Knitted Stitch, Length and Density

Knitted stitch

The knitted stitch is the basic unit of intermeshing. It usually consists of three or more intermeshed needle loops. The Centre loop has been drawn through the head of the lower previously-formed loop and is, in turn, intermeshed through its head by the loop above it.

Stitch length:

The length of yarn required to produce a complete knitted loop (i.e Needle loop and sinker loop) is known as stitch length or loop length.

Stitch length is a length of yarn which includes the needle loop and half the sinker loop on either side of it.

A course length:

In weft knitted fabrics, a course of loops is composed of a single length of yarn termed a course length.

Definition: The length of yarn required to produce a complete knitted course is known as course length.

          Course length= No. of loops per course X Stitch length

          Course length= No. of needles X Stitch length

Stitch density:

Stitch density refers to the total number of loops in a measured area of fabric.

It is the total number of needle loops in a given area (such as a square inch

Stitch density= Wales density x Courses density

                                   =Wales per inch X Courses per inch

                                    = WPI X CPI

Unit: number of loops per square inch

Or,       SD= CPC x WPC (cm scale)