Revolutionizing Textiles: The Power of Double Knit Fabric

Guide to

Double Knit Fabric: Everything You Need to Know

Double knit fabric represents a valuable addition to your material portfolio, offering exceptional versatility across product categories and price points. By understanding its unique properties and optimizing your design and production processes accordingly, you can leverage this sophisticated textile to enhance your product offerings and strengthen your market position.

Types of Double Knit Fabrics

Understanding the various types of double knit fabrics available to you is essential for making informed sourcing decisions. Each variation offers distinct advantages depending on your specific application needs.

Type	Composition	Key Properties	Best Applications	Price Point
Cotton Double Knit	100% cotton or cotton-rich blends	Breathable, soft, hypoallergenic, excellent dye absorption	Casual wear, children’s clothing, premium loungewear	Medium to high
Double Knit Jersey	Traditional jersey construction with double-layer technique	Comfortable stretch, substantial weight, excellent recovery	Structured t-shirts, blazers, dresses, skirts	Medium
Polyester Double Knit	100% polyester or poly-rich blends	Exceptional durability, color retention, wrinkle resistance	Uniforms, high-wear applications, budget-conscious lines	Low to medium
Modal Blend Double Knit	Modal mixed with natural or synthetic fibers	Luxurious drape, enhanced breathability, silky hand	Elevated casual collections, drapey silhouettes	Medium to high
Performance Double Knit	Technical fibers with elastane, nylon	Moisture-wicking, enhanced stretch recovery, temperature regulation	Activewear, athleisure, performance professional wear	High

Technical Explanation of Double Knit Structure

The unique structure of double knit fabric directly contributes to its exceptional performance characteristics. Understanding this structure helps you communicate the value proposition to your customers and make informed design decisions.

At its core, double knit fabric consists of two separate layers of knitted fabric that are interconnected during the knitting process. Unlike single knits, which have distinct technical faces and backs, double knits create two technical faces with the connecting yarns hidden between them. This construction occurs on specialized double bed knitting machines equipped with two sets of needles working in tandem.

Double Knit vs. Single Knit Comparison

Characteristic	Double Knit	Single Knit	Advantage of Double Knit
Structure	Two interconnected layers	Single layer	Greater stability and substance
Edge Behavior	Minimal curling	Prone to curling	Easier cutting and sewing
Thickness	Substantial	Lightweight	Better drape and structure
Stretch	Moderate, controlled	High, less controlled	Better shape retention
Stability	High	Low to moderate	Maintains intended silhouette
Reversibility	Often reversible	Technical face and back	More versatile for design
Insulation	Higher	Lower	Better temperature regulation
Production Speed	Slower	Faster	Higher quality justifies cost
Pattern Capability	Complex patterns possible	Limited pattern options	More design possibilities
Seam Appearance	Clean, professional	Can pucker or wave	Higher perceived quality

The interconnection between the two layers creates a stable, balanced fabric that resists curling at the edges—a common challenge with single knits that can complicate your production process. This structural stability translates directly to easier cutting, sewing, and finishing, potentially reducing your manufacturing costs while improving quality outcomes.

For your technical design team, it’s worth noting that double knit structures can be engineered with varying degrees of connection between the layers. Tighter connections create firmer fabrics ideal for structured garments, while more relaxed connections allow greater stretch and drape for comfort-focused applications.

Benefits of Double Knit Structure for Different Applications

The unique structure of double knit fabric provides numerous advantages that directly benefit your product development process:

Enhanced Stability

Maintains intended silhouette throughout wear
Reduces returns due to shape distortion
Supports architectural design elements
Minimizes the need for additional interfacing

Superior Recovery

Returns to original dimensions after stretching
Critical for fitted garments and structured pieces
Maintains consistent fit throughout garment lifecycle
Reduces bagging at knees, elbows, and seat

Premium Hand and Weight

Creates tactile impression of quality
Influences consumer purchasing decisions
Justifies higher price points
Enhances perceived value of finished garments

Thermal Regulation

Provides insulation while maintaining breathability
Ideal for transitional season garments
Creates comfortable microclimate next to skin
Performs well across varying conditions

Finding Quality Double Knit Fabric for Sale

When sourcing double knit fabric for your production needs, develop a systematic evaluation process that includes:

Physical Testing

Recovery and dimensional stability
Colorfastness to washing, light, and rubbing
Pilling resistance
Abrasion resistance

Minimum Order Quantities

Vary significantly between suppliers
Establish relationships with vendors matching your scale
Consider consolidating orders across styles

Production Capacity

Ability to scale with your business growth
Consistent quality across larger orders
Reliable delivery schedules
Capacity for custom development

What Makes the Best Double Knit Jersey Fabric

The finest double knit jersey fabrics share several distinguishing characteristics that you should prioritize in your sourcing:

Yarn Quality	Knitting Tension Uniformity	Finishing Processes
Premium fibers with appropriate staple length Consistent diameter for smooth surfaces Optimal twist for balance of strength and softness High-quality raw materials for enhanced durability	Consistent fabric behavior throughout the roll Uniform appearance without density variations Balanced technical faces Even stretch in all directions	Precise heat setting for dimensional stability Controlled stentering for width consistency Appropriate surface treatments for enhanced hand Minimal chemical processing for sustainability

For the absolute best double knit jersey fabric, look for mills that specialize in this construction and maintain rigorous quality control throughout their production process. These specialized producers often offer proprietary variations that can become signature elements in your collection.

Enrich Choices, OEM/ODM Available, Custom Samples Invited

Single jersey fabric

Polo pique fabric

sweatshirt hoodie fabric

Bonded fabric

Rib fabric

Revolutionizing Textiles: The Power of Double Knit Fabric

Guide to

Double Knit Fabric: Everything You Need to Know

Types of Double Knit Fabrics

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