Flat Machine Knitting and Fabrics

by H. D. Buck

Varieties of Rib

This stitch, by distortion, or by manipulation of the yarns or needles, or by a combination of two or all three of these things, can produce a number of fabrics different both in appearance and feel. To enumerate the principal ones, there are the half cardigan or tuck stitch, also sometimes called royal rib; the full cardigan, and the rack stitch with the rack on one side of the fabric and the double rack which shows the rack on both sides of the fabric. Then there is the zig-zag stitch, which is quite simple to make but is quite a puzzle to those not familiar with it. There is also the cotton back, which is a well known and popular fabric in the sweater trade.

Then there are many varieties of ribs made either in plain or in combination with one or more of the above by taking needles out of the machine at predetermined places, or by the Jacquard system of selecting needles. There is also the system of making designs by the cut pressers and pattern wheels, which is used on circular machines only.