What Are The Characteristics Of Ribbed Fabrics?

Rib-knit fabrics are made up of parallel vertical threads and have a lot of stretches. This makes it ideal for use on close-fitting garments such as tops, leggings, underwear, socks, and more. Rib-knit fabrics are characterized by their pronounced ribbing, which appears as vertical lines on the surface of the fabric. You can clearly see the bumps or ridges that run parallel to the selvage on the front and back of the fabric. Ribbing is created by alternating rows of knits and backstitches, giving the fabric texture.

Depending on the yarn and stitches used, rib knit fabrics range from lightweight and very stretchy to thick and very strong. Rib knits are a reversible fabric, which means they look exactly the same on the front and back. This makes them great for projects where you want the fabric to look the same on both sides. They have very little vertical stretch, but they do have a lot of lateral stretches. When shopping for rib knit fabric, be sure to check the stretch percentage as this will determine how stretchy the fabric will be when used in a garment.

The general stretch of rib knit fabrics makes them ideal for use in close-fitting garments. Rib knits are also used to create straps on garments: necklines, cuffs, waistbands, and hems. For example, ribbed knit fabrics (often in different colors) can be used to create a neckline on a T-shirt or a waistband on leggings. Rib knit fabrics are also popular because they resist wrinkling. As such, rib knit fabrics are a versatile choice for many different projects.

Rib knit fabrics can be made from many different fibers including cotton, linen, wool, and synthetic fibers such as rayon, acrylic, or polyester. Rib-knit fabrics generally have good recovery properties, meaning they return to their original shape after being stretched. Plus, the edges of ribbed knits won't curl. One downside of knitted fabrics is that their edges often curl, which can be frustrating when you're trying to achieve a neat finish on a piece of clothing. However, rib knit fabrics are inherently resistant to curling. The knit and lamé stitching used in the ribbing creates an even tension and prevents the edges from curling.