"Investigating Semi-Fine Fabrics for Circular Knitting Machines: An In-Depth Study"

This paper examines the textile processing techniques for semi-fine textiles used in Circular Knitting machines.

Based on the production characteristics of circular knitting machines and the quality requirements for fabrics, we have established an internal quality control standard for semi-fine textiles and implemented a series of essential technical measures.

Key strategies include optimizing raw materials and their proportions, ensuring effective color matching and sampling prior to textile production, focusing on the pretreatment and blending of raw materials, enhancing carding equipment and processes, installing a self-leveling system, and utilizing advanced equipment and technologies. These steps are crucial to ensure that the textile quality meets the specifications required for yarn used in circular knitting machines.

It is anticipated that the use of semi-worsted yarn will enhance the value of products produced by circular knitting machines and expand the application range of semi-worsted yarns.

Semi-worsted yarn is an innovative type of yarn developed by researchers in China's wool and cotton textile industry. It is termed "semi-worsted" because it modifies the traditional processes used for wool worsted and woolen yarns, combining the strengths of both wool and cotton textile technologies. This results in a yarn that stands apart from conventional wool worsted and woolen products.

The production process for semi-worsted yarn is nearly 50% shorter than that of traditional wool worsted yarn, yet it can produce yarn of the same count, offering a fluffier and softer texture. In comparison to the woolen process, semi-worsted yarn boasts advantages such as finer yarn counts, consistent evenness, and a smooth surface finish. Consequently, its added value significantly surpasses that of woolen products, leading to its rapid growth in the Chinese market.

Currently, semi-worsted yarn is primarily utilized for sweater production on computer flat knitting machines. However, its application range is somewhat limited, which restricts product development opportunities. As consumer demands for clothing evolve, there is an increasing expectation for wool garments to be not only lightweight and stylish but also versatile enough for year-round wear and equipped with functional features.

In recent years, some companies have implemented two significant structural adjustments to the production of semi-worsted yarn. First, we have increased the incorporation of functional fibers into the semi-worsted raw materials, enabling the yarn to offer multiple functionalities that cater to consumer demand for versatile clothing options.

Second, we have broadened the applications of our yarn, expanding from a focus solely on sweater yarn to include Weft Knitting machine yarn and other areas. This allows for the production of weft-knitted large round woven fabrics suitable for a variety of garments, including not only undergarments and fitted clothing but also outerwear such as T-shirts, casual wear for both men and women, and knitted jeans.

Currently, most sweater products manufactured on computerized flat knitting machines utilize thicker strands, with a high proportion of wool fibers to emphasize the traditional wool aesthetic of the sweaters. In contrast, the knitting machines used for circular knitting typically employ single yarns. Given that wool fibers generally have lower strength, multi-fiber blended yarns are often used to enhance the strength and functional properties of the fabrics.

The yarn count for these products is thinner than that of sweater yarn, typically ranging from 7.0 tex to 12.3 tex, with a lower proportion of blended wool fibers, generally between 20% and 40%, and a maximum blending ratio of around 50%.