fabrics, single jersey, and double-needle fabrics. These machines use bearded needles on a vertical bar. They have a cam system for control. They work slower than other machines but have special benefits.
Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|
Easy to put together and take apart | Hard to replace sponge bar |
Sponge can be replaced without glue | Plastic parts are not as strong as metal |
Needles can be changed without removing sponge | |
Light plastic parts | |
Most parts are easy to find online | |
Can knit thick yarns easily | |
No sinker plate needed | |
No glue needed for sponge | |
Small size fits in tight spaces |
You can use straight bar knitting machines for sweaters and rib fabrics. These machines are small and fit in small rooms. You can change most parts easily.
Note: Straight bar knitting machines are good for thick yarn and easy fixing.
If you want to knit at home, you can pick a hand knitting machine or an automatic knitting machine. Each type has its own good points.
Feature | Hand-Crank Knitting Machines | Automatic Knitting Machines |
|---|---|---|
Speed | Slower, you turn by hand | Faster, works by itself |
Efficiency | Not great for big projects | Good for big projects |
Flexibility in Design | Easy to change patterns | Harder to change patterns |
Complexity of Designs | Needs skill for hard designs | Can make hard designs easily |
Noise Level | Usually quiet | Can be loud |
Creative Expression | More freedom to be creative | Less freedom, preset designs |
A hand knitting machine lets you be creative. You can change your design anytime. An automatic knitting machine works faster and is good for big projects. You do not need to be an expert to make cool patterns with an automatic machine.
Popular home knitting machine brands are SENTRO and Silver Reed. SENTRO machines are easy for beginners and kids. They can knit much faster than by hand. Silver Reed has models like LK150, SK155, SK280, and SK840. Each model works well for different yarns and patterns.
You can use a hand knitting machine to make hats, scarves, and gifts. Automatic knitting machines help you finish big projects fast. Both types are good gifts and give you good value.
Tip: Pick a hand knitting machine for creative work. Pick an automatic knitting machine for speed and easy use.
Warp knitting machines use many yarns at the same time. Each yarn goes through its own guide bar. The guide bars move yarns around needles to make loops that go up and down. The process has several steps:
Phase | Action Description | Function Description |
|---|---|---|
Hook Closing Phase | The needle core moves down and closes the hook. This locks the new yarn inside. | This keeps the yarn from slipping out as the machine moves. |
Landing Phase | The hook needle goes down more. The old loop slides from the shank to the hook. The new yarn gets enclosed. | This keeps the old and new yarns in the right place. |
Cast-Off & Loop Formation | The old loop slips off the needle head. The new yarn is pulled through to make a new loop. | This finishes the new loop. The depth controls how thick the fabric is. |
Return Phase | The hook needle goes back up. The needle core opens again. The cycle starts over. | This gets the machine ready for the next loop. |
Warp knitting machines have many important parts. These are needles, guide bars, sinkers, cam shafts, crankshafts, latches, and beat-up bars. Each part helps move the yarn and shape the fabric.
Tip: Warp knitting uses straight threads and guide bars to make strong fabric.
Warp knitting is used in many industries. These machines make lace for clothes. They also make double-needle bar fabrics for homes. Some machines make fake blood vessels for hospitals. Factories use warp knitting for industrial items and nets for farms.
Industry/Field | Application Examples |
|---|---|
Garment Production | Raschel lace machine for clothes |
Home Textiles | Double-needle bar Raschel machines for home use |
Medical Applications | Fake blood vessels |
Industrial Supplies | Multi-Axial and Biaxial Warp Knitting Machines |
Agricultural Supplies | Net machines for farming |
Warp knitting also makes mesh fabrics and spacer fabrics. It is used for car parts, airplane materials, filters, geotextiles, and medical fabrics. Some machines make hollow fiber mats for beer and water cleaning.
Warp knitting machines are special because they use many yarns and make vertical loops. The fabric is strong and keeps its shape well. The needles move up and down together. This makes the machine work fast and steady.
Needles make loops with their own yarns.
Guide bars help move yarns to make patterns.
Sinkers keep the fabric tight.
Cam shafts and crankshafts move needles and yarns.
Beat-up bars help the fabric stay even.
Weft Knitting | Warp Knitting |
|---|---|
Uses one set of yarn to make fabric. | Uses many yarns to make fabric. |
Stitches look like a V and are even. | Stitches go up and down with zigzag yarns. |
Fabric stretches easily. | Fabric keeps its shape like woven cloth. |
Fabric can snag more easily. | Fabric is tough and does not snag much. |
Needles move in a circle. | Needles move up and down together. |
Good for light fabric. | Good for heavy fabric. |
Applications: Stretchy clothes like t-shirts and sportswear. | Applications: Strong items like sportswear and medical gowns. |
Note: Warp knitting machines help you make fabric that lasts and does not break easily.
Think about what you want to make. Also, think about the yarn you will use. Some knitting machines work better with certain yarns. If you want seamless clothes, pick a machine made for that. Machines with a gauge of 12-18 work with many yarns. These are good for small or medium projects. Cotton-polyester and wool-nylon blends are popular. They have special strengths. A 50/50 blend is soft and strong. The way you knit, like rib or tuck stitches, changes how stretchy and strong your fabric is.
Factor | Description |
|---|---|
Gauge | Decides yarn thickness and project type. |
Patterning Capabilities | Changes design choices from easy to hard. |
Production Speed | Circular machines are fast. Flatbed machines give more design choices. |
Ease of Use | Some machines are simple to learn and use. |
Space Requirements | Make sure you have space for the machine and extras. |
Budget Considerations | Prices are different. Add accessories and upkeep to your budget. |
Tip: Match your yarn to your machine’s gauge for the best results.
Think about your skill and how much you want to spend. Beginners like easy models such as Silver Reed LK150 or Addi Express King-Size. These are simple to set up and use. If you want more features, try Brother KH-836 or Passap Duomatic 80. These have automatic patterns and are very precise. They cost more money. The price depends on the type, technology, and brand. Advanced machines with automatic controls and high speed cost more. They save time and work. Where you buy and ship from can change the price too.
Knitting Machine Model | Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
Silver Reed LK150 | Flatbed | Good for beginners, works with many yarns |
Addi Express King-Size | Circular | Makes tubes, small, easy to use |
Singer Knitting Machine | Flatbed | Cheap, easy instructions |
Brother KH-836 | Flatbed | Automatic patterns, detailed work |
Passap Duomatic 80 | Flatbed | Very precise, wide stitches |
Note: Start with a simple machine if you are new. Get a better one when you learn more.
New knitting machines have cool features. Software and AI help you design and make fabric easily. Some use CAD/CAM for custom patterns. Multi-system machines let you knit with two or more systems. This makes work faster. Many new machines use less energy and eco-friendly materials. Robots and 3D tools make making fabric quicker and easier. You can make special textiles for sports, medicine, and industry.
Software and AI make design and fixing easier.
Multi-system machines work faster and give more choices.
Eco-friendly machines use less energy and make less waste.
Robots and 3D tools help make fabric quickly.
Tip: Pick machines with features that fit your project and future plans.
You can pick weft or warp knitting machines for your project. Weft machines make soft and stretchy fabric for daily clothes. Warp machines make strong fabric for sportswear and special uses. Use this table to help you choose the right machine:
Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
Price and Budget | Choose a machine that fits your money and needs. |
Skill Level | Pick a machine that matches what you know. |
Project Requirements | Get a machine that works for your project. |
Features and Specifications | Look for stitch choices and yarn types. |
User Reviews and Expert Opinions | Read what others say about how well it works. |
Size and Portability | Make sure the machine fits in your room. |
Check out these resources to learn more:
Machine Knitting Resources for today’s knitters
Manuals, how-to guides, and help from others
Free Manuals And Documents
Learning The Programming of Modern Computerized Flat Knitting Machines
Weft Knitting | Warp Knitting |
|---|---|
Uses one yarn | Uses many yarns |
Makes stretchy fabric | Makes stable fabric |
You choose weft for soft clothes. You pick warp for strong textiles.
You need to match the yarn to your machine’s gauge. Thick yarns work best with low-gauge machines. Thin yarns fit high-gauge machines. Always check your machine’s manual for yarn recommendations.
You clean your machine by brushing away lint and dust. Oil moving parts with sewing machine oil. Check needles for damage. Regular care helps your machine last longer.
You find many home knitting machines designed for beginners. Models like SENTRO and Silver Reed LK150 offer simple setup and easy instructions. You learn basic knitting quickly with these machines.
WELLKNIT was founded in Taiwan since 1987, and in 1995, we set up the production base in Quanzhou, Fujian, is the first Taiwan-funded weft knitting machine manufacturer to take root in Quanzhou.