Scribd
Upload
1K views2 pages

Understanding Tightness Factor in Knitting

The tightness factor (Tf) is a ratio that indicates the compactness and relative tightness or looseness of a knitted structure. It is calculated as the ratio of the area covered by yarn in one loop to the area occupied by that loop. A higher Tf indicates a more compact and tighter knit. Typical Tf values for plain knits range from 1.3 to 1.5 but can be lower or higher depending on yarn count and loop length. Rib knits have a wider Tf range of 0.3 to 0.67 depending on the knitting method. Loop length, which is the length of yarn in each stitch, influences many fabric properties and is a key factor in calculating Tf.

Uploaded by

Abi Nikil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1K views2 pages

Understanding Tightness Factor in Knitting

The tightness factor (Tf) is a ratio that indicates the compactness and relative tightness or looseness of a knitted structure. It is calculated as the ratio of the area covered by yarn in one loop to the area occupied by that loop. A higher Tf indicates a more compact and tighter knit. Typical Tf values for plain knits range from 1.3 to 1.5 but can be lower or higher depending on yarn count and loop length. Rib knits have a wider Tf range of 0.3 to 0.67 depending on the knitting method. Loop length, which is the length of yarn in each stitch, influences many fabric properties and is a key factor in calculating Tf.

Uploaded by

Abi Nikil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

TIGHTNESS FACTOR

The general factor to indicate the relative tightness or looseness of plain knitted structure is
termed as a tightness factor. It is also difined as the ratio of area covered by the yarn in one
loop to the area occupied by that loop. It actually indicates the compactness of knitted
[Link] is one of property that influence durability, drape, handle, strength,
shrinkage, dimensional stability and abrasion resistance.
Let, length of the loop = l
Yarn diameter = d
Stitch density = s
Area covered by the yarn in one loop = l x d
Area occupied by one loop In fabric =1/wpi x1/cpi =1/s =l²/ks
Ratio of the cover =( l x d x ks)/l²
= (d x ks)/l
(ratio of the cover )/ks =d/l = 1/(28 x √n)/l
(Ratio of the cover x 28)/ks = 1/( √n x l)
Tf = (ratio of the cover x 28)/ks
TF =1/( √n x l)
The TF in metric system is expressed as √(tex)/l where yarn count in tex and loop length in l
in mm
Tf ranges between the 1.3 to 1.5 for plain knitted fabrics but same may be less or more then
this values depends on the yarn count and loop length values.
The Tf factor of rib knitted fabric widely ranges of 0.3 to 0.6 for flat bed knitting and 0.48 to
0.67 for circular knited fabrics.

Loop length
The length of yarn contained in loop unit is called loop length. Loop length is a very small
value compared to the length of yarn in a fabric. The other name of loop is stitch and
accordingly the length of yarn required to make a stitch is called stitch length. loop length
is different in different structure and more than one simple loop is essential to show the
structure of a complete loop of some knitted structures, nowadays another term called
structural knitted cell (SKC) is also used to definIf loop length is multiplied with the number
of needles in the machine or wale lines in the fabric, course length is obtained. As
measurement of individual loop length is difficult, loop length is obtained from course
length or from the length of a large number of loops in a course. There are two types loop
length – theoretical or nominal loop length and practical or actual loop length.e the
repeating units in knitted structure. The theoretical or nominal loop length is the length of
yarn taken by a needle at the knitting point during loop formation in the machine. This
length can be calculated from stitch cam setting, machine gauge and other related
parameters with due consideration of loop arm configuration. The length of yarn taken by
the needle ‘N’ situated at knitting point in between two sinkers S1 and S2 of a single jersey
machine is shown in Fig. 10.1. The simplest way of calculating the theoretical length of loop
for the needle ‘N’ is to find out the length of each straight segment (neglecting the curved
portions at the contact points) between the needle and the neighbouring sinkers and then
add them together. If cam setting is ‘h’, horizontal gap between sinker and needle is ‘a’ (a =
0.5/G, where G is the machine gauge) and yarn in loop is in the form of ‘V’ at knitting point
then theoretical loop length lt is expressed as 2 × √(a2 + h2).

You might also like