Italian knitwear with jersey and knitted fabrics
Knitwear is the umbrella term for fabrics that are not woven but made from interconnected stitches. This includes jersey and knitted fabrics. They are usually stretchier and softer than woven fabrics and follow the body more easily. At Armbrüster Fabric Wholesale, you can get them as fabric by the meter from Italy.
Hardly any fabric type changes the wearing sensation as much as knitwear. It makes designs more flexible, comfortable, and often more modern, without losing quality. For designers, this means working with material that combines comfort and expression.
Jersey and knitted fabrics at a glance
Group | Examples | Effect |
|---|---|---|
Jersey | Single jersey, interlock, rib jersey, piqué | Soft, stretchy, and close to the body |
Knitted fabrics | French terry, sweat, Romanit, fine knit, jacquard knit | More volume, structure, and warmth |
Popular knitwear qualities
Quality | Group | Well suited for |
|---|---|---|
Single jersey | Jersey | Lightweight shirts, tops, and dresses |
Interlock | Jersey | More dimensionally stable, closed pieces |
Rib jersey | Jersey | Cuffs and close-fitting models |
Piqué | Jersey | Polos and shirts with texture |
French terry | Knitted fabric | Sweatshirts and loungewear |
Sweat | Knitted fabric | Warm, sporty models |
Romanit | Knitted fabric | Dimensionally stable dresses and blazers |
Fine knit | Knitted fabric | Sweaters and cardigans |
Jacquard knit | Knitted fabric | Distinctive pieces with pattern |
Knitted fabric | Smooth, strong silhouettes |
Knitwear and woven fabric compared
Feature | Woven fabric | Knitwear |
|---|---|---|
Structure | Firm yarn crossings | Moveable stitches |
Stretch | Little to none | Mostly elastic |
Wearing sensation | Dimensional and clear | Soft and adaptable |
Typical pieces | Shirts, pants, blazers | Shirts, dresses, loungewear |
Processing | Standard seam | Stretch seam recommended |
How to care for knitwear properly
Quality | Care |
|---|---|
Cotton jersey | Washable at 30 to 40 degrees, may shrink, prewash |
Viscose and modal jersey | Gentle wash, delicate when wet, do not wring |
Sweat and French terry | Wash inside out, to protect the surface |
Wool and fine knit | Wool program or hand wash, dry flat |
All knitwear | Do not tumble dry hot, otherwise elasticity will suffer |
What you should keep in mind with knitwear
Knitwear behaves differently from woven fabric. Especially single jersey tends to curl at the cutting edges, making cutting more difficult. For sewing, a stretch seam or an overlock and a jersey needle with a rounded tip are suitable, so that the stitches are not damaged. Also pay attention to the recovery, that is, whether the fabric returns to shape after stretching.
Why our Italian knitwear is special
Our knitwear comes mainly from Italian weaving mills and from the environment of well-known design houses. Many qualities are designer deadstock, meaning already produced stocks that are only available in limited quantities. Because no new production is required, this often results in good value for money, and the fabrics stay in the circular economy.
Knitwear for collections with comfort and character
Good knitwear is more than comfortable. It determines how a design fits, how it moves, and how high-quality it looks. A fine jersey elevates simplicity, a strong-character knit gives a collection contour and identity. Many qualities are only available in limited quantities, and precisely that makes them valuable for independent collections.
Frequently asked questions about knitwear
What is knitwear?
What is knitwear?
Knitwear is fabric that is formed from interconnected stitches instead of being woven. This includes jersey and knitted fabrics. They are usually softer and stretchier than woven fabrics and are ideal for comfortable, modern clothing.
What is the difference between knitwear and woven fabric?
What is the difference between knitwear and woven fabric?
Woven fabric is made with firm yarn crossings and is more dimensionally stable. Knitwear consists of moveable stitches and is therefore elastic and adaptable. Woven fabric suits shirts and blazers, knitwear is for shirts, dresses, and loungewear.
What is the difference between jersey and knitted fabric?
What is the difference between jersey and knitted fabric?
Both belong to knitwear. Jersey is usually finer, softer, and close-fitting, for example for shirts and dresses. Knitted fabrics are fuller and more structured and are suitable for sweaters, cardigans, and jackets.
Which knitwear is suitable for clothing?
Which knitwear is suitable for clothing?
Jersey is particularly suitable for shirts, tops, and dresses. For sweatshirts and loungewear, French terry and sweat, for dimensionally stable pieces Romanit, for sweaters and cardigans fine knit. Which quality fits depends on the model.
Is knitwear stretchy?
Is knitwear stretchy?
Yes, mostly. The degree of stretch depends on the structure and fiber. Rib jersey is particularly stretchy, interlock and Romanit are firmer and more stable. For stretchy fabrics, a stretchy seam is recommended.
How do I care for jersey and knitwear?
How do I care for jersey and knitwear?
Care depends on the fiber. Cotton jersey is usually washable at 30 to 40 degrees, viscose and modal jersey prefer gentle wash. It is important not to tumble dry knitwear hot, so that the elasticity is preserved.
Where can I find Italian knitwear by the meter?
Where can I find Italian knitwear by the meter?
You can get Italian knitwear at Armbrüster Fabric Wholesale as fabric by the meter starting from 6 meters per fabric. Upon request, our field service can present you personally with jersey and knitted fabrics on site, so you can directly test the feel and stretch.