EP4596770A1

EP4596770A1 - Knitting method of knitted fabric, and knitted fabric

Info

Publication number: EP4596770A1
Application number: EP25154509.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yasutaka Okayama
Original assignee: Shima Seiki Mfg Ltd
Current assignee: Shima Seiki Mfg Ltd
Priority date: 2024-02-01
Filing date: 2025-01-28
Publication date: 2025-08-06
Also published as: JP2025119340A; CN120401108A; KR20250120197A

Abstract

Provided is a knitting method of a knitted fabric that enables a knitted fabric to be knitted in which an area with a stretch-stopping portion arranged therein is not noticeable when looking at the front face of the knitted fabric. A knitting method of a knitted fabric for knitting, using a flat knitting machine, a knitted fabric in which a stretch-stopping portion for suppressing stretching of the knitted fabric in a knitting width direction is knitted in an intermediate part of the knitted fabric in a wale direction, includes: a step A of knitting a first base portion being a part of the knitted fabric; a step B of knitting the stretch-stopping portion in at least a part of a termination stitch row of the first base portion; and a step C of knitting a second base portion continuous in the wale direction with the termination stitch row. In the step B, a joining stitch and a main stitch that constitute the stretch-stopping portion are knitted successively, and the joining stitch is placed on the termination stitch row.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a knitting method of a knitted fabric, and a knitted fabric.

Background Art

Patent Literature 1 discloses a knitting method of a knitted fabric in which a suppressing portion is knitted in an intermediate part of a kitted fabric in the wale direction. The suppressing portion is a stretch-stopping portion that suppresses stretching of the knitted fabric in the knitting width direction. In this knitting method of a knitted fabric, a first base portion, which is a part of the knitted fabric, is knitted, and then bind off processing is performed on a termination stitch row of the first base portion, and a new base stitch branching from the portion subjected to the bind off processing is formed. This process is repeated. The portion subjected to the bind off processing functions as the stretch-stopping portion. A stitch row constituted by a plurality of new base stitches functions as a starting point for knitting the remainder of the knitted fabric.

Citation List

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: WO 2014/174990

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

In Patent Literature 1, the bind off processing is performed to knit the stretch-stopping portion. Thus, when looking at the front face of the knitted fabric, the area with the stretch-stopping portion arranged therein may be noticeable. The front face of the knitted fabric refers to the face that faces outward when the knitted fabric is in use.
An object of the present invention is to provide a knitting method of a knitted fabric that enables a knitted fabric to be knitted in which the area with the stretch-stopping portion arranged therein is not noticeable when looking at the front face of the knitted fabric. Another object of the present invention is to provide a knitted fabric in which the area with the stretch-stopping portion arranged therein is not noticeable when looking at the front face of the knitted fabric.

Solution to Problem

<1> A knitting method a knitted fabric of an aspect of the present invention is
a knitting method of a knitted fabric for knitting, using a flat knitting machine, the knitted fabric in which a stretch-stopping portion for suppressing stretching of the knitted fabric in a knitting width direction is knitted in an intermediate part of the knitted fabric in a wale direction. The knitting method includes:
- a step A of knitting a first base portion being a part of the knitted fabric;
- a step B of knitting the stretch-stopping portion in at least a part of a termination stitch row of the first base portion; and
- a step C of knitting a second base portion continuous in the wale direction with the termination stitch row.

In the step B, the stretch-stopping portion is knitted by knitting a starting stitch serving as a starting point of the stretch-stopping portion and thereafter repeating a step X and a step Y in a first direction parallel with the termination stitch row, with the starting stitch being defined as a target stitch,

in the step X, knitting a joining stitch constituted by a pick up stitch or a tuck stitch and knitting a main stitch continuous in the wale direction with the target stitch are performed successively,
in the step Y, the main stitch is moved to an empty needle arranged in the first direction relative to an initial knitting position of the main stitch, and the main stitch is defined as a new target stitch, and

The starting stitch may be a stitch that knocks over a stitch in the termination stitch row, or a pick up stitch that is independent of the stitches in the termination stitch row, or a tuck stitch placed on a stitch in the termination stitch row.
The joining stitch in the step X may be a tuck stitch knitted by tucking the target stitch, or a pick up stitch formed on an empty needle. When tucking is performed in the step X, the joining stitch in the step X is knitted, and at the same time, the joining stitch is placed on the back side of a stitch in the termination stitch row. When the pick up stitch is knitted in the step X, the joining stitch is placed on the back side of the stitches of the termination stitch row after the step X. The operation of placing the joining stitch on the stitch in the termination stitch row may be performed immediately after the step X, or after the step Y Alternatively, the operation of placing the joining stitch on the stitch in the termination stitch row may be performed after the step X is performed a plurality of times. For example, after all repetitions of the step X and the step Y are finished, a plurality of joining stitches may be placed on stitches in the termination stitch row at a time. Here, the back side of stitches in the termination stitch row refers to the opposite side to the outer side of the knitted fabric. That is, the stretch-stopping portion is arranged in the back face of the knitted fabric. Either the joining stitch or the main stitch may be knitted first in the step X.
The initial knitting position stated in the step Y is the knitting position of the main stitch in the step X. In the step Y, the moved main stitch is defined as a new target stitch. Thus, when the step X and the step Y are repeated, the knitting positions of the joining stitch and the main stitch gradually move in the first direction, and the joining stitches are joined to different stitches arranged in the first direction in the termination stitch row.
<2> In the knitting method of a knitted fabric according to the above aspect <1>, in the step X, two or more main stitches continuous with each other in the wale direction may be knitted.
The step X is performed a plurality of times. In the knitting method of a knitted fabric according to the above aspect <2>, two or more main stitches are knitted successively in the wale direction in at least one of the plurality of times of the step X. The two or more main stitches successive in the wale direction may be knitted in every n-th time of step X out of a plurality of times of the step X, or the two or more main stitches successive in the wale direction may be knitted in every step X. An excessively large number of main stitches knitted successively in the wale direction in the step X may degrade the function of the stretch-stopping portion. It is therefore preferable that the number of main stitches knitted successively in the wale direction in the step X is four or less.
<3> In the knitting method of a knitted fabric according to the above aspect <1> or <2>, in the step X, the main stitch and the joining stitch may be knitted on needles adjacent to each other in the first direction.
<4> A knitted fabric of an aspect of the present invention includes:

a first base portion;
a second base portion continuous in a wale direction with a termination stitch row of the first base portion; and
a stretch-stopping portion for suppressing stretching of at least a part of the termination stitch row.

The stretch-stopping portion includes:

a main body portion arranged on a back side of the termination stitch row and constituted by a plurality of main stitches continuous with each other in a chain-like manner along a course direction of the termination stitch row; and
a plurality of joining stitches branching from the main body portion and placed on a back side of stitches in the termination stitch row, and

Effects of the Invention

In the knitting method of a knitted fabric of an aspect of the present invention, the termination stitch row is not subjected to bind off processing when knitting the stretch-stopping portion that suppresses stretching of the termination stitch row in the course direction. Thus, the knitting method of a knitted fabric of an aspect of the present invention enables a knitted fabric to be knitted in which the area with the stretch-stopping portion arranged therein is not noticeable when looking at the front face of the knitted fabric. Further, in the knitting method of a knitted fabric of an aspect of the present invention, the stretch-stopping portion is knitted, which is constituted by a plurality of main stitches serving to suppress stretching of the termination stitch row in the course direction, and a plurality of joining stitches, which join the plurality of main stitches to the termination stitch row. The plurality of main stitches are connected in a chain-like manner, and are arranged on the back side of the termination stitch row along the course direction of the termination stitch row. A plurality of main stitches regularly arranged in a chain-like manner has an excellent appearance. Thus, an aspect of the present invention enables a stretch-stopping portion to be knitted that has an excellent appearance even when looking at the back face of the knitted fabric.
The knitting method of the above aspect <2> allows adjustment of stretchability of the stretch-stopping portion in the wale direction. This facilitates adjustment of the degree of stretching of the termination stitch row using the stretch-stopping portion.
With the knitting method of the above aspect <3>, the stitches constituting the stretch-stopping portion become tight as a result of knitting the main stitch and the joining stitch with adjacent needles. This enhances the effect of the stretch-stopping portion suppressing stretching of the termination stitch row.
In the knitted fabric of the above aspect <4>, the joining stitches connecting the stretch-stopping portion to the termination stitch row of the first base portion are simply placed on the back side of the stitches in the termination stitch row, and do not apply a large load to the stitches in the termination stitch row. This makes it less likely that the joining stitches affect the stitch surface of the front face of the knitted fabric. Thus, when looking at the front face of the knitted fabric, the area with the stretch-stopping portion arranged therein is not noticeable, and the front face of the knitted fabric has an excellent appearance. Further, on the back side of the knitted fabric, the main body portion of the stretch-stopping portion that serves to suppress stretching of the termination stitch row is constituted by a plurality of main stitches that are regularly arranged, so that the stretch-stopping portion has an excellent appearance. Accordingly, the back face of the knitted fabric also has an excellent appearance.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a knitted garment having a collar, which is a knitted fabric according to Embodiment 1.
FIG. 2 is a knitting process diagram illustrating a knitted fabric knitting procedure according to Embodiment 1.
FIG. 3 is a loop diagram of the knitted fabric at a key point of a knitting process.

Description of Embodiments

Hereinafter, a knitting method of a knitted fabric according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 shows a sweater having a collar as an example of a knitted fabric 1 according to Embodiment 1. The sweater includes a body 2 having sleeves, and a collar 3 connected to the body 2 seamlessly. The body 2 includes a front body 2F and a back body 2B, which are connected in a tubular shape. The body 2 is knitted from a hem towards the collar 3. The collar 3 includes a front collar 3F that is continuous with a termination portion in the wale direction of the front body 2F, and a back collar 3B that is continuous with a termination portion in the wale direction of the back body 2B. The front collar 3F and the back collar 3B are connected in a tubular shape. The body 2 and the collar 3 may have different knitting structures or may have the same knitting structure.
There are cases where a neck hole of a sweater having the collar 3 expands due to, for example, the weight of the sleeves when the sweater is worn, depending on the material of knitting yarn. It is therefore preferable to suppress stretching of the boundary between the body 2 and the collar 3. In this example, a stretch-stopping portion 5 is knitted on a back face of the knitted fabric 1 at the boundary between the back body 2B and the back collar 3B using the knitting method of a knitted fabric of the present invention. The back face of the knitted fabric 1 in this example is a face that faces the inside of the sweater. The back body 2B and back collar 3B correspond to a first base portion 4 and a second base portion 6, respectively, in the knitting method of the present invention.
An example of a knitting process for the stretch-stopping portion 5 is described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. A flat knitting machine used in knitting is a two-bed flat knitting machine. The two-bed flat knitting machine includes a front needle bed and a back needle bed. Hereinafter, the front needle bed is denoted as FB, and the back needle bed is denoted as BB. The FB and the BB face each other. This flat knitting machine is equipped with a racking mechanism (not shown), and the FB and BB can be racked relative to each other. Unlike this example, the flat knitting machine used for knitting may alternatively be a four-bed flat knitting machine. The four-bed flat knitting machine includes a lower front needle bed, a lower back needle bed, an upper front needle bed, and an upper back needle bed. Needles provided in the flat knitting machine may be latch needles or compound needles.
FIG. 2 is a knitting process diagram. "S + numeric character" in the left column in FIG. 2 indicates a knitting step number. The right column shows the knitting state in each knitting step. A black point in the right column denotes a needle on the FB or the BB. A capital letter outside the columns denotes the location of a needle. The rightward arrow on the right side of the capital letters indicates a first direction D1. A circle mark in the right column indicates a stitch, a V-mark indicates a pick up stitch or a tuck stitch, and an inverted triangle mark indicates a feeder 9, which supplies a knitting yarn 9Y. The feeder 9 may be a feeder used to knit the body 2, or may be a different feeder. The knitting yarn 9Y may be the same type of knitting yarn as a knitting yarn constituting the body 2, or may be a different type of knitting yarn. In the knitting method of a knitted fabric in this example, the knitting of the body 2 and the knitting of the stretch-stopping portion 5 are completely independent of each other. Thus, considering the strength, appearance, and the like of the stretch-stopping portion 5, a knitting yarn different from the knitting yarn for knitting the body 2 can be used to knit the stretch-stopping portion 5. A black circle indicates a stitch knitted during the step in which this black circle is shown.
FIG. 3 is a loop diagram showing the state of stitches at a key point in the knitting process diagram shown in FIG. 2. "S + numeric character" in FIG. 3 corresponds to the knitting step number in FIG. 2. Needles indicated by black points in FIG. 3 are needles on the BB. Capital letters outside the columns in FIG. 3 correspond to the capital letters indicating the locations of the needles in FIG. 2.
Step S0 in FIG. 2 shows the state where the knitting of the body 2 (see FIG. 1) has finished. Stitches in a termination stitch row of the front body 2F are held on needles A, C, E, G, I, K, M, O, Q, and S on the FB. Stitches in a termination stitch row of the back body 2B are held on needles B, D, F, H, J, L, N, P, R, and T on the BB. The front body 2F and the back body 2B are knitted in a half-gauge state. The half-gauge state refers to a state where an empty needle is placed between adjacent stitches. The front body 2F and the back body 2B are connected in a tubular shape. Thus, in this example, the front faces of the front body 2F and the back body 2B are the faces that face outward of the tubular knitted fabric 1. The back faces of the front body 2F and the back body 2B are the faces that face inward of the tubular knitted fabric.
As already mentioned, the termination stitch row of the back body 2B in this example corresponds to a termination stitch row 40 of the first base portion 4. That is, step S0 shows the state where a step A in the knitting method of a knitted fabric of the present invention has finished. From step S1 onward in the following, the stretch-stopping portion 5 is knitted in at least a part of the termination stitch row 40 (equivalent to a step B).
In step S1, the feeder 9 is moved rightward, i.e., in the first direction D1 parallel with the termination stitch row 40, to knit a starting stitch 50, which is constituted by a pick up stitch, on the needle D of the FB. The starting stitch 50 is a stitch serving as a starting point of the stretch-stopping portion 5, i.e., the initial stitch of the stretch-stopping portion 5. Unlike this example, the starting stitch 50 may alternatively be formed by performing split knitting on a stitch held on the needle D of the BB.
Further, in step S1, the starting stitch 50 is moved to the needle E of the BB as indicated by a two-dot chain line. The needle E is a needle located on the side in the first direction D1 relative to the needle D of the FB on which the starting stitch 50 was knitted. In this example, the starting stitch 50 is defined as a target stitch 51. This definition is a conceptual definition, and the starting stitch 50 and the target stitch 51 are the same stitch.
In step S2, the feeder 9 is moved leftward of the needle D, and is then moved in the first direction D1 to successively knit a joining stitch 53 and a main stitch 52 (equivalent to a step X). The joining stitch 53 is a tuck stitch knitted by tucking a stitch 42 (see step S1) in the termination stitch row 40 that is held on the needle D of the BB (see also S2 in FIG. 3). The stitch 42 is a stitch in the termination stitch row 40 that is arranged near the target stitch 51. As a result of the tucking, the joining stitch 53 is placed on the back side of the stitch 42 at the same time as the knitting of the joining stitch 53. The main stitch 52 is a stitch continuous in the wale direction with the target stitch 51. Note that the joining stitch 53 knitted in step S2 may alternatively be a pick up stitch formed on an empty needle near the main stitch 52 (e.g., the needle D or F of the FB, or the needle C of the BB). The joining stitch 53, which is constituted by a pick up stitch, is placed on the back side of the stitch 42 by means of transferring.
The joining stitch 53 and the main stitch 52 become dense as a result of step S2 in which the joining stitch 53 and the main stitch 52 are knitted on the needles D and E adjacent to each other in the first direction D1. This enhances the effect of the stretch-stopping portion 5 suppressing stretching of the knitted fabric 1.
In step S3, the main stitch 52 is moved to the needle G of the BB, which is an empty needle arranged in the first direction D1 relative to the knitting position of the main stitch 52, and then the resulting main stitch 52 is defined as a new target stitch 51 (equivalent to a step Y). This definition is merely a conceptual definition, and the stitch held on the needle G of the BB is the main stitch 52, as shown in S3 of FIG. 3. Further, in step S3, the stitch adjacent on the left side to the newly defined target stitch 51 is defined as a stitch 42 close to the new the target stitch 51.
In step S4, the feeder 9 is moved leftward of the needle F, and is then moved in the first direction D1 to successively knit a joining stitch 53 and a main stitch 52 (equivalent to the step X for the second time). As shown in S4 in FIG. 3, the starting stitch 50 and the main stitch 52 are arranged on the back side of the termination stitch row 40. The starting stitch 50 can be considered as an initially knitted main stitch 52.
In step S5, the feeder 9 is moved leftward, and a new main stitch 52 is knitted continuous in the wale direction with the main stitch 52 knitted in step S4. That is, in steps S4 and S5, two main stitches 52 continuous with each other in the wale direction are knitted. Unlike this example, three or more main stitches 52 continuous with each other in the wale direction may be knitted.
After step S5, the knitting from step S2 to step S5 may be repeated. As a result, the stretch-stopping portion 5 shown in the upper part of FIG. 3 is knitted. As shown in this figure, the stretch-stopping portion 5 includes a plurality of main stitches 52 and a plurality of joining stitches 53. The plurality of main stitches 52 are connected in a chain-like manner along the course direction of the termination stitch row 40. That is, the wale direction of the plurality of main stitches 52 is parallel with the course direction of the termination stitch row 40. The portion constituted by the plurality of main stitches 52 is a main body portion 5M serving to suppress stretching of the termination stitch row 40. The main body portion 5M is arranged on the back side of the termination stitch row 40, but each of the main stitches 52 constituting the main body portion 5M does not form a double stitch with a knit loop of the termination stitch row 40.
Each of the joining stitches 53 in the stretch-stopping portion 5 is formed by the knitting yarn 9Y connecting two main stitches 52 that are continuous with each other in the wale direction of a plurality of main stitches 52. For example, the joining stitch 53 knitted on the needle F of the BB in step S4 in FIG. 2 is constituted by the knitting yarn 9Y connecting the main stitch 52 knitted in step S2 and the main stitch 52 knitted in step S4. Each joining stitch 53 is placed on the back side of a corresponding stitch in the termination stitch row 40. Thus, the plurality of main stitches 52 are connected to the termination stitch row 40 via the joining stitches 53. The portion constituted by the plurality of main stitches 52 can function to suppress stretching of the termination stitch row 40 as a result of the portion constituted by the plurality of main stitches 52 being connected to termination stitch row 40 via the joining stitches 53.
In the stretch-stopping portion 5 in this example, a unit in which one main stitch 52 is connected to a joining stitch 53 and a unit in which two main stitches 52 are connected to a joining stitch 53 are formed alternately, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 3. This allows proper adjustment of the degree of stretching of the termination stitch row 40 due to the stretch-stopping portion 5. The degree of stretching can be adjusted by changing the number of main stitches 52 constituting each unit.
After finishing the knitting of the stretch-stopping portion 5, the collar 3 shown in FIG. 1 is knitted continuously in the wale direction with the termination stitch rows of the front body 2F and the back body 2B shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the termination stitch row of the back body 2B is the termination stitch row 40 of the first base portion 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the joining stitches 53 are placed on the respective stitches in the termination stitch row 40. The joining stitches 53 are fixed to the termination stitch row 40 by knitting the second base portion 6 continuous with double stitches, i.e., the back collar 3B.
The above-described knitted fabric 1 includes the stretch-stopping portion 5, which is arranged on the inner side of the knitted fabric 1 and is invisible from outside when the knitted fabric 1 is worn. The stretch-stopping portion 5 is knitted independently of the body 2. During knitting of the main stitches 52 of the stretch-stopping portion 5, the stitches of the body 2 are not knitted at all, and are not even moved. Thus, the knitting of the main stitches 52 does not disrupt the stitch surface of body 2. Further, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 3, the joining stitches 53 connecting the stretch-stopping portion 5 to the termination stitch row 40 are simply placed on the back side of the termination stitch row 40, and do not apply a large load to the stitches in the termination stitch row 40. The joining stitches 53 is thus unlikely to affect the stitch surface of the area with the stretch-stopping portion 5 arranged therein. Therefore, the area with the stretch-stopping portion 5 arranged therein is not noticeable when looking at the front face of the knitted fabric 1, and the front side of the knitted fabric 1 has an excellent appearance.

List of Reference Numerals

1	Knitted fabric
2	Body,	2B	Back body,	2F	Front body
3	Collar,	3B	Back collar,	3F	Front collar
4	First base portion
40	Termination stitch row,	42	Stitch
5	Stretch-stopping portion
5M	Main body portion
50	Starting stitch,	51	Target stitch,	52	Main stitch,	53	Joining stitch
6	Second base portion
9	Feeder,	9Y	Knitting yarn
D1	First direction

Claims

A knitting method of a knitted fabric (1) for knitting, using a flat knitting machine, the knitted fabric (1) in which a stretch-stopping portion (5) for suppressing stretching of the knitted fabric (1) in a knitting width direction is knitted in an intermediate part of the knitted fabric (1) in a wale direction, the method characterized by:
a step A of knitting a first base portion (4) being a part of the knitted fabric (1);

a step B of knitting the stretch-stopping portion (5) in at least a part of a termination stitch row (40) of the first base portion (4); and

a step C of knitting a second base portion (6) continuous in the wale direction with the termination stitch row (40),

wherein in the step B, the stretch-stopping portion (5) is knitted by knitting a starting stitch (50) serving as a starting point of the stretch-stopping portion (5) and thereafter repeating a step X and a step Y in a first direction (D1) parallel with the termination stitch row (40), with the starting stitch (50) being defined as a target stitch (51),
in the step X, knitting a joining stitch (53) constituted by a pick up stitch or a tuck stitch and knitting a main stitch (52) continuous in the wale direction with the target stitch (51) are performed successively,

in the step Y, the main stitch (52) is moved to an empty needle arranged in the first direction (D 1) relative to an initial knitting position of the main stitch (52), and the main stitch (52) is defined as a new target stitch (51), and

the joining stitch (53) in the step X is placed on a back side of a stitch (42) in the termination stitch row (40) arranged near the target stitch (51) at the same time as or after the step X.
The knitting method according to claim 1,
wherein in the step X, two or more main stitches (52) continuous with each other in the wale direction are knitted.
The knitting method according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein in the step X, the main stitch (52) and the joining stitch (53) are knitted on needles adjacent to each other in the first direction (D1).
A knitted fabric (1) characterized by:
a first base portion (4);

a second base portion (6) continuous in a wale direction with a termination stitch row (40) of the first base portion (4); and

a stretch-stopping portion (5) for suppressing stretching of at least a part of the termination stitch row (40),

wherein the stretch-stopping portion (5) includes:
a main body portion (5M) arranged on a back side of the termination stitch row (40) and constituted by a plurality of main stitches (52) continuous with each other in a chain-like manner along a course direction of the termination stitch row (40); and

a plurality of joining stitches (53) branching from the main body portion (5M) and placed on a back side of stitches (42) in the termination stitch row (40), and

each of the joining stitches (53) is constituted by a knitting yarn connecting two of the main stitches (52) continuous with each other in the wale direction of the main body portion (5M).