WO2023205990A1

WO2023205990A1 - Knit textile with zonal properties, methods of making same and apparel including the knit textile

Info

Publication number: WO2023205990A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/088913
Authority: WO
Inventors: Huayu FANG; Alexandra Gully; Jolynn J. SALYARDS; Lawrence YUN; Kamran DANESHVAR; Yishu LAI; Lichun HUANG
Original assignee: Nike Innovate C.V.; Nike, Inc.
Priority date: 2022-04-25
Filing date: 2022-04-25
Publication date: 2023-11-02
Also published as: TWM651379U; CN116949651A; TW202405272A; CN220665586U

Abstract

Aspects herein are directed to a knit textile (300) that has zonal properties based on the use of different knit constructions at different areas (312, 314) of the knit textile (300). The different knit constructions create, for example, knitted rib structures (316a, 316b, 316c, 316d; 318a, 318b, 318c) that extend in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile. The knitted rib structures (316a, 316b, 316c, 316d; 318a, 318b, 318c) may have varying heights in the z-direction of the knit textile as the knitted rib structures extend in a course-wise direction and/or may alternatively extend in a positive and negative wale-wise direction of the knit textile to create a wave form. In example aspects, the different knit constructions may be used to create zonal stretch properties, and zonal visual properties.

Description

KNIT TEXTILE WITH ZONAL PROPERTIES, METHODS OF MAKING SAME AND APPAREL INCLUDING THE KNIT TEXTILE

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects herein relate to knit textiles with zonal properties including zonal stretch properties, and zonal visual properties, articles of apparel formed from the knit textiles, and methods of manufacturing the knit textiles.

BACKGROUND

Traditional knit textiles may have a uniform construction or knitting pattern. As such, the resulting knit textile and articles of apparel made therefrom may lack, for instance, zonal properties such as zonal stretch properties, zonal permeability properties, and zonal visual properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of aspects herein are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example stitch diagram used to knit a first example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of an example knit structure used in the first example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of a knit textile incorporating the first example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a knit textile with a schematic depiction of the first example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of the first example knit construction and an associated visual effect in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example upper-body garment incorporating the first example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIGs. 7 and 8 respectively illustrate front and back views of an example lower-body garment incorporating the first example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method of manufacturing a knit textile having the first example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example stitch diagram used to knit a second example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic of an example knit structure used in the second example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 12 illustrates a portion of a knit textile incorporating the second example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 13 illustrates a portion of a knit textile incorporating the second example knit construction with different stretch zones in accordance with aspects herein;

FIGs. 14-16 illustrate different variations of a knitted rib structure having a wave form formed by the second example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-section of the second example knit construction and an associated visual effect in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 18 illustrates an example upper-body garment incorporating the second example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein;

FIGs. 19 and 20 respectively illustrate front and back views of an example lower-body garment incorporating the second example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein; and

FIG. 21 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method of manufacturing a knit textile having the second example knit construction in accordance with aspects herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.

At a high level, aspects herein are directed to a knit textile that has zonal properties based on the use of different knit constructions at different areas of the knit textile. The different knit constructions create, for example, knitted rib structures that extend in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile. The knitted rib structures may have varying heights in the z-direction of the knit textile as the knitted rib structures extend in a course-wise direction and/or may alternatively extend in a positive and negative wale-wise direction of the knit textile to create a wave form. In example aspects, the different knit constructions may be used to create zonal stretch properties, and zonal visual properties.

In a first example, a first knit construction may be used to create knitted rib structures that have a varying height in the z-direction as the knitted rib structure extends in a course-wise direction of the knit textile. The varying height of the knitted rib structure may be created by adjusting the number of intermediary knit courses over which a set of held stitches extends as the knitted rib structure extends in the course-wise direction. For example, the knitted rib structure may include a first knitted rib portion having a first height measured in the z-direction of the knit textile and a second knitted rib portion having a second height measured in the z-direction, where the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion share at least one common knit course. In one example aspect, the first height of the first knitted rib portion may be greater than the second height of the second knitted rib portion. This is achieved by extending the set of held stitches that form the first knitted rib portion over a greater number of intermediary knit courses compared to the second knitted rib portion.

In aspects, multiple knitted rib structures having varying heights may be formed at discrete areas of the knit textile as the knit textile is advanced in a knitting direction such that the multiple knitted rib structures are positioned adjacent to each other with one or more continuously knit courses separating adjacent knitted rib structures. In general, the discrete areas of the knit textile at which the multiple knitted rib structures having varying heights are located exhibit a greater resistance to stretch than areas of the knit textile without the multiple knitted rib structures having varying heights. This is because there is a greater density of held stitches and less continuously knit loops in the discrete areas, which reduces the amount of mechanical stretch in these areas due to fewer knit loops. In further example aspects, resistance to stretch is increased at areas of the knit textile where higher knitted rib portions are positioned adjacent to each other compared to areas of the knit textile where lower knitted rib portions are positioned adjacent to each other. In this example, there are fewer continuously knit courses positioned between adjacent higher rib portions compared to adjacent lower rib portions, which also reduces the amount of mechanical stretch due to fewer knit loops.

When the knit textile is incorporated into an article of apparel such as an upper-body garment or a lower-body garment, the knitted rib structures are oriented generally parallel to a vertical axis that extends from a neck opening to a waist opening with respect to an upper-body garment or that extends from a waist opening to a leg opening of a leg portion of a lower-body garment. At discrete areas of the article of apparel where the knitted rib structures having varying height are located, resistance to stretch is increased in a direction that is generally orthogonal to the vertical axis (i.e., in a horizontal direction when the articles of apparel are worn) . This may create wrap-around support for muscle groups during long duration athletic events (e.g., distance running) and reduce muscle vibration in these muscle groups. In example aspects, this may help to lessen muscle fatigue.

In a second example, a second knit construction may be used to form a knitted rib structure that extends in a course-wise direction of the knit textile and further alternately extends in a positive and negative wale-wise direction of the knit textile to create a wave form. The wave form may be created by offsetting in the positive and negative wale-wise direction the knit courses from which a set of held stitches extends and terminates as the knitted rib structure extends in the course-wise direction. In example aspects, and unlike the first knit construction, the number of intermediary knit courses over which the sets of held stitches extend may remain constant such that the knitted rib structure has a constant height in the z-direction.

In example aspects, multiple knitted rib structures having a wave form may be located at discrete areas of the knit textile. In example aspects, the discrete areas at which the knitted rib structures having the wave form are located may exhibit a visual property that is different from a visual property associated with remaining areas of the knit textile. In one example aspect, the knit textile may be knit in a repeating pattern comprising a first plurality of knit courses knit with a first yarn having a first color, a second plurality of knit courses knit with a second yarn having a second color, followed by a third plurality of knit courses knit with a third yarn having a third color, where the first, second, and third colors are different from each other. Because the knit structure used to form the knitted rib structures having the wave form offsets adjacent sets of courses from which sets of held stitches extend and terminate, the location of the first, second, and third colors on the knitted rib structure varies as the knitted rib structure extends in the course-wise direction. Thus, when the knit textile is viewed from a first viewing angle that is, for example, orthogonal to an x, y plane of the knit textile, different colors are visually presented by the knitted rib structure as the knitted rib structure extends in the course-wise direction. By contrast, remaining areas of the knit textile (e.g., areas of the knit textile without the knitted rib structures having the wave form) present the same color when viewed from the first viewing angle. The result is a zonal visual property that may cause distraction when viewed by an observer. This may be helpful in athletic competitions where the distraction caused by the article of apparel may affect competitor performance.

The amount of visual variation created by the knitted rib structure may be adjusted by varying the wave period between successive waves of the wave form, varying the wave amplitude of the waves in the wave form, and varying the tangential angle associated with the upstroke and the downstroke of a particular wave in the wave form.

When the knit textile is incorporated into an article of apparel such as an upper-body garment or a lower-body garment, the knitted rib structures are oriented generally parallel to a vertical axis that extends from a neck opening to a waist opening with respect to an upper-body garment or that extends from a waist opening to a leg opening of a leg portion of a lower-body garment. At discrete areas of the article of apparel where the knitted rib structures having the wave form are located, visual distraction is increased. In example aspects, the positioning of the discrete areas may be strategically adjusted to provide maximum distraction when the article of apparel is worn by an athlete and viewed by a competitor. In example aspects, the positioning of the discrete areas may be based on a particular athletic activity that the wearer is engaged in. For instance, positioning of the discrete areas on a garment worn by a sprint runner may be different from the positioning of the discrete areas on a garment worn by a wrestler. This may be due to the difference in the areas of the garment most often exposed to a competitor’s view when competing in an athletic event.

The term “knit textile” as used herein refers to a textile produced during a single knitting event. Aspects herein contemplate that the knit textile may be formed through a weft knitting process including, for example, circular knitting and flat knitting processes. The knit textile may be used to form one or more knit articles of apparel. The term “knit articles of apparel” as used herein refers to any type of article that may be worn by a wearer including, for example, upper-body garments, lower-body garments, extremity sleeves (e.g., calf sleeves, arm sleeves) , socks, uppers for shoes, gloves, hats, and the like.

Positional terms as used herein to describe a knit article of apparel are with respect to the knit article of apparel being worn as intended by a wearer standing upright. The term “inner-facing surface” means the surface of the knit article of apparel that is configured to face toward a skin surface of a wearer. In example aspects, the inner-facing surface may be the innermost-facing surface of the knit article of apparel. The term “outer-facing surface” means the surface of the knit article of apparel that faces away from the inner-facing surface and toward an external environment. In example aspects, the outer-facing surface may be the outermost-facing surface of the knit article of apparel. In accordance with aspects herein, the inner-facing surface may comprise the technical front of the knit textile and the outer-facing surface may comprise the technical back of the knit textile.

When the article of apparel is in the form of an upper-body garment, the term “front” means that portion of the garment that covers an upper front torso area of a wearer, and the term “back” means that portion of the garment that covers an upper back torso area of the wearer. The term “side” means that portion of the upper-body garment that covers the areas below the wearer’s axilla. When the article of apparel is in the form of a lower-body garment, the term “front” means that portion of the garment that covers a lower front torso area of the wearer and the front of at least a portion of the wearer’s legs. The term “back” means that portion of the garment that covers a lower back torso area of the wearer and the back of at least a portion of the wearer’s legs. The term “side” means that portion of the lower-body garment that covers the sides of the wearer’s lower torso and at least a portion of the sides of the wearer’s legs.

The term “knit course” as used herein refers to a predominantly horizontal row of knit loops in an upright textile as knit in a knitting direction that are produced by adjacent needles during the same knitting cycle. The knit course may comprise one or more stitch types such as a knit stitch in which consecutive knit loops are interlooped with each other (known herein as a “continuously knit course” or “continuously knit stitches” ) , a held stitch, a float stitch, a tuck stitch, a transfer stitch, and the like as these terms are known in the art of knitting. As used in this disclosure, a “held stitch” includes a stitch having stitch legs (or a stitch base) that interloop in a first knit course and a stitch head that interloops in a second knit course, wherein one or more intermediary knit courses are arranged between the first knit course and the second knit course. As a result, the limbs of a held stitch span the intermediary knit courses and are often elongated since the head of the held loop is not interlooped or intermeshed with the knit course that is successively arranged after the first knit course. Based on this definition of held stitch, a held stitch is generally created by holding the stitch loop in the needle for the one or more intermediary knit courses in a manner that avoids interlooping with the intermediary knit courses, before eventually interlooping with a stitch in the second knit course.

The term “wale” as used herein is a predominantly vertical column of intermeshed or interlooped knit loops, generally produced by the same needle at successive (but not necessarily all) courses or knitting cycles. The terms “horizontal” and “vertical” are relative to an upright textile as knit in which the heads of knit loops face toward the top of the textile and the course knit first is oriented toward the bottom of the textile. The term “course-wise direction” refers to a direction parallel to the direction of the knit courses, which may also be oriented along an x-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system. As such, the term “positive” and “negative” may be used with the term “course-wise direction” The term “wale-wise direction” refers to a direction orthogonal to the direction of the knit courses and/or parallel to the direction of the wales, which may also be oriented along a y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system. As such, the term “positive” and “negative” may be used with the term “wale-wise direction. ” The term “knitting direction” means the unidirectional direction in which the knit textile is advanced as the knit textile is knit on a knitting machine.

The yarns used to form the knit textile may include yarns formed from natural fibers/filaments (e.g., cotton, wool, silk, and the like) , yarns that includes synthetic fibers/filaments (e.g., polyester including recycled polyester, nylon, and the like) , or yarns that contains both natural fiber/filaments and synthetic fibers/filaments. The yarns used to form the knit textile may also include elastic yarns where the term “elastic” refers to the yarn’s ability to stretch to about 100%to about 200%of its original length and recover to approximately (e.g., within 5%to 10%) its original length after the stretching force is removed. In example aspects, the elastic yarn may be covered with other yarns such as polyester or nylon yarns.

The term “visually presents” or “visual effect” or “visual property” as used herein broadly means the visual impression created by different areas of the knit textile. This may be due to different characteristic of the yarns used to form the knit textile and the knitted rib structures described herein including differences in texture, denier, shine, color, and the like. With respect to the term “color, ” the term generally relates to a color of a material that may be afforded by dyes and/or colorants. Moreover, the term “color” when describing, for example, a yarn means an observable color of fibers/filaments that form the yarn. Such aspects contemplate that a color may be any color that may be afforded to a yarn using dyes, pigments, and/or colorants that are known in the art. As such, a yarn may be configured to have a color including, but not limited to red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, white, black, and shades thereof.

Aspects related to a color further contemplate determining if one color is different from another color. In these aspects, a color may comprise a numerical color value, which may be determined by using instruments that objectively measure and/or calculate color values of a color of an object by standardizing and/or quantifying factors that may affect a perception of a color. Such instruments include, but are not limited to spectroradiometers, spectrophotometers, and the like. Thus, aspects herein contemplate that a “color” of a yarn, a portion of the yarn, or a portion of the knit textile or the knitted rib structures formed from the yarn may comprise a numerical color value that is measured and/or calculated using spectroradiometers and/or spectrophotometers. Moreover, numerical color values may be associated with a color space or color model, which is a specific organization of colors that provides color representations for numerical color values, and thus, each numerical color value corresponds to a singular color represented in the color space or color model.

In these aspects, a color may be determined to be different from another color if a numerical color value of each color differs. Such a determination may be made by measuring and/or calculating a numerical color value of, for instance, a portion of a knitted rib structure having a first color with a spectroradiometer or a spectrophotometer, measuring and/or calculating a numerical color value of a different portion of the knitted rib structure having a second color with the same instrument (i.e., if a spectrophotometer was used to measure the numerical color value of the first color, then a spectrophotometer is used to measure the numerical color value of the second color) , and the like and comparing the numerical color value of the first color with the numerical color value of the second color. If the numerical color values are not equal, then the first color is different than the second color, and vice versa.

Further, it is also contemplated that a visual distinction between two colors may correlate with a percentage difference between the numerical color values of the first color and the second color, and the visual distinction will be greater as the percentage difference between the color values increases. Moreover, a visual distinction may be based on a comparison between colors representations of the color values in a color space or model. For instance, when a first color has a numerical color value that corresponds to a represented color that is black or navy and a second color has a numerical color value that corresponds to a represented color that is red or yellow, a visual distinction between the first color and the second color is greater than a visual distinction between a first color with a represented color that is red and a second color with a represented color that is yellow.

Tension-Modulus data as used herein may be measured using ASTM4964. Elongation at 15 maximum pounds may also be measured using ASTM4964. Unless indicated otherwise, all measurements provided herein are taken when the knit textile is at standard ambient temperature and pressure (298.15 K and 100 kPa) and the knit textile is in a resting state (e.g., an unstretched state) .

FIG. 1 depicts a portion of an example stitch diagram 100 used to knit a first knit construction that forms a knit textile with knitted rib structures having varying heights as the knitted rib structures extend in a course-wise direction. The stitch diagram 100 indicates a knitting direction 110, a positive and negative course-wise direction 112, and a positive and negative wale-wise direction 114. The small black circles indicate needles on a knitting machine. Knitted loops are indicated by larger black circles around the small black circles, and held stitches are indicated by white circles around the small black circles. The stitch diagram 100 is illustrative only and is meant to convey what types of knit structures may be used to form knitted rib structures having varying heights. The number of intermediary knit courses over which a held stitch extends or spans, the difference in the number of intermediary knit courses between adjacent sets of held stitches, the number of continuously knit courses separating adjacent knitted rib structures, and the like, may vary from that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 depicts, for example, a first knit construction 105. The first knit construction 105 includes a first knit structure 116 that includes a first knit course 118 and a second knit course 120 that is coupled to the first knit course 118 by a first set of held stitches 122. The first set of held stitches 122 spans a first set of intermediary knit courses 124, which in the example shown in FIG. 1 includes eight intermediary knit courses. FIG. 1 further depicts a second knit structure 125 that includes a third knit course 126 and a fourth knit course 128 that is coupled to the third knit course 126 by a second set of held stitches 130. The third knit course 126 is offset from the first knit course 118 in a positive wale-wise direction by one or more continuously knit courses. The fourth knit course 128 is offset from the second knit course 120 in a negative wale-wise direction by one or more continuously knit courses. Offsetting the third and

fourth knit courses

126 and 128 in the opposite direction (e.g., in the positive and negative wale-wise direction respectively) contributes to the formation of a knitted rib portion having a smaller height than the knitted rib portion formed by the first and

second knit courses

118 and 120. The second set of held stitches 130 spans a second set of intermediary knit courses 132, which in the example shown in FIG. 2 includes four intermediary knit courses. As depicted, the first set of intermediary knit courses 124 and the second set of intermediary knit courses 132 share at least one common knit course such as knit course 134.

In the first knit course 118, the legs of a held stitch in the first set of held stiches 122 is separated from the legs of an adjacent held stitch in the first set of held stitches 122 by a knit stitch that forms a wale such as wale 136, where the wale 136 extends between the first knit course 118 and the second knit course 120. Similarly, in the third knit course 126, the legs of a held stitch in the second set of held stitches 130 is separated from the legs of an adjacent held stitch in the second set of held stitches 130 by a knit stitch that forms a wale such as wale 138, where the wale 138 extends between the third knit course 126 and the fourth knit course 128.

The first set of held stitches 122 functions to tension the first knit course 118 and the second knit course 120 toward each other such that the wales 136 extend outward (i.e., in the z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile) from a technical back of the knit textile to form a first knitted rib portion of a knitted rib structure. Similarly, the second set of held stitches 130 functions to tension the third knit course 126 and the fourth knit course 128 toward each other such that the wales 138 extend outward from the technical back of the knit textile to form a second knitted rib portion of the knitted rib structure. Because the wales 136 have a greater width in the wale-wise direction 114 before being tensioned compared to the wales 138, the wales 136 extend farther outward in the z-direction compared to the wales 138 when tensioned. As such, the first knitted rib portion of the knitted rib structure has a greater height in the z-direction compared to the second knitted rib portion of the knitted rib structure.

The stitch diagram 100 further depicts an additional knit construction 140 having the same knitting sequence as the first knit construction 105. Although shown as being aligned with the first knit construction 105 in the wale-wise direction 114, it is contemplated herein that the additional knit construction 140 may be offset from the first knit construction 105 in one of the positive or negative course-wise direction 112. The additional knit construction 140 is offset from the first knit construction 105 in the knitting direction 110 by a plurality of continuously knit courses 142. The number of knit courses in the plurality of continuously knit courses 142 may vary such that the additional knit construction 140 may be spaced apart from the first knit construction 105 by varying amounts in the knitting direction 110. Further additional knit constructions having the same or similar knitting sequences as the

knit constructions

105 and 140 may be formed and offset from adjacent knit constructions by a plurality of knit courses such that the different knit constructions are “stacked” in the knitting direction. As will be described further below, areas of a knit textile having this “stacked” configuration of knitted rib structures may exhibit a greater resistance to stretch than areas of the knit textile having a different knit construction. This is because there is a greater density of held stitches and less continuously knit loops in these areas, which reduces the amount of mechanical stretch in these areas due to fewer knit loops.

In example aspects, and as shown in FIG. 1, a knit textile formed using the stitch diagram 100 may be knit to have a repeating pattern of colored stripes. For example, as shown in the color block at the right of the stitch diagram 100, the knit textile may be knit in a repeating pattern comprising a first plurality of knit courses knit with a yarn of a first color 150 to form a first color block, a second plurality of knit courses knit with a yarn of a second color 152 to form a second color block, followed by a third plurality of knit courses knit with a yarn of a third color 154 to form a third color block, where each of the first, second, and third colors are different. This is illustrative, and it is contemplated herein, that the knit textile may be knit with stripes of additional colors, or there may fewer color blocks than shown. For example, the knit textile may be knit having alternating stripes of two different colors, or the knit textile may be knit to have a solid color (i.e., just one colored yarn is used to knit the knit textile) .

In example aspects, each of the first and the

additional knit constructions

105 and 140 may be positioned such that a knit course that generally forms a course-wise midline of the first and the

additional knit constructions

105 and 140 is generally located within a particular color block. For example, in FIG. 1, the knit course that is positioned at a course-wise midline of each of the first and the

additional knit constructions

105 and 140 is positioned within the second color 152. By positioning the first and the

additional knit constructions

105 and 140 as described, the top portions of the knitted rib structures formed by the first and the

additional knit constructions

105 and 140 visually present the second color 152 when the knit textile is viewed from a first viewing angle that is generally orthogonal to the x, y plane of the knit textile. Stated differently, the second color 152 is presented at the top portion of the knitted rib structure such that it is visible when viewed from the first viewing angle. The first color 150 and the third color 154 may be visually presented when viewed from respective second and third visual angles that are not orthogonal to the x, y plane of the knit textile.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic of an example knit structure 200 used in the first example knit construction 105. The knit structure 200 is illustrative only, and it is contemplated that the knit structure 200 may include additional features not shown. The knit structure 200 includes a first knit course 210, which generally corresponds to the first knit course 118 of FIG. 1. The first knit course 210 includes the legs of a first set of held stitches 212, which generally correspond to the first set of held stitches 122 of FIG. 1. The first knit course 210 further includes knit stitches 214, where the legs of each held stitch in the first set of held stitches 212 are separated from each other by a knit stitch 214. The knit structure 200 further includes a second knit course 216, which generally corresponds to the second knit course 120 of FIG. 1. The second knit course 216 includes the heads of the first set of held stitches 212. The second knit course 216 further includes knit stitches 218, where the heads of each held stitch in the first set of held stitches are separated from each other by a knit stitch 218.

The limbs of the first set of held stitches 212 span a first set of intermediary knit courses 220. Each intermediary knit course in the first set of intermediary knit courses 220 extends as a float stitch, such as float stitch 211, as it passes under (or over) the limbs of a held stitch in the first set of held stitches 212, and then forms a knit stitch, such as knit stitch 222, where the knit stitch 222 is positioned between adjacent held stitches in the first set of held stitches 212. The knit stitches 222 in the first set of intermediary knit courses 220 interloop with each other and with the knit stitches 214 in the

first knit course

210 and 218 in the second knit course 216 to form a wale, such as wale 224 that extends from the first knit course 210 to the second knit course 216. As previously discussed with respect to FIG. 1, the first set of held stitches 212 tensions the first knit course 210 and the second knit course 216 toward each other such that the wales 224 extend outward from the technical back to form a first knitted rib portion.

The example knit structure 200 further includes a third knit course 226, which may correspond to the third knit course 126 of FIG. 1. In example, aspects, the third knit course 226 is offset from the first knit course 210 in the knitting direction, which corresponds to a positive wale-wise direction. The third knit course 226 includes the legs of a second set of held stitches 228, which generally correspond to the second set of held stitches 130 of FIG. 1. The third knit course 226 further includes knit stitches 230, where the legs of each held stitch in the second set of held stitches 228 are separated from each other by a knit stitch 230. The knit structure 200 further includes a fourth knit course 232, which generally corresponds to the fourth knit course 128 of FIG. 1. The fourth knit course 232 is offset from the second knit course 216 in a negative wale-wise direction. The fourth knit course 232 includes the heads of the second set of held stitches 228. The fourth knit course 232 further includes knit stitches 234, where the heads of each held stitch in the second set of held stitches 228 are separated from each other by a knit stitch 234.

The limbs of the second set of held stitches 228 span a second set of intermediary knit courses 236. Each intermediary knit course in the second set of intermediary knit courses 236 extends as a float stitch, such as float stitch 237, as it passes under (or over) the limbs of a held stitch in the second set of held stitches 228, and then forms a knit stitch, such as knit stitch 238, where the knit stitch 238 is positioned between adjacent held stitches in the second set of held stitches 228. The knit stitches 238 in the second set of intermediary knit courses 236 interloop with each other and with the knit stitches 230 in the third knit course 226 and the knit stitches 234 in the fourth knit course 232 to form a wale, such as wale 240 that extends from the third knit course 226 to the fourth knit course 232. The second set of held stitches 228 tensions the third knit course 226 and the fourth knit course 232 toward each other such that the wales 240 extend outward from the technical back of the knit textile to form a second knitted rib portion. Because the number of intermediary knit courses in the first set of intermediary knit courses 220 is greater than the number of intermediary knit courses in the second set of intermediary knit courses 236, the wales 224 have a larger width in the wale-wise direction when not tensioned compared to the wales 240. As such, the first knitted rib portion has a larger height in the z-direction when tensioned as compared to the second knitted rib portion.

The knit structure shown in FIG. 2 further demonstrates how the knitted rib structure is not formed by the knitting technique known as “short rowing” where a reciprocating action of the knitting machine turns a knit course before reaching the end of the knitting cycle (i.e., the knit course is not fully knitted) . In contrast, the knit structure 200 includes a same number of knit courses in the wale-wise direction throughout the knit structure 200. Stated differently, each knit course in the knit structure 200 is fully knitted.

FIG. 3 depicts a knit textile 300 that includes discrete areas having knitted rib structures of varying heights as the knitted rib structures extend in a course-wise direction of the knit textile 300. The knitted rib structures having varying heights may be formed using, for example, the first knit construction 105 depicted in the stitch diagram 100 of FIG. 1. The knit textile 300 extends in an x, y plane as defined by the Cartesian coordinate system shown in FIG. 3, and the knitted rib structures extend in a positive z-direction as defined by the Cartesian coordinate system. In example aspects, the knit textile 300 may include a plurality of base ribs 310 extending in a course-wise direction and having a constant height. As used throughout this disclosure, the term “base ribs” refers to ribs having a generally constant height and width as the base ribs extend linearly in the course-wise direction. In example aspects, the base ribs 310 may be formed by holding a set of held stitches over a minimum number of intermediary knit courses such as, for example, from about two to about four intermediary knit courses.

The knit textile 300 may further include discrete areas such as discrete area 312 and discrete area 314 that includes knitted rib structures having varying heights formed using, or instance, the first knit construction 105. With respect to, for example, the discrete area 312, four

knitted rib structures

316a, 316b, 316c, and 316d are positioned adjacent to each other in the knitting direction. Although each of the four

knitted rib structures

316a, 316b, 316c, and 316d are depicted as being aligned in the wale-wise direction, it is contemplated herein that the

knitted rib structures

316a, 316b, 316c, and 316d may be offset from each other in the positive or negative course-wise direction. Further, although the

knitted rib structures

316a, 316b, 316c, and 316d are depicted as having generally the same shape/height features, it is contemplated herein that the

knitted rib structures

316a, 316b, 316c, and 316d may have varying shapes/heights with respect to each other. The

knitted rib structures

316a, 316b, 316c, and 316d are separated from each other by a plurality of continuously knit courses 318a, 318b, and 318c. The number of knit courses in each of knit courses 318a, 318b, and 318c may vary such that the wale-wise distance between each of the knitted

rib structures

316a, 316b, 316c, and 316d may vary. Alternatively, the number of knit courses in each of knit courses 318a, 318b, and 318c may be the same such that the wale-wise distance between each of the knitted

rib structures

316a, 316b, 316c, and 316d is generally the same. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

As depicted, the height of each of the knitted

rib structures

316a, 316b, 316c, and 316d gradually increases and then decreases as the

knitted rib structures

316a, 316b, 316c, and 316d extend in the positive course-wise direction. This may prevent bunching or shirring of the knit material that would occur if a knitted rib structure having a large height was formed first.

As described above, because held stitches spanning a variable number of intermediary knit courses are used to form the knitted rib structures having varying heights, the density of interlooped knit loops (i.e., continuously knit stitches) is generally less in the

discrete areas

312 and 314 compared to, for example, area 320 which includes the plurality of base ribs 310 having a constant height. Because there are less knit loops in the

discrete areas

312 and 314, mechanical stretch is reduced in the

discrete areas

312 and 314. Stated differently, there is a greater resistance to stretch or a greater modulus in the

discrete areas

312 and 314 compared to the area 320. In some example aspects, the tension-modulus in the area 320, which may form a first stretch zone, at 40%stretch may be from about 4 to about 6 pounds (lbs) in the length direction (e.g., the wale-wise direction) . The term “about” as used herein means within ± 10%of an indicated value. Elongation at the area 320 may be from about 55%to about 65%, or from about 60%to about 62%in the length or wale-wise direction. In contrast, the tension-modulus at area 322 located in discrete area 314, which has the same dimensions as the area 320 and may be known as a second stretch zone, at 40%stretch may be from about 6.1 lbs to about 8 lbs, or from about 6.5 lbs to about 7.5 lbs in the length or wale-wise direction. Elongation at the area 322 may be from about 40%to about 52%, or from about 44%to about 51%in the length or wale-wise direction.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a knit textile 400 and is provided to illustrate how the knitted rib structures formed using the first knit construction 105 are arranged such that the knitted rib structures gradually increase in height and then decrease in height to reduce fabric bunching or shirring. The schematic depicts the knit textile 400 in an un-tensioned state to give an indication of the width of the held stitch areas. The knit textile 400 includes a plurality of base ribs 410 that have a constant height, or, as shown in FIG. 4, a constant width. In example aspects, the plurality of base ribs 410 may be formed by extending a set of held stitches over, for example, from about two to about four intermediary knit courses.

With respect to, for example, knitted rib structure 412, the knitted rib structure 412 may include a first knitted rib portion 412a in which the set of held stitches extends over, for example, six intermediary knit courses, a second knitted rib portion 412b in which a set of held stitches extends over eight intermediary knit courses, a third knitted rib portion 412c in which a set of held stitches extends over ten intermediary knit courses, a fourth knitted rib portion 412d in which a set of held stitches extends over eight intermediary knit courses, and a fifth knitted rib portion 412e in which a set of held stitches extends over six intermediary knit courses. This is schematically depicted in FIG. 4 by increasing and decreasing the width of the different knitted rib portions in the wale-wise direction. When this construction is translated to an actual knit textile, the widest portions, such as third knitted rib portion 412c would have the greatest height, the second and fourth

knitted rib portions

412b and 412d would have the next greatest height, and the first and fifth

knitted rib portions

412a and 412e would have the smallest height in the resulting knitted rib structure. By tapering the knitted rib structure 412 at its beginning and end, the gathering of fabric material by the set of held stitches is gradually increased and then decreased which creates a smooth transition and avoids fabric bunching.

FIG. 4 further depicts another functional feature associated with the knitted rib structures having varying heights created using the first knit construction 105. As depicted in FIG. 4, when multiple knitted rib structures are “stacked” in the knitting direction, there are a greater number of continuously knit courses positioned between “thinner” knitted rib portions as compared to “wider” knitted rib portions. For example, there is a greater number of continuously knit courses 418 between

knitted rib portions

414 and 416 compared to a number of continuously knit courses 424 between

knitted rib portions

420 and 422. Because there are more interlooped knit loops in, for example, area 426 compared to area 428, which has the same dimensions as the area 426, the resistance to stretch is less in the area 426 compared to the area 428. Thus, resistance to stretch may vary along the course-wise length of a plurality of knitted rib structures positioned adjacent to each other in the knitting direction.

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-section of a knit textile 500 having a plurality of knitted rib structures with varying heights in the z-direction and is provided to illustrate how different portions or sides of the knitted rib structures visually present a consistent color when viewed from a particular viewing angle. The knit textile 500 includes, for example, knitted

rib structures

510, 512, and 514 that have decreasing heights from left to right when viewing FIG. 5. FIG. 5 further depicts a base rib 516 such as the base rib 310 of FIG. 3.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the knit textile 500 is knit according to the color pattern shown in FIG. 1 which includes the first plurality of knit courses knit with a first yarn having the first color 150 to form a first color block, a second plurality of knit courses knit with a second yarn having a second color 152 to form a second color block, followed by a third plurality of knit courses knit with a third yarn having a third color 154 to form a third color block. As described with respect to FIG. 1, in example aspects, a knit course that forms an approximate course-wise midline of the knitted

rib structures

510, 512, and 514 and the base rib 516 may be consistently located at a same location on a particular color block. For example, and as shown in FIGs. 1 and 5, the approximate course-wise midline of the knitted

rib structures

510, 512, and 514 and the base rib 516 all fall within the same color block of the second color 152.

Because of this construction, the second color 152 is visually presented or is visible at the top portion (or the highest portion) of the knitted

rib structures

510, 512, and 514, and the base rib 516 when viewed from a first viewing angle 518 that is generally orthogonal or directly above the surface plane of the knit textile 500. This is because the second color 152 is consistently positioned on the top portion of the knitted

rib structures

510, 512, and 514, and the base rib 516 regardless of the height of the structure. When the knit textile 500 is viewed from a second viewing angle 520, which is from a first side of the knit textile 500, the third color 154 is visually presented or visible as the third color 154 is consistently located on a first side portion of the knitted

rib structures

510, 512, and 514, and the base rib 516 regardless of the height of the structure. When the knit textile 500 is viewed from a third viewing angle 522, which is from an opposite second side of the knit textile 500, the first color 150 is visually presented or visible as the first color 150 is consistently located on a second side portion of the knitted

rib structures

510, 512, and 514, and the base rib 516 regardless of the height of the structure. The result is that the knit textile 500 presents a consistent first visual effect (e.g., the second color 152) when viewed from the first viewing angle 518 regardless of the height of the knitted rib structures and the

base rib

510, 512, 514, and 516, a consistent second visual effect (e.g., the first color 150) when viewed from the second viewing angle 520 regardless of the height of the knitted rib structures and the

base rib

510, 512, 514, and 516, and a consistent third visual effect (e.g., the third color 154) when viewed from the third viewing angle 522 regardless of the height of the knitted rib structures and the

base rib

510, 512, 514, and 516.

The knit textiles described herein that incorporate the knitted rib structures having varying heights, such as the knit textile 300, may be incorporated into different articles of apparel. When incorporated into an article of apparel, the knit textile is oriented so that the knit courses generally run vertically, and the knit wales run horizontally. This is generally done to orient the greater stretch characteristics of the knit textile in the wale-wise direction with the greater need for horizontal stretch (e.g., across the body) in apparel compared to vertical stretch in apparel. Moreover, as described, the use of the knitted rib structures formed using the first knit construction 105 increases the resistance to stretch in at least the wale-wise direction. By orienting the knit textile on the article of apparel so that the wales run horizontally, the low-stretch zones formed by the knitted rib structure can be oriented to “wrap-around” muscle groups in a cross-body direction, which provides enhanced support to these muscles.

FIG. 6 depicts an example upper-body garment 600 in the form of a tank. The depiction of the garment 600 in the form of a tank is illustrative only, and it is contemplated herein that the garment 600 may be in the form of a shirt with sleeves including long sleeves, a hoodie, a singlet, and the like. The upper-body garment 600 includes a front torso portion 605 and a back torso portion (not shown) that together define a neck opening 610, a waist opening 612, a first sleeve opening 614, and an opposite second sleeve opening 616. A hypothetical vertical axis 618 extends from the neck opening 610 to the waist opening 612.

All or portions of the upper-body garment 600 may be formed from the knit textile having knitted rib structures of varying heights such as the knit textile 300. As such, the upper- body garment 600 includes a plurality of base ribs 620 that extend substantially parallel (i.e., within ± 15 degrees of parallel) to the vertical axis 618. The upper-body garment 600 further includes discrete areas such as discrete area 622 and discrete area 624 that includes knitted rib structures of varying heights such as the knitted ribbed structure 626 and the knitted rib structure 628. The

knitted rib structures

626 and 628 are also oriented substantially parallel to the vertical axis 618. The positioning of the

discrete areas

622 and 624 of the knitted ribbed structures may be selected based on muscle vibration body maps of the human body. Because the

discrete areas

622 and 624 exhibit an increased resistance to stretch, they may be positioned to overlie areas of the human body that exhibit increased muscle vibration or movement during exercise. The increased resistance to stretch in the

discrete areas

622 and 624 may act to support muscle groups that exhibit moderate to high amounts of muscle vibration or movement and, thus, may help to reduce muscle fatigue due to vibration. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the

discrete areas

622 and 624 may be positioned to overlie the abdominal muscles of a wearer and help support these muscles. The positioning of the

discrete areas

622 and 624 is illustrative, and it is contemplated herein that the upper-body garment 600 may include additional discrete areas located at different portions of the upper-body garment 600 including the back torso portion of the upper-body garment 600.

FIGs. 7 and 8 respectively depict front and back views of a lower-body garment 700. Although shown as a short, it is contemplated herein that the lower-body garment 700 may be in the form of a pant, a legging, a capri, and the like. The lower-body garment 700 includes a front torso portion 710 and a back torso portion 800 (shown in FIG. 8) that define a waist opening 712. The lower-body garment further includes a first leg portion 714 with a first leg opening 716, and a second leg portion 718 with a second leg opening 720. A hypothetical vertical axis 722 is shown extending from the waist opening 712 through the first leg opening 716.

All or portions of the lower-body garment 700 may be formed from the knit textile having knitted rib structures of varying heights such as the knit textile 300. As such, the lower-body garment 700 includes a plurality of base ribs 724 that extend substantially parallel (i.e., within ± 15 degrees of parallel) to the vertical axis 722. The lower-body garment 700 further includes discrete areas such as

discrete areas

726, 728, 730, 732, 734, and 736 that include knitted rib structures of varying heights such as, for instance, the knitted ribbed structure 740 and the knitted rib structure 810. The knitted rib structures, such as the

knitted rib structures

740 and 810 are also oriented substantially parallel to the vertical axis 722. The positioning of the

discrete areas

726, 728, 730, 732, 734, and 736 of the knitted ribbed structures may be selected based on muscle vibration body maps of the human body. Because the

discrete areas

726, 728, 730, 732, 734, and 736 exhibit an increased resistance to stretch, they may be positioned to overlie areas of the human body that exhibit increased muscle vibration or movement during exercise. The increased resistance to stretch in the

discrete areas

726, 728, 730, 732, 734, and 736 may act to support muscle groups that exhibit moderate to high amounts of muscle vibration or movement and, thus, may help to reduce muscle fatigue due to vibration. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the

discrete areas

726, 728, 730, 732, 734, and 736 may be positioned to overlie the quadriceps muscles, the gluteal muscles, and the hamstring muscles and help support these muscles. The positioning of the

discrete areas

726, 728, 730, 732, 734, and 736 is illustrative, and it is contemplated herein that the lower-body garment 700 may include additional discrete areas located at different portions of the lower-body garment 700.

In example aspects, the location of the discrete areas with knitted rib structures having varying heights on an article of apparel may act as a visual indicator to a consumer of where high stretch resistance zones are located. Because these stretch resistant zones may vary on an article of apparel according to, for example, an intended athletic activity for which the article of apparel is to be worn, the visual indicators may easily allow a consumer to select a garment that fits their particular support needs.

FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of an example method 900 of manufacturing a knit textile having knitted rib structures of varying height as described herein. At a step 910, a first knit structure such as the first knit structure 116 of FIG. 1 is formed. For example, at a first sub-step 912, a first set of stitches is formed in a first knit course such as the first knit course 118, where the first set of stitches includes knit stitches and legs of a first set of held stitches, such as the first set of held stitches 122.

At a second sub-step 914, a first set of intermediary knit courses such as the first set of intermediary knit courses 124 is formed while holding the first set of held stitches. At a third sub-step 916, a second set of stitches is formed in a second knit course such as the second knit course 120. The second set of stitches includes knit stitches and the heads of the first set of held stitches. The first set of held stitches spans the first set of intermediary knit courses.

At a step 918, a second knit structure such as the second knit structure 125 of FIG. 1 is formed. For example, at a first sub-step 920, a third set of stitches is formed in a third knit course such as the third knit course 126. The third set of stitches includes knit stitches and the legs of a second set of held stitches such as the second set of held stitches 130. At a second sub-step 922, a second set of intermediary knit courses such as the second set of intermediary knit courses 132 is formed while holding the second set of held stitches. The second set of intermediary knit courses shares at least a common knit course with the first set of intermediary knit courses. At a third sub-step 924, a fourth set of stitches is formed in a fourth knit course such as the fourth knit course 128. The fourth set of stitches includes knit stitches and the heads of the second set of held stitches. The second set of held stitches spans the second set of intermediary knit courses. In aspects, the first set of intermediary knit courses includes a different number of knit courses than the second set of intermediary knit courses.

Aspects herein also contemplate use of a second knit construction that forms a knit textile having discrete areas with knitted rib structures that form a wave form as the knitted rib structures extend in a course-wise direction. As described, when the knit textile is knit to have stripes of different colors, the use of knitted rib structures that form a wave form creates areas of visual distraction which may provide a competitive advantage in athletic activities. In example aspects, the knit textile may include only discrete areas having knitted rib structures of varying height formed by the first knit construction, only discrete areas having knitted rib structures having a wave form formed by the second knit construction, or discrete areas having knitted rib structures of varying height formed by the first knit construction and discrete areas having knitted rib structures having a wave form formed by the second knit construction.

FIG. 10 depicts a portion of an example stitch diagram 1000 used to knit a second knit construction that forms a knit textile with knitted rib structures having a wave form as the knitted rib structures extend in a course-wise direction. The stitch diagram 1000 indicates a knitting direction 1010, a positive and negative course-wise direction 1012, and a positive and negative wale-wise direction 1014. The small black circles indicate needles on a knitting machine. Knitted loops are indicated by large black circles around the small black circles, and held stitches are indicated by white circles around the small black circles. The stitch diagram 1000 is illustrative only and is meant to convey what types of knit structures may be used to form knitted rib structures having a wave form. The number of intermediary knit courses over which a held stitch extends or spans, the number of continuously knit courses separating adjacent knitted rib structures, and the like, may vary from that shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 depicts, for example, a second knit construction 1005. The second knit construction 1005 includes a first knit structure 1016 that includes a first knit course 1018 and a second knit course 1020 that is coupled to the first knit course 1018 by a first set of held stitches 1022. The first set of held stitches 1022 spans a first set of intermediary knit courses 1024, which, in the example shown in FIG. 10 includes four intermediary knit courses.

FIG. 10 further depicts a second knit structure 1025 that includes a third knit course 1026 and a fourth knit course 1028 that is coupled to the third knit course 1026 by a second set of held stitches 1030. The third knit course 1026 is offset from the first knit course 1018 in a negative wale-wise direction by a single knit course. Similarly, the fourth knit course 1028 is offset from the second knit course 1020 in the negative wale-wise direction by a single knit course. Offsetting the third and

fourth knit courses

1026 and 1028 in the same direction (e.g., the negative walewise direction) helps to create the wave form. Offsetting the third and

fourth knit courses

1026 and 1028 from the first and second knit courses 1018 and 1020 by a single knit course helps to create a smooth curve to the wave form. Aspects herein contemplate that the third and

fourth knit courses

1026 and 1028 may be offset from the first and second knit courses 1018 and 1020 by more than one knit course. The second set of held stitches 1030 spans a second set of intermediary knit courses 1032, which also includes four intermediary knit courses. Having the first set of intermediary knit courses 1024 include the same number of knit courses as the second set of intermediary knit courses 1032 ensures that the different knitted rib portions of the wave form have a consistent height in a z-direction. Aspects herein also contemplate varying the number of knit courses in the first and second sets of intermediary knit courses 1024 and 1032 (e.g., similar to the first knit construction 105) to produce a wave form having a varying height. As depicted, the first and second sets of

intermediary knit courses

1024 and 1032 share at least one common knit course.

In the first knit course 1018, the legs of a held stitch in the first set of held stiches 1022 are separated from the legs of an adjacent held stitch in the first set of held stitches 1022 by a knit stitch that forms a wale such as wale 1036, where the wale 1036 extends between the first knit course 1018 and the second knit course 1020. Similarly, in the third knit course 1026, the legs of a held stitch in the second set of held stitches 1030 are separated from the legs of an adjacent held stitch in the second set of held stitches 1030 by a knit stitch that forms a wale such as wale 1038, where the wale 1038 extends between the third knit course 1026 and the fourth knit course 1028.

The first set of held stitches 1022 functions to tension the first knit course 1018 and the second knit course 1020 toward each other such that the wales 1036 extend outward (i.e., in the z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile) from a technical back of the knit textile to form a first knitted rib portion of a knitted rib structure. Similarly, the second set of held stitches 1030 functions to tension the third knit course 1026 and the fourth knit course 1028 toward each other such that the wales 1038 extend outward from the technical back of the knit textile to form a second knitted rib portion of the knitted rib structure. Because the

wales

1036 and 1038 have the same width in the wale-wise direction 114 (i.e., span the same number of intermediary knit courses) when not tensioned, the

wales

1036 and 1038 have the same height in the z-direction when tensioned.

FIG. 10 depicts additional knit structures extending from the second knit structure 1025 and forming additional knitted rib portions. Each of the additional knit structures shares at least one common knit course with the preceding knit structure. Each of the additional knit structures shown in FIG. 10 are offset from the preceding knit structure in the negative wale-wise direction such that a downslope of a wave form is created. Although not shown, it is contemplated that there may be additional knit structures that are offset in the positive wale-wise direction with respect to the preceding knit structure so as to form an upstroke of the wave form. As stated, offsetting the successive knit structures from the preceding knit structure by one knit course creates a smooth curve to the wave form. It is also contemplated herein that successive knit structures may be offset from preceding knit structures by more than one knit course.

The stitch diagram 1000 further depicts an additional knit construction 1040 having the same knitting sequence as the second knit construction 1005. Although shown as being aligned with the second knit construction 1005 in the wale-wise direction, it is contemplated herein that the additional knit construction 1040 may be offset from the second knit construction 1005 in one of the positive or negative course-wise direction. The additional knit construction 1040 is offset from the second knit construction 1005 in the knitting direction 1010 by a plurality of continuously knit courses. For example, the first knit structure 1016 is offset from a corresponding first knit structure of the additional knit construction 1040 by a plurality of continuously knit courses 1042. The number of knit courses in the plurality of continuously knit courses 1042 may vary such that the additional knit construction 1040 may be spaced apart from the second knit construction 1005 by varying amounts in the knitting direction. Additional knit constructions having the same or similar knitting sequences as the second and the

additional knit constructions

1005 and 1040 may be formed and offset from adjacent knit constructions by a plurality of knit courses such that the different knit constructions are “stacked” in the knitting direction. As will be described further below, areas of a knit textile having this “stacked” configuration of knitted rib structures may exhibit a greater amount of visual distraction than areas having a different knit construction. Additionally, in some aspects, there may be a greater density of held stitches and less continuously knit loops in these areas, and, as such, the amount of mechanical stretch or elongation may be reduced compared to the areas having a different knit construction.

In example aspects, and as shown in FIG. 10, a knit textile formed using the stitch diagram 1000 may be knit to have a repeating pattern of colored stripes. For example, as shown in the color block at the right of the stitch diagram 1000, the knit textile may be knit in a repeating pattern comprising a first plurality of knit courses knit with a yarn of a first color 1050 to form a first color block, a second plurality of knit courses knit with a yarn of a second color 1052 to form a second color block, followed by a third plurality of knit courses knit with a yarn of a third color 1054 to form a third color block, where each of the first, second, and third colors are different. This is illustrative, and it is contemplated herein, that the knit textile may be knit with stripes of additional colors, or there may fewer color blocks than shown. For example, the knit textile may be knit having alternating stripes of two different colors, or the knit textile may be knit to have a solid color (i.e., just one colored yarn is used to knit the knit textile) .

Due to the positive or negative wale-wise offsetting of the successive knit structures that form the different knitted rib portions of the knitted rib structure, a knit course that generally forms a course-wise midline of a particular knit structure may be positioned within a different color block than a previous or a successive knitted rib portion. Stated differently, due to the positive or negative off-setting of knit courses from which a set of held stitches begins and ends, a knit course that generally forms a course-wise midline of a particular knit structure may be positioned within a different color block than a previous or a successive knitted rib portion. For example, the knit course that is generally positioned at a course-wise midline of the first knit structure 1016 is positioned within the third color block 1054, and the knit course that is generally positioned at a course-wise midline of the second knit structure 1025 is positioned between the third color block 1054 and the second color block 1052. The knit structure that is positioned after the second knit structure 1025 in the course-wise direction 1012 has a course-wise midline knit course that is positioned in the second color block 1052. By varying the positioning of the knit structures as described, the top portion of the knitted rib structure formed by, for example, the second knit construction 1005 visually presents each of the first, second, and

third colors

1050, 1052, and 1054 when the knit textile is viewed from a first viewing angle that is generally orthogonal to the x, y plane of the knit textile. Stated differently, each of the first color 1050, the second color 1052, and the third color 1054 may be successively presented at the top portion of the knitted rib structure.

FIG. 11 depicts a schematic of an example knit structure 1100 used in the second knit construction 1005. The knit structure 1100 is illustrative only, and it is contemplated that the knit structure 1100 may include additional features not shown and may also include variations of the features shown. The knit structure 1100 includes a first knit course 1110. The first knit course 1110 includes the legs of a first set of held stitches 1112. The first knit course 1110 further includes knit stitches 1114, where the legs of each held stitch in the first set of held stitches 1112 are separated from each other by a knit stitch 1114. The knit structure 1100 further includes a second knit course 1116. The second knit course 1116 includes the heads of the first set of held stitches 1112. The second knit course 1116 further includes knit stitches 1118, where the heads of each held stitch in the first set of held stitches 1112 are separated from each other by a knit stitch 1118.

The limbs of the first set of held stitches 1112 span a first set of intermediary knit courses 1120. Each intermediary knit course in the first set of intermediary knit courses 1120 extends as a float stitch, such as float stitch 1121, as it passes under (or over) the limbs of a held stitch in the first set of held stitches 1112, and then forms a knit stitch, such as knit stitch 1122, where the knit stitch 1122 is positioned between adjacent held stitches in the first set of held stitches 1112. The knit stitches 1122 in the first set of intermediary knit courses 1120 interloop with each other, with the knit stitches 1114 in the first knit course 1110, and with the knit stitches 1118 in the second knit course 1116, to form a wale such as wale 1124 that extends from the first knit course 1110 to the second knit course 1116. As previously discussed with respect to FIG. 10, the first set of held stitches 1112 tensions the first knit course 1110 and the second knit course 1116 toward each other such that the wales 1124 extend outward from the technical back to form a first knitted rib portion.

The example knit structure 1100 further includes a third knit course 1126. In example aspects, the third knit course 1126 is offset from the first knit course 1110 in the knitting direction, which corresponds to a positive wale-wise direction. The third knit course 1126 includes the legs of a second set of held stitches 1128. The third knit course 1126 further includes knit stitches 1130, where the legs of each held stitch in the second set of held stitches 1128 are separated from each other by a knit stitch 1130. The knit structure 1100 further includes a fourth knit course 1132. The fourth knit course 1132 is offset from the second knit course 1116 in the positive wale-wise direction. The fourth knit course 1132 includes the heads of the second set of held stitches 1128. The fourth knit course 1132 further includes knit stitches 1134, where the heads of each held stitch in the second set of held stitches 1128 are separated from each other by a knit stitch 1134.

The limbs of the second set of held stitches 1128 span a second set of intermediary knit courses 1136. Each intermediary knit course in the second set of intermediary knit courses 1136 extends as a float stitch, such as float stitch 1137, as it passes under (or over) the limbs of a held stitch in the second set of held stitches 1128, and then forms a knit stitch, such as knit stitch 1138, where the knit stitch 1138 is positioned between adjacent held stitches in the second set of held stitches 1128. The knit stitches 1138 in the second set of intermediary knit courses 1136 interloop with each other, with the knit stitches 1130 in the third knit course 1126, and with the knit stitches 1134 in the fourth knit course 1132, to form a wale, such as wale 1140 that extends from the third knit course 1126 to the fourth knit course 1132. At least one knit course in the second set of intermediary knit courses 1136 also extends as a knit course in the first set of intermediary knit courses 1120. The second set of held stitches 1128 tensions the third knit course 1126 and the fourth knit course 1132 toward each other such that the wales 1140 extend outward from the technical back of the knit textile to form a second knitted rib portion. Because the number of intermediary knit courses in the first set of intermediary knit courses 1120 is the same as the number of intermediary knit courses in the second set of intermediary knit courses 1136, the wales 1124 have the same height as the wales 1140 once tensioned.

The example knit structure 1100 further includes a fifth knit course 1142. In example, aspects, the fifth knit course 1142 is offset from the third knit course 1126 in the positive wale-wise direction. The fifth knit course 1142 is coupled to a sixth knit course 1144 by a third set of held stitches that extend over a third set of intermediary knit courses having the same number of knit courses as the first and second sets of

intermediary knit courses

1120 and 1136. The third set of intermediary knit courses shares at least one common knit course with the second set of intermediary knit courses 1136. The sixth knit course 1144 is offset from the fourth knit course 1132 in the positive wale-wise direction. Other features of this knit structure are similar what has already been described herein and, as such, will not be repeated.

As further shown in FIG. 11, and moving in a positive course-wise direction, the knit structure 1100 includes an additional held stitch 1146 that extends between the third knit course 1126 and the fourth knit course 1132. The held stitch 1146 is offset in the negative wale-wise direction from the held stitch (es) extending between the fifth knit course 1142 and the sixth knit course 1144. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 11, a wave form is created having an upstroke in the positive wale-wise direction and a downstroke in the negative wale-wise direction.

FIG. 12 depicts a knit textile 1200 that includes discrete areas having knitted rib structures that each form a wave as the knitted ribbed structures extend in a course-wise direction. The knitted rib structures having the wave forms may be created using, for example, the stitch diagram 1000 of FIG. 10. The knit textile 1200 extends in an x, y plan as defined by the Cartesian coordinate system shown in FIG. 12, and the knitted rib structures extend in a positive z-direction as defined by the Cartesian coordinate system. In example aspects, the knit textile 1200 may include a plurality of base ribs 1210 extending in the course-wise direction and having a constant height. In example aspects, the set of intermediary knit courses over which the set of held stitches that form the base ribs 1210 extend may include the same number of knit courses as the set of intermediary knit courses that form the knitted rib structures created using the second knit construction 1005. For example, both the base ribs 410 and the knitted rib structures formed using the second knit construction 1005 may include from about four to about six intermediary knit courses.

The knit textile 1200 may further include discrete areas such as discrete area 1212 that include knitted rib structures having wave forms formed, for instance, using the second knit construction 1005. With respect to the discrete area 1212, four

knitted rib structures

1214a, 1214b, 1214c, and 1214d are positioned adjacent to each other in the knitting direction. It is contemplated herein that each of the knitted

rib structures

1214a, 1214b, 1214c, and 1214d may share the same wave form (e.g., same period, same amplitude, same tangential angle) . It is also contemplated herein, that each of the knitted

rib structures

1214a, 1214b, 1214c, and 1214d has a different wave form as shown in FIG. 12. In another example, some of the knitted rib structures may share the same wave form and some may be different. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

The

knitted rib structures

1214a, 1214b, 1214c, and 1214d are separated from each other by a plurality of continuously knit

courses

1216a, 1216b, and 1216c. The number of knit courses in each of the plurality of continuously knit

courses

1216a, 1216b, and 1216c may be the same such that the wale-wise spacing between each of the knitted

rib structures

1214a, 1214b, 1214c, and 1214d is generally the same. Alternatively, the number of knit courses in each of the plurality of continuously knit

courses

1216a, 1216b, and 1216c may vary such that the wale-wise spacing between each of the knitted

rib structures

1214a, 1214b, 1214c, and 1214d generally varies. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are contemplated as being within aspects herein.

In some aspects, features of the wave form associated with the knitted ribbed structures may be adjusted to increase the resistance to stretch in discrete areas of a knit textile. FIG. 13 depicts a knit textile 1300 having a plurality of base ribs 1310. The knit textile 1300 further includes a first discrete area 1312 that includes a first plurality of knitted rib structures 1314 that have a relatively short wave period. As used herein, the term “wave period” means the distance between adjacent peaks of a wave form of a particular knitted rib structure. The first plurality of knitted rib structures 1314 are stacked in a knitting direction.

The knit textile 1300 also includes a second discrete area 1315 that includes a second plurality of knitted rib structures 1316 that have a relatively longer period compared to the first plurality of knitted rib structures 1314. The second discrete area 1315 has the same dimensions as the first discrete area 1312. The second plurality of knitted rib structures 1316 are also stacked in the knitting direction. In example aspects, there are generally more held stitches and less interlooped knit loops (e.g., continuously knit stitches) in the first discrete area 1312 compared to the second discrete area 1315. Stated differently, the density of held stitches is greater in the first discrete area 1312 compared to the second discrete area 1315 due to the shorter period of the wave forms of the first plurality of knitted rib structures 1314, and the density of interlooped knit loops is less in the first discrete area 1312 compared to the second discrete area 1315.

A third discrete area 1318, which has the same dimensions as the first and second

discrete areas

1312 and 1315, includes only base ribs 1310 which extend linearly in the course-wise direction and do not exhibit any waves. As such, the density of held stitches in the third discrete area 1318 is less than the first discrete area 1312 and the second discrete area 1315. The density of continuously knit stitches is greater in the third discrete area 1318 compared to the first and second

discrete areas

1312 and 1315.

Thus, in example aspects, the resistance to stretch or modulus may be greatest in the first discrete area 1312, and least in the third discrete area 1318, with the resistance to stretch or modulus of the second discrete area 1315 being intermediate between the first discrete area 1312 and the third discrete area 1318. In some example aspects, the tension-modulus at the third discrete area 1318 at 40%stretch may be from about 2 to about 3 pounds (lbs) in the length direction (e.g., the wale-wise direction) . Elongation at the third discrete area 1318 may be from about 80%to about 90%, or from about 82%to about 85%in the length or wale-wise direction. In contrast, the tension-modulus at the first discrete area 1312 at 40%stretch may be from about 3.1 lbs to about 4 lbs in the length or wale-wise direction. Elongation at the first discrete area 1312 may be from about 70%to about 75%in the length or wale-wise direction. As seen, compared to the first knit construction 105, the overall resistance to stretch created by the knitted rib structures may be less with the second knit construction 1005. As such, the second knit construction 1005, in example aspects, may be primarily used to create visual distraction while still providing some degree of stretch resistance, which may be useful in short duration athletic events such as sprint running, where competitive advantages of even milliseconds may be important.

FIGs. 14-16 depict different ways the wave form of a knitted rib structure may be adjusted to provide varying properties. With respect to FIG. 14, it depicts a knitted rib structure 1400 formed using the second knit construction 1005, where the knitted rib structure 1400 has a varying wave period as the knitted rib structure 1400 extends in a course-wise direction. For example, the knitted rib structure 1400 has a first wave period 1410 and a second wave period 1412 where the second wave period 1412 is greater than the first wave period 1410. As described with respect to FIG. 13, shortening the wave period of a knitted rib structure may increase the density of held stitches within a unit area, which increases the resistance to stretch within that area. Additionally, as explained further below with respect to FIG. 17, adjusting the wave period may also affect the length of a particular color segment displayed on a top portion of a particular wave of a knitted rib structure. For instance, because the second wave period 1412 is greater than the first wave period 1410, the peak of wave 1414 extends for a greater distance in the course-wise direction compared to the peak of wave 1416. Thus, the length of a color (s) segment presented on the top portion of the wave 1414 is greater than the length of a color (s) segment presented on the top portion of the wave 1416.

FIG. 15 depicts a knitted rib structure 1500 having different tangential angles associated with an upstroke and a downstroke of a wave 1510. The tangential angle is defined as the angle between a tangent line to a curve and the x-axis. For example, the wave 1510 has a steeper upstroke compared to a more gradual downstroke. As such, angle 1512 associated with the upstroke is less than angle 1514 associated with the downstroke. Changing the tangential angle associated with the upstroke and downstroke of a particular wave of a knitted rib structure may change the visual presentation of a color when viewed from a viewing angle other than orthogonal to the x, y plane of a knit textile such as the knit textile 1200. For example, when the wave 1510 is viewed from the viewing angle 1516, the steeper upstroke of the wave 1510 may give the visual impression of a shorter length of a color (s) segment being presented. In contrast, when the wave 1510 is viewed from the viewing angle 1518, the gradual downstroke of the wave 1510 may give the visual impression of a longer length of a color (s) segment being presented.

FIG. 16 depicts a knitted rib structure 1600 having different wave amplitudes where the amplitude is measured from an x-axis to the top of a particular wave. For example, the knitted rib structure 1600 includes a first wave 1610 having a first wave amplitude 1612 and a second wave 1614 having a second wave amplitude 1616 where the first wave amplitude 1612 is greater than the second wave amplitude 1616. Varying the wave amplitude of a knitted rib structure allows for a gradual transition of a base rib to a knitted rib structure with a wave form. For example, the wave amplitude and/or wave period may be gradually increased as the base rib transitions to a knitted rib structure and then gradually decreased as the knitted rib structure transitions back to a base rib. This may create a pleasing aesthetic in example aspects as opposed to an abrupt transition to a wave form having waves with a large wave amplitude or short wave period.

In example aspects, when a knit textile is knit to include a plurality of stripes having different colors as described with respect to FIG. 10, the maximum amplitude of a knitted rib structure, such as the knitted rib structure 1600 may be less than or equal to twice the distance between respective midpoints of successive color blocks of a particular color (i.e., the distance of the color repeat) such as, for example, the first color 1050. In further example aspects, the maximum amplitude of a knitted rib structure may be generally equal to or less than the distance between respective midpoints of successive color blocks of a particular color. By configuring the maximum amplitude to be less than twice or generally equal to the distance between the color repeat, each of the different colors, such as the

colors

1050, 1052, and 1054 will be presented at the top portion of a knitted rib structure, such as the knitted rib structure 1600. Stated differently, when the maximum amplitude is more than twice the distance between the color repeat, one more colors within the different color blocks may be “missed” or not presented at the top portion of the knitted rib structure.

FIG. 17 depicts a schematic cross-section taken through different waves of a particular knitted rib structure 1700 formed using the second knit construction 1005 and is provided to illustrate how different portions or sides of the knitted rib structure 1700 visually present different colors when viewed from a particular viewing angle as the knitted rib structure 1700 extends in a positive course-wise direction.

In the example shown in FIG. 17, the knit textile incorporating the knitted rib structure 1700 is knit according to the color pattern shown in FIG. 10 which includes the first plurality of knit courses knit with a first yarn having the first color 1050 to form a first color block, a second plurality of knit courses knit with a second yarn having a second color 1052 to form a second color block, followed by a third plurality of knit courses knit with a third yarn having a third color 1054 to form a third color block. As described with respect to FIG. 10, in example aspects, a knit course that forms an approximate course-wise midline of a knit structure such as the first knit structure 1016 and the second knit structure 1025 may be located at different locations on the color blocks formed by the first, second, and third plurality of knit courses. This is because the beginning and ending knit courses between which a set of held stitches extend, are consecutively offset from each other in the positive or negative wale-wise direction by one or more knit courses.

Because of this construction, the color that is visually presented or is visible at the top (or the highest point) of different portions of the knitted rib structure 1700 varies as the knitted rib structure 1700 extends in the course-wise direction. For example, with respect to the

waves

1710, 1712, and 1714, the third color 1054 is presented at the top portion of the wave 1710 when viewing from a first viewing angle 1730, which is generally orthogonal or directly above the surface plane of the knit textile incorporating the knitted rib structure 1700. The second color 1052 is visually presented at the top portion of the wave 1712 when viewed from the first viewing angle 1730, and the first color 1050 is visually presented at the top portion of the wave 1714 when viewed from the first viewing angle 1730.

The colors presented on the side portions of the knitted rib structure 1700 may also vary as the wave advances in the course-wise direction. When the knitted rib structure 1700 is viewed from a second viewing angle 1732, which is from a first side of the knitted rib structure 1700, the first color 1050 is visually presented at the wave 1710, the third color 1054 is visually presented at the wave 1712, and the second color 1052 is visually presented at the wave 1714. When the knitted rib structure 1700 is viewed from a third viewing angle 1734, which is from an opposite second side of the knitted rib structure 1700, the first color 1050 is visually presented at the wave 1714, both the first color 1050 and the third color 1054 are visually presented at the side of the wave 1712, and the second color 1052 is visually presented at the side portion of the wave 1710. The result is that the knitted rib structure 1700 presents a varying visual effect when viewed from each of the first, second, and

third viewing angles

1730, 1732, and 1734. This feature contributes to the visual distraction created by forming knitted rib structures using the second knit construction 1005. In example aspects, and as described above with respect to FIG. 5, base ribs, such as the base ribs 1210 of the knit textile 1200 may consistently present the same color at the top portion and the side portions of the base rib. This may increase the visual distraction created by the knitted rib structures having wave forms.

The knit textiles described herein that incorporate the knitted rib structures having wave forms, such as the knit textile 1200, may be incorporated into different articles of apparel. When incorporated into an article of apparel, the knit textile is oriented so that the knit courses generally run vertically, and the knit wales run horizontally. Because the visual variation in color of the knitted rib structures generally varies in the course-wise direction, orienting the knit courses such that the extend generally vertically on an article of apparel creates visual distraction in a generally vertical direction.

FIG. 18 depicts an example upper-body garment 1800 in the form of a tank. The depiction of the garment 1800 in the form of a tank is illustrative only, and it is contemplated herein that the garment 1800 may be in the form of a shirt with sleeves including long sleeves, a hoodie, a singlet, and the like. The upper-body garment 1800 includes a front torso portion 1805 and a back torso portion (not shown) that together define a neck opening 1810, a waist opening 1812, a first sleeve opening 1814, and an opposite second sleeve opening 1816. A hypothetical vertical axis 1818 extends from the neck opening 1810 to the waist opening 1812.

All or portions of the upper-body garment 1800 may be formed from the knit textile having knitted rib structures with wave forms such as the knit textile 1200. As such, the upper-body garment 1800 includes a plurality of base ribs 1820 that extend linearly and substantially parallel (i.e., within ± 15 degrees of parallel) to the vertical axis 1818. The upper-body garment 1800 further includes discrete areas such as discrete area 1822 and discrete area 1824 that includes knitted rib structures having wave forms such as the knitted ribbed structure 1826 and the knitted rib structure 1828. At least portions of the knitted

rib structures

1826 and 1828 are also oriented substantially parallel to the vertical axis 1818. The positioning of the

discrete areas

1822 and 1824 of the knitted ribbed structures may be selected based on data indicating which portions of a garment have greater visibility to an observer during, for example, specific sports. For example, different portions of a garment may be more visible to a competitor athlete depending on the particular sport (e.g., running versus wrestling) . In this aspect, the

discrete areas

1822 and 1824 are located on the lower front torso of the upper-body garment 1800. The positioning of the

discrete areas

1822 and 1824 is illustrative, and it is contemplated herein that the upper-body garment 1800 may include additional discrete areas located at different portions of the upper-body garment 1800 including the back torso portion of the upper-body garment 1800.

In example aspects, the upper-body garment 1800 may include knitted mesh holes 1830 that are positioned in areas of the upper-body garment 1800 for which increased air permeability is desired. In some aspects, the positioning of the knitted mesh holes 1830 may be based on heat or sweat maps of the human body. In some example aspects, each of the knitted mesh holes 1830 may be formed by a triple tuck stitch (e.g., a tuck stitch holding yarns from three knit courses) . To help stabilize the knitted mesh holes 1830, a thicker denier yarn may be used in one or more of the knit courses that form the tuck stitch. Although not shown, it is contemplated herein that additional knitted mesh holes may be located on the back torso portion of the upper-body garment 1800. The knitted mesh holes described herein may used in other articles of apparel such as the upper-body garment 600, the lower-body garment 700, and other lower-body garments described herein.

FIGs. 19 and 20 respectively depict front and back views of a lower-body garment 1900. Although shown as a short, it is contemplated herein that the lower-body garment 1900 may be in the form of a pant, a legging, a capri, and the like. The lower-body garment 1900 includes a front torso portion 1910 and a back torso portion 2000 (shown in FIG. 20) that define a waist opening 1912. The lower-body garment 1900 further includes a first leg portion 1914 with a first leg opening 1916, and a second leg portion 1918 with a second leg opening 1920. A hypothetical vertical axis 1922 is shown extending from the waist opening 1912 through the first leg opening 1916.

All or portions of the lower-body garment 1900 may be formed from the knit textile having knitted rib structures with wave forms such as the knit textile 1200. As such, the lower-body garment 1900 includes a plurality of base ribs 1924 that extend substantially parallel (i.e., within ± 15 degrees of parallel) to the vertical axis 1922. The lower-body garment 1900 further includes discrete areas such as

discrete areas

1926, 1928, 1930, and 1932 that include knitted rib structures with wave forms such as, for instance, the knitted ribbed structure 1940 and the knitted rib structure 2010. The knitted rib structures, or portions thereof, such as the

knitted rib structures

1940 and 2010 are also oriented substantially parallel to the vertical axis 1922. Similar to the upper-body garment 1800, the locations of the

discrete areas

1926, 1928, 1930, and 1932 may be selected based on data indicating which portions of a garment have greater visibility to an observer during, for example, specific sports. Further, because the

discrete areas

1926, 1928, 1930, and 1932 may also exhibit a greater resistance to stretch than other areas of the lower-body garment 1900, the positioning of these areas on the lower-body garment 1900 may also be selected to provide support to the large muscle groups in a wearer’s legs. The positioning of the

discrete areas

1926, 1928, 1930, and 1932 is illustrative, and it is contemplated herein that the lower-body garment 1900 may include additional discrete areas located at different portions of the lower-body garment 1900.

In example aspects, the location of the discrete areas with knitted rib structures having wave forms on an article of apparel may act as a visual indicator to a consumer of where visual distraction zones are located. Because these visual distraction zones may vary on an article of apparel according to, for example, an intended athletic activity for which the article of apparel is to be worn, the visual indicators may easily allow a consumer to select a garment that fits their particular visual distraction needs.

FIG. 21 depicts a flow diagram of an example method 2100 of manufacturing a knit textile having knitted rib structures with wave forms as described herein. At a step 2110, a first knit structure such as the first knit structure 1016 of FIG. 10 is formed. For example, at a first sub-step 2112, a first set of stitches is formed in a first knit course such as the first knit course 1018, where the first set of stitches includes knit stitches and legs of a first set of held stitches, such as the first set of held stitches 1022.

At a second sub-step 2114, a first set of intermediary knit courses such as the first set of intermediary knit courses 1024 is formed while holding the first set of held stitches. At a third sub-step 2116, a second set of stitches is formed in a second knit course such as the second knit course 1020. The second set of stitches includes knit stitches and the heads of the first set of held stitches. The first set of held stitches spans the first set of intermediary knit courses.

At a step 2118, a second knit structure such as the second knit structure 1025 of FIG. 10 is formed. For example, at a first sub-step 2120, a third set of stitches is formed in a third knit course such as the third knit course 1026 where the third knit course is offset from the first knit course in a knitting direction. The third set of stitches includes knit stitches and the legs of a second set of held stitches such as the second set of held stitches 1030. At a second sub-step 2122, a second set of intermediary knit courses such as the second set of intermediary knit courses 1032 is formed while holding the second set of held stitches. The second set of intermediary knit courses shares at least a common knit course with the first set of intermediary knit courses. At a third sub-step 2124, a fourth set of stitches is formed in a fourth knit course such as the fourth knit course 1028, where the fourth knit course is offset from the second knit course in the knitting direction. The fourth set of stitches includes knit stitches and the heads of the second set of held stitches. The second set of held stitches spans the second set of intermediary knit courses. In aspects, the first set of intermediary knit courses includes a same number of knit courses as the second set of intermediary knit courses.

The following clauses represent example aspects of concepts contemplated herein. Any one of the following clauses may be combined in a multiple dependent manner to depend from one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of dependent clauses (clauses that explicitly depend from a previous clause) may be combined while staying within the scope of aspects contemplated herein. The following clauses are examples and are not limiting.

Clause 1. A knit textile comprising: a first knit construction comprising: a first knit structure comprising: a first knit course, and a second knit course coupled to the first knit course via a first set of held stitches, the first set of held stitches spanning a first set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the first knit course and the second knit course; and a second knit structure comprising: a third knit course, and a fourth knit course coupled to the third knit course via a second set of held stitches, the second set of held stitches spanning a second set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the third knit course and the fourth knit course, wherein the second set of intermediary knit courses includes a different number of knit courses than the first set of intermediary knit courses, and wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least one common knit course.

Clause 2. The knit textile according to clause 1, wherein the first knit construction further comprises: a third knit structure comprising: a fifth knit course, and a sixth knit course coupled to the fifth knit course via a third set of held stitches, the third set of held stitches spanning a third set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the fifth knit course and the sixth knit course, wherein the third set of intermediary knit courses includes a different number of knit courses than each of the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses, and wherein the third set of intermediary knit courses shares the common knit course with the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses.

Clause 3. The knit textile according to clause 2, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses includes a greater number of knit courses than the second set of intermediary knit courses, and wherein the second set of intermediary knit courses includes a greater number of knit courses than the third set of intermediary knit courses.

Clause 4. The knit textile according to any of clauses 1 through 3, wherein in the first knit course a held stitch in the first set of held stitches is separated from an adjacent held stitch in the first set of held stitches by a knit stitch that forms a wale, the wale extending between the first knit course and the second knit course.

Clause 5. The knit textile according to any of clauses 1 through 4, further comprising an additional knit construction having a same knit sequence as the first knit construction, the additional knit construction offset from the first knit construction in a knitting direction by one or more continuously knit courses.

Clause 6. The knit textile according to any of clauses 1 through 5, wherein areas of the knit textile having the first knit construction have a greater resistance to stretch than areas of the knit textile having a second knit construction that is different than the first knit construction.

Clause 7. The knit textile according to any of clauses 1 through 6, wherein the first knit structure and the second knit structure form a knitted rib structure that extends in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile.

Clause 8. The knit textile according to any of clauses 1 through 7, wherein the knitted rib structure includes a first knitted rib portion corresponding to the first knit structure and a second knitted rib portion corresponding to the second knit structure, and wherein the second knitted rib portion continuously extends from the first knitted rib portion.

Clause 9. The knit textile according to clause 8, wherein the first knitted rib portion has a different height as measured in the z-direction of the knit textile compared to the second knitted rib portion.

Clause 10. The knit textile according to any of clauses 1 through 9, wherein the knit textile is knit using at least a first yarn having a first color, a second yarn having a second color different from the first color, and a third yarn having a third color different from the first color and the second color.

Clause 11. The knit textile according to clause 10, wherein the knitted rib structure visually presents the first color when viewed from a first viewing angle.

Clause 12. An article of apparel comprising: a knit textile having a first knit construction, the first knit construction comprising: a first knitted rib portion comprising: a first knit course, and a second knit course coupled to the first knit course via a first set of held stitches, the first set of held stitches spanning a first set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the first knit course and the second knit course; and a second knitted rib portion comprising: a third knit course, and a fourth knit course coupled to the third knit course via a second set of held stitches, the second set of held stitches spanning a second set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the third knit course and the fourth knit course, wherein the second set of intermediary knit courses includes a different number of knit courses than the first set of intermediary knit courses, and wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least one common knit course.

Clause 13. The article of apparel according to clause 12, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion form a knitted rib structure that extends in a course- wise direction of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile.

Clause 14. The article of apparel according to any of clauses 12 through 13, wherein the article of apparel is an upper-body garment.

Clause 15. The article of apparel according to clause 14, wherein the knitted rib structure extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a neck opening of the upper-body garment to a waist opening of the upper-body garment.

Clause 16. The article of apparel according to any of clauses 12 through 13, wherein the article of apparel is a lower-body garment.

Clause 17. The article of apparel according to clause 16, wherein the knitted rib structure extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a waist opening of the lower-body garment to a leg opening of a leg portion of the lower-body garment.

Clause 18. A method of manufacturing a knit textile, the method comprising: forming a first knit structure by: forming, in a first knit course, a first set of stitches including knit stitches and legs of a first set of held stitches, forming, while holding the first set of held stitches, a first set of intermediary knit courses, and forming, in a second knit course, a second set of stitches including knit stitches and heads of the first set of held stitches, wherein the first set of held stitches spans the first set of intermediary knit courses; and forming a second knit structure by: forming, in a third knit course, a third set of stitches including knit stitches and legs of a second set of held stitches, forming, while holding the second set of held stitches, a second set of intermediary knit courses, and forming, in a fourth knit course, a fourth set of stitches including knit stitches and heads of the second set of held stitches, wherein the second set of held stitches spans the second set of intermediary knit courses, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses includes a different number of knit courses than the second set of intermediary knit courses, and wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least a common knit course.

Clause 19. The method of manufacturing the knit textile according to clause 18, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses includes a greater number of knit courses than the second set of intermediary knit courses.

Clause 20. The method of manufacturing the knit textile according to any of clauses 18 through 19, wherein in the first knit course a held stitch in the first set of held stitches is separated from an adjacent held stitch in the first set of held stitches by a knit stitch that forms a wale, the wale extending between the first knit course and the second knit course.

Clause 21. A knit textile comprising: a first knit construction, the first knit construction comprising: a first knit structure comprising: a first knit course, and a second knit course coupled to the first knit course via a first set of held stitches that span a first set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the first knit course and the second knit course; and a second knit structure comprising: a third knit course that is offset from the first knit course in a knitting direction, and a fourth knit course that is offset from the second knit course in the knitting direction, the fourth knit course coupled to the third knit course via a second set of held stitches span a second set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the third knit course and the fourth knit course, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least one common knit course.

Clause 22. The knit textile according to clause 21, wherein the first knit construction further comprises a third knit structure, the third knit structure comprising: a fifth knit course that is offset from the third knit course in the knitting direction, and a sixth knit course that is offset from the fourth knit course in the knitting direction, the sixth knit course coupled to the fifth knit course via a third set of held stitches that span a third set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the fifth knit course and the sixth knit course, wherein the third set of intermediary knit courses shares the common knit course with the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses.

Clause 23. The knit textile according to clause 22, wherein each of the first set of intermediary knit courses, the second set of intermediary knit courses, and the third set of intermediary knit courses have a same number of knit courses.

Clause 24. The knit textile according to any of clauses 21 through 23, wherein in the first knit course a held stitch in the first set of held stitches is separated from an adjacent held stitch in the first set of held stitches by a knit stitch that forms a wale, the wale extending between the first knit course and the second knit course.

Clause 25. The knit textile according to any of clauses 21 through 24, wherein the first knit structure and the second knit structure form a knitted rib structure that extends in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile.

Clause 26. The knit textile according to any of clauses 21 through 25, wherein the knitted rib structure includes a first knitted rib portion corresponding to the first knit structure and a second knitted rib portion corresponding the second knit structure.

Clause 27. The knit textile according to clause 26, wherein the first knitted rib portion extends linearly in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, and wherein the second knitted rib portion extends in a wale-wise direction with respect to the first knitted rib portion.

Clause 28. The knit textile according to any of clauses 21 through 27, wherein the knit textile is knit using at least a first yarn having a first color, a second yarn having a second color different from the first color, and a third yarn having a third color different from the first color and the second color.

Clause 29. The knit textile according to clause 28, wherein the first knitted rib portion visually presents the first color when viewed from a first viewing angle, and wherein the second knitted rib portion visually presents the second color when viewed from the first viewing angle.

Clause 30. An article of apparel comprising: a knit textile having a first knit construction, the first knit construction comprising: a first knitted rib portion comprising: a first knit course, and a second knit course coupled to the first knit course via a first set of held stitches that span a first set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the first knit course and the second knit course; and a second knitted rib portion comprising: a third knit course that is offset from the first knit course in a knitting direction, and a fourth knit course that is offset from the second knit course in the knitting direction, the fourth knit course coupled to the third knit course via a second set of held stitches that span a second set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the third knit course and the fourth knit course, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least one common knit course.

Clause 31. The article of apparel according to clause 30, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion form a knitted rib structure.

Clause 32. The article of apparel according to clause 31, wherein the knitted rib structure extends in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile.

Clause 33. The article of apparel according to any of clauses 30 through 32, wherein the first knitted rib portion extends linearly in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, and wherein the second knitted rib portion extends in a wale-wise direction with respect to the first knitted rib portion.

Clause 34. The article of apparel according to any of clauses 30 through 33, wherein the article of apparel is an upper-body garment.

Clause 35. The article of apparel according to clause 34, wherein at least the first knitted rib portion extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a neck opening of the upper-body garment to a waist opening of the upper-body garment.

Clause 36. The article of apparel according to any of clauses 30 through 33, wherein the article of apparel is a lower-body garment.

Clause 37. The article of apparel according to clause 36, wherein at least the first knitted rib portion extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a waist opening of the lower-body garment to a leg opening of a leg portion of the lower-body garment.

Clause 38. A method of manufacturing a knit textile, the method of manufacturing comprising: forming a first knit structure by: forming, in a first knit course, a first set of stitches including knit stitches and legs of a first set of held stitches, forming, while holding the first set of held stitches, a first set of intermediary knit courses, and forming, in a second knit course, a second set of stitches including knit stitches and heads of the first set of held stitches, the first set of held stitches spanning the first set of intermediary knit courses; and forming a second knit structure by: forming, in a third knit course that is offset from the first knit course in a knitting direction, a third set of stitches including knit stitches and leg of a second set of held stitches, forming, while holding the second set of held stitches, a second set of intermediary knit courses, and forming, in a fourth knit course that is offset from the second knit course in the knitting direction, a fourth set of stitches including knit stitches and heads of the second set of held stitches, the second set of held stitches spanning the second set of intermediary knit courses, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least one common knit course.

Clause 39. The method of manufacturing the knit textile according to clause 38, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses include a same number of knit courses.

Clause 40. The method of manufacturing the knit textile according to any of clauses 38 through 39, wherein in the first knit course a held stitch in the first set of held stitches is separated from an adjacent held stitch in the first set of held stitches by a knit stitch that forms a wale, the wale extending between the first knit course and the second knit course.

Clause 41. A knit textile comprising: at least one knitted rib structure extending in a course-wise direction of the knit textile and further extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure comprising: a first knitted rib portion having a first height measured in the z-direction of the knit textile, and a second knitted rib portion having a second height measured in the z-direction of the knit textile, the second height different from the first height, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion share at least one common knit course.

Clause 42. The knit textile according to clause 41, further comprising a third knitted rib portion having a third height measured in the z-direction of the knit textile, the third height different from each of the first height and the second height, wherein the third knitted rib portion shares that common knit course with the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion.

Clause 43. The knit textile according to clause 42, wherein the third height of the third knitted rib portion is less than the second height of the second knitted rib portion, and wherein the second height of the second knitted rib portion is less than the first height of the first knitted rib portion.

Clause 44. The knit textile according to any of clauses 41 through 43, wherein areas of the knit textile at which the knitted rib structure is located exhibit a greater resistance to stretch than areas of the knit textile having a different knit construction.

Clause 45. The knit textile according to any of clauses 41 through 44, wherein the knit textile is knit in a repeating pattern comprising a first plurality of knit courses knit with a first yarn having a first color, a second plurality of knit courses knit with a second yarn having a second color, and a third plurality of knit courses knit with a third yarn having a third color, wherein each of the first color, the second color, and the third color are different.

Clause 46. The knit textile according to clause 45, wherein the knitted rib structure visually presents the first color when viewed from a first viewing angle.

Clause 47. The knit textile according to any of clauses 41 through 46, further comprising a plurality of additional knitted rib structures, each of the plurality of additional knitted rib structures having a varying height in the z-direction of the knit textile.

Clause 48. The knit textile according to clause 47, wherein the knitted rib structure and the plurality of additional knitted rib structures are located together at discrete areas of the knit textile to form a first stretch zone having a first resistance to stretch.

Clause 49. The knit textile according to clause 48, wherein remaining areas of the knit textile do not include the knitted rib structure and the plurality of additional knitted rib structures, the remaining areas forming a second stretch zone with a second resistance to stretch, wherein the first resistance to stretch is greater than the second resistance to stretch.

Clause 50. An article of apparel comprising: a knit textile having at least one knitted rib structure extending in a course-wise direction of the knit textile and further extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure comprising: a first knitted rib portion having a first height measured in the z-direction of the knit textile, and a second knitted rib portion having a second height measured in the z-direction of the knit textile, the second height different from the first height, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion share at least one common knit course.

Clause 51. The article of apparel according to clause 50, wherein the article of apparel is an upper-body garment.

Clause 52. The article of apparel according to clause 51, wherein the knitted rib structure extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a neck opening of the upper-body garment to a waist opening of the upper-body garment.

Clause 53. The article of apparel according to clause 50, wherein the article of apparel is a lower-body garment.

Clause 54. The article of apparel according to clause 53, wherein the knitted rib structure extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a waist opening of the lower-body garment to a leg opening of the lower-body garment.

Clause 55. A knit textile comprising: a first knitted rib structure extending in a course-wise direction of the knit textile and further extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile; a second knitted rib structure offset from the first knitted rib structure in a knitting direction, the second knitted rib structure extending in the course-wise direction of the knit textile and further extending in the z-direction with respect to the x, y plane of the knit textile; a first plurality of knit courses positioned between a first portion of the first knitted rib structure and a first portion of the second knitted rib structure; and a second plurality of knit courses positioned between a second portion of the first knitted rib structure and a second portion of the second knitted rib structure, the first plurality of knit courses and the second plurality of knit courses sharing at least one common knit course, wherein the first plurality of knit courses comprises a greater number of knit courses than the second plurality of knit courses.

Clause 56. The knit textile according to clause 55, wherein an area of the knit textile in which the first portion of the first knitted rib structure, the first portion of the second knitted rib structure, and the first plurality of knit courses is located exhibits a smaller resistance to stretch than an area of the knit textile where the second portion of the first knitted rib structure, the second portion of the second knitted rib structure, and the second plurality of knit courses is located.

Clause 57. The knit textile according to any of clauses 55 through 56, wherein the knit textile is knit in a repeating pattern comprising a first plurality of knit courses knit with a first yarn having a first color, a second plurality of knit courses knit with a second yarn having a second color, and a third plurality of knit courses knit with a third yarn having a third color, wherein each of the first color, the second color, and the third color are different.

Clause 58. The knit textile according to clause 57, wherein each of the first knitted rib structure and the second knitted rib structure visually presents the first color when viewed from a first viewing angle.

Clause 59. The knit textile according to any of clauses 55 through 58, further comprising a plurality of additional knitted rib structures extending in the course-wise direction of the knit textile and further extending in the z-direction with respect to the x, y plane of the knit textile, the plurality of additional knitted rib structures having a substantially constant height as measured in the z-direction.

Clause 60. The knit textile according to clause 59, the plurality of additional knitted rib structures visually presenting the first color when viewed from the first viewing angle.

Clause 61. A knit textile comprising: at least one knitted rib structure extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure comprising: a first knitted rib portion extending linearly in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, and a second knitted rib portion that extends in a positive wale-wise direction with respect to the first knitted rib portion, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion share at least one common knit course.

Clause 62. The knit textile according to clause 61, wherein the first knitted rib portion has a same height as measured in the z-direction as the second knitted rib portion.

Clause 63. The knit textile according to any of clauses 61 through 62, further comprising a third knitted rib portion that extends in a negative wale-wise direction with respect to the second knitted rib portion, the third knitted rib portion sharing the common knit course with at least the first knitted rib portion.

Clause 64. The knit textile according to any of clauses 61 through 63, wherein the knit textile is knit in a repeating pattern comprising a first plurality of knit courses knit with a first yarn having a first color, a second plurality of knit courses knit with a second yarn having a second color, and a third plurality of knit courses knit with a third yarn having a third color, wherein each of the first color, the second color, and the third color are different.

Clause 65. The knit textile according to clause 64, wherein the first knitted rib portion visually presents the first color when viewed from a first viewing angle, the second knitted rib portion visually presents the second color when viewed from the first viewing angle, and the third knitted rib portion visually presents the third color when viewed from the first viewing angle.

Clause 66. An article of apparel comprising: a knit textile comprising: at least one knitted rib structure extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure comprising: a first knitted rib portion extending linearly in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, and a second knitted rib portion that extends in a positive wale-wise direction with respect to the first knitted rib portion, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion share at least one common knit course.

Clause 67. The article of apparel according to clause 66, wherein the article of apparel is an upper-body garment.

Clause 68. The article of apparel according to clause 67, wherein the first knitted rib portion extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a neck opening of the upper-body garment to a waist opening of the upper-body garment.

Clause 69. The article of apparel according to clause 66, wherein the article of apparel is a lower-body garment.

Clause 70. The article of apparel according to clau 69, wherein the first knitted rib portion extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a waist opening of the lower-body garment to a leg opening of a leg portion of the lower-body garment.

Clause 71. A knit textile comprising: A knit textile comprising: a knitted rib structure extending in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure having a substantially constant height as measured in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure alternately extending in a positive and negative wale-wise direction of the knit textile to form a wave form, the wave form comprising two or more wave periods and two or more wave amplitudes.

Clause 72. The knit textile according to clause 71, wherein areas of the knitted rib structure having a relatively smaller wave period exhibit a greater resistance to stretch compared to areas of the knitted rib structure having a relatively greater wave period.

Clause 73. The knit textile according to any of clauses 71 through 72, wherein the knit textile is knit in a repeating pattern comprising a first plurality of knit courses knit with a first yarn having a first color, followed by a second plurality of knit courses knit with a second yarn having a second color, followed by a third plurality of knit courses knit with a third yarn having a third color, wherein each of the first color, the second color, and the third color are different.

Clause 74. The knit textile according to clause 73, wherein respective midpoints of adjacent bands of the first plurality of knit courses are separated by a first distance.

Clause 75. The knit textile according to clause 74, wherein a greatest wave amplitude of the two or more wave amplitudes is less than or equal to the twice the first distance.

Clause 76. The knit textile according to any of clauses 74 through 75, wherein the greatest wave amplitude of the two or more wave amplitudes is about the first distance.

Clause 77. The knit textile according to any of claims 73 through 76, wherein different portions of the knitted rib structure respectively visually present each of the first color, the second color, and the third color when viewed from a first viewing angle as the knitted rib structure extends in the course-wise direction.

Clause 78. The knit textile according to any of clauses 71 through 77, wherein the wave form includes two or more different tangential angles.

Clause 79. The knit textile according to clause 78, wherein a wave of the wave form includes two different tangential angles.

Clause 80. A knit textile comprising: a knitted rib structure having a wave form as the knitted rib structure extends in a course-wise direction, the knitted rib structure successively visually presenting a plurality of different colors on a top portion of the knitted rib structure as the knitted rib structure advances in the course-wise direction.

Clause 81. A knit textile comprising: a knitted rib structure having a wave form as the knitted rib structure extends in a course-wise direction, the knitted rib structure visually presenting a first color on a top portion of the knitted rib structure at a first location, the knitted rib structure visually presenting a different second color on the top portion of the knitted rib structure at a second location.

Clause 81. The knit textile according to clause 81, wherein the knitted rib structure visually presents the second color on a first side portion of the knitted rib structure at the first location, and wherein the knitted rib structure visually presents the first color on the first side portion of the knitted rib structure at the second location.

Clause 82. A knit textile comprising: a first discrete area including knitted base ribs, the knitted base ribs visually presenting a first color on a top portion of the knitted base ribs; and a second discrete area including a knitted rib structure, the knitted rib structure successively visually presenting a plurality of different colors on a top portion of the knitted rib structure as the knitted rib structure extends in a course-wise direction.

Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.

Claims

A knit textile comprising:

a first knit construction comprising:

a first knit structure comprising:

a first knit course, and

a second knit course coupled to the first knit course via a first set of held stitches, the first set of held stitches spanning a first set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the first knit course and the second knit course; and

a second knit structure comprising:

a third knit course, and

a fourth knit course coupled to the third knit course via a second set of held stitches, the second set of held stitches spanning a second set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the third knit course and the fourth knit course, wherein the second set of intermediary knit courses includes a different number of knit courses than the first set of intermediary knit courses, and wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least one common knit course.
The knit textile of claim 1, wherein the first knit construction further comprises:

a third knit structure comprising:

a fifth knit course, and

a sixth knit course coupled to the fifth knit course via a third set of held stitches, the third set of held stitches spanning a third set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the fifth knit course and the sixth knit course, wherein the third set of intermediary knit courses includes a different number of knit courses than each of the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses, and wherein the third set of intermediary knit courses shares the common knit course with the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses.
The knit textile of claim 2, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses includes a greater number of knit courses than the second set of intermediary knit courses, and wherein the second set of intermediary knit courses includes a greater number of knit courses than the third set of intermediary knit courses.
The knit textile of claim 1, wherein in the first knit course a held stitch in the first set of held stitches is separated from an adjacent held stitch in the first set of held stitches by a knit stitch that forms a wale, the wale extending between the first knit course and the second knit course.
The knit textile of claim 1, further comprising an additional knit construction having a same knit sequence as the first knit construction, the additional knit construction offset from the first knit construction in a knitting direction by one or more continuously knit courses.
The knit textile of claim 1, wherein areas of the knit textile having the first knit construction have a greater resistance to stretch than areas of the knit textile having a different knit construction than the first knit construction.
The knit textile of claim 1, wherein the first knit structure and the second knit structure form a knitted rib structure that extends in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile.
The knit textile of claim 7, wherein the knitted rib structure includes a first knitted rib portion corresponding to the first knit structure and a second knitted rib portion corresponding to the second knit structure, and wherein the second knitted rib portion continuously extends from the first knitted rib portion.
The knit textile of claim 8, wherein the first knitted rib portion has a different height as measured in the z-direction of the knit textile compared to the second knitted rib portion.
The knit textile of claim 9, wherein the knit textile is knit using at least a first yarn having a first color, a second yarn having a second color different from the first color, and a third yarn having a third color different from the first color and the second color.
The knit textile of claim 10, wherein the knitted rib structure visually presents the first color when viewed from a first viewing angle.
An article of apparel comprising:

a knit textile having a first knit construction comprising:

a first knitted rib portion comprising:

a first knit course, and

a second knit course coupled to the first knit course via a first set of held stitches, the first set of held stitches spanning a first set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the first knit course and the second knit course; and

a second knitted rib portion comprising:

a third knit course, and

a fourth knit course coupled to the third knit course via a second set of held stitches, the second set of held stitches spanning a second set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the third knit course and the fourth knit course, wherein the second set of intermediary knit courses includes a different number of knit courses than the first set of intermediary knit courses, and wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least one common knit course.
The article of apparel of claim 12, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion form a knitted rib structure that extends in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile.
The article of apparel of claim 13, wherein the article of apparel is an upper-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 14, wherein the knitted rib structure extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a neck opening of the upper-body garment to a waist opening of the upper-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 13, wherein the article of apparel is a lower-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 16, wherein the knitted rib structure extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a waist opening of the lower-body garment to a leg opening of a leg portion of the lower-body garment.
A method of manufacturing a knit textile, the method comprising:

forming a first knit structure by:

forming, in a first knit course, a first set of stitches including knit stitches and legs of a first set of held stitches,

forming, while holding the first set of held stitches, a first set of intermediary knit courses, and

forming, in a second knit course, a second set of stitches including knit stitches and heads of the first set of held stitches, wherein the first set of held stitches spans the first set of intermediary knit courses; and

forming a second knit structure by:

forming, in a third knit course, a third set of stitches including knit stitches and legs of a second set of held stitches,

forming, while holding the second set of held stitches, a second set of intermediary knit courses, and

forming, in a fourth knit course, a fourth set of stitches including knit stitches and heads of the second set of held stitches, wherein the second set of held stitches spans the second set of intermediary knit courses, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses includes a different number of knit courses than the second set of intermediary knit courses, and wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least a common knit course.
The method of manufacturing the knit textile of claim 18, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses includes a greater number of knit courses than the second set of intermediary knit courses.
The method of manufacturing the knit textile of claim 18, wherein in the first knit course a held stitch in the first set of held stitches is separated from an adjacent held stitch in the first set of held stitches by a knit stitch that forms a wale, the wale extending between the first knit course and the second knit course.
A knit textile comprising:

a first knit construction comprising:

a first knit structure comprising:

a first knit course, and

a second knit course coupled to the first knit course via a first set of held stitches that span a first set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the first knit course and the second knit course; and

a second knit structure comprising:

a third knit course that is offset from the first knit course in a knitting direction, and

a fourth knit course that is offset from the second knit course in the knitting direction, the fourth knit course coupled to the third knit course via a second set of held stitches span a second set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the third knit course and the fourth knit course, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least one common knit course.
The knit textile of claim 21, wherein the first knit construction further comprises a third knit structure, the third knit structure comprising:

a fifth knit course that is offset from the third knit course in the knitting direction, and

a sixth knit course that is offset from the fourth knit course in the knitting direction, the sixth knit course coupled to the fifth knit course via a third set of held stitches that span a third set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the fifth knit course and the sixth knit course, wherein the third set of intermediary knit courses shares the common knit course with the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses.
The knit textile of claim 22, wherein each of the first set of intermediary knit courses, the second set of intermediary knit courses, and the third set of intermediary knit courses have a same number of knit courses.
The knit textile of claim 21, wherein in the first knit course a held stitch in the first set of held stitches is separated from an adjacent held stitch in the first set of held stitches by a knit stitch that forms a wale, the wale extending between the first knit course and the second knit course.
The knit textile of claim 21, wherein the first knit structure and the second knit structure form a knitted rib structure that extends in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile.
The knit textile of claim 25, wherein the knitted rib structure includes a first knitted rib portion corresponding to the first knit structure and a second knitted rib portion corresponding the second knit structure.
The knit textile of claim 26, wherein the first knitted rib portion extends linearly in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, and wherein the second knitted rib portion extends in a wale-wise direction with respect to the first knitted rib portion.
The knit textile of claim 27, wherein the knit textile is knit using at least a first yarn having a first color, a second yarn having a second color different from the first color, and a third yarn having a third color different from the first color and the second color.
The knit textile of claim 28, wherein the first knitted rib portion visually presents the first color when viewed from a first viewing angle, and wherein the second knitted rib portion visually presents the second color when viewed from the first viewing angle.
An article of apparel comprising:

a knit textile having a first knit construction comprising:

a first knitted rib portion comprising:

a first knit course, and

a second knit course coupled to the first knit course via a first set of held stitches that span a first set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the first knit course and the second knit course; and

a second knitted rib portion comprising:

a third knit course that is offset from the first knit course in a knitting direction, and

a fourth knit course that is offset from the second knit course in the knitting direction, the fourth knit course coupled to the third knit course via a second set of held stitches that span a second set of intermediary knit courses positioned between the third knit course and the fourth knit course, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least one common knit course.
The article of apparel of claim 30, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion form a knitted rib structure.
The article of apparel of claim 31, wherein the knitted rib structure extends in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile.
The article of apparel of claim 30, wherein the first knitted rib portion extends linearly in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, and wherein the second knitted rib portion extends in a wale-wise direction with respect to the first knitted rib portion.
The article of apparel of claim 30, wherein the article of apparel is an upper-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 34, wherein at least the first knitted rib portion extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a neck opening of the upper-body garment to a waist opening of the upper-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 30, wherein the article of apparel is a lower-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 36, wherein at least the first knitted rib portion extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a waist opening of the lower-body garment to a leg opening of a leg portion of the lower-body garment.
A method of manufacturing a knit textile, the method of manufacturing comprising:

forming a first knit structure by:

forming, in a first knit course, a first set of stitches including knit stitches and legs of a first set of held stitches,

forming, while holding the first set of held stitches, a first set of intermediary knit courses, and

forming, in a second knit course, a second set of stitches including knit stitches and heads of the first set of held stitches, the first set of held stitches spanning the first set of intermediary knit courses; and

forming a second knit structure by:

forming, in a third knit course that is offset from the first knit course in a knitting direction, a third set of stitches including knit stitches and leg of a second set of held stitches,

forming, while holding the second set of held stitches, a second set of intermediary knit courses, and

forming, in a fourth knit course that is offset from the second knit course in the knitting direction, a fourth set of stitches including knit stitches and heads of the second set of held stitches, the second set of held stitches spanning the second set of intermediary knit courses, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses share at least one common knit course.
The method of manufacturing the knit textile of claim 38, wherein the first set of intermediary knit courses and the second set of intermediary knit courses include a same number of knit courses.
The method of manufacturing the knit textile of claim 38, wherein in the first knit course a held stitch in the first set of held stitches is separated from an adjacent held stitch in the first set of held stitches by a knit stitch that forms a wale, the wale extending between the first knit course and the second knit course.
A knit textile comprising:

at least one knitted rib structure extending in a course-wise direction of the knit textile and further extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure comprising:

a first knitted rib portion having a first height measured in the z-direction of the knit textile, and

a second knitted rib portion having a second height measured in the z-direction of the knit textile, the second height different from the first height, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion share at least one common knit course.
The knit textile of claim 41, further comprising a third knitted rib portion having a third height measured in the z-direction of the knit textile, the third height different from each of the first height and the second height, wherein the third knitted rib portion shares that common knit course with the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion.
The knit textile of claim 42, wherein the third height of the third knitted rib portion is less than the second height of the second knitted rib portion, and wherein the second height of the second knitted rib portion is less than the first height of the first knitted rib portion.
The knit textile of claim 41, wherein areas of the knit textile at which the knitted rib structure is located exhibit a greater resistance to stretch than areas of the knit textile having a different knit construction.
The knit textile of claim 41, wherein the knit textile is knit in a repeating pattern comprising a first plurality of knit courses knit with a first yarn having a first color, a second plurality of knit courses knit with a second yarn having a second color, and a third plurality of knit courses knit with a third yarn having a third color, wherein each of the first color, the second color, and the third color are different.
The knit textile of claim 45, wherein the knitted rib structure visually presents the first color when viewed from a first viewing angle.
The knit textile of claim 41, further comprising a plurality of additional knitted rib structures, each of the plurality of additional knitted rib structures having a varying height in the z-direction of the knit textile.
The knit textile of claim 47, wherein the knitted rib structure and the plurality of additional knitted rib structures are located together at discrete areas of the knit textile to form a first stretch zone having a first resistance to stretch.
The knit textile of claim 48, wherein remaining areas of the knit textile do not include the knitted rib structure and the plurality of additional knitted rib structures, the remaining areas forming a second stretch zone with a second resistance to stretch, wherein the first resistance to stretch is greater than the second resistance to stretch.
An article of apparel comprising:

a knit textile having at least one knitted rib structure extending in a course-wise direction of the knit textile and further extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure comprising:

a first knitted rib portion having a first height measured in the z-direction of the knit textile, and

a second knitted rib portion having a second height measured in the z-direction of the knit textile, the second height different from the first height, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion share at least one common knit course.
The article of apparel of claim 50, wherein the article of apparel is an upper-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 51, wherein the knitted rib structure extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a neck opening of the upper-body garment to a waist opening of the upper-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 50, wherein the article of apparel is a lower-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 53, wherein the knitted rib structure extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a waist opening of the lower-body garment to a leg opening of the lower-body garment.
A knit textile comprising:

a first knitted rib structure extending in a course-wise direction of the knit textile and further extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile;

a second knitted rib structure offset from the first knitted rib structure in a knitting direction, the second knitted rib structure extending in the course-wise direction of the knit textile and further extending in the z-direction with respect to the x, y plane of the knit textile;

a first plurality of knit courses positioned between a first portion of the first knitted rib structure and a first portion of the second knitted rib structure; and

a second plurality of knit courses positioned between a second portion of the first knitted rib structure and a second portion of the second knitted rib structure, the first plurality of knit courses and the second plurality of knit courses sharing at least one common knit course, wherein the first plurality of knit courses comprises a greater number of knit courses than the second plurality of knit courses.
The knit textile of claim 55, wherein an area of the knit textile in which the first portion of the first knitted rib structure, the first portion of the second knitted rib structure, and the first plurality of knit courses is located exhibits a smaller resistance to stretch than an area of the knit textile where the second portion of the first knitted rib structure, the second portion of the second knitted rib structure, and the second plurality of knit courses is located.
The knit textile of claim 55, wherein the knit textile is knit in a repeating pattern comprising a first plurality of knit courses knit with a first yarn having a first color, a second plurality of knit courses knit with a second yarn having a second color, and a third plurality of knit courses knit with a third yarn having a third color, wherein each of the first color, the second color, and the third color are different.
The knit textile of claim 57, wherein each of the first knitted rib structure and the second knitted rib structure visually presents the first color when viewed from a first viewing angle.
The knit textile of claim 58, further comprising a plurality of additional knitted rib structures extending in the course-wise direction of the knit textile and further extending in the z-direction with respect to the x, y plane of the knit textile, the plurality of additional knitted rib structures having a substantially constant height as measured in the z-direction.
The knit textile of claim 59, the plurality of additional knitted rib structures visually presenting the first color when viewed from the first viewing angle.
A knit textile comprising:

at least one knitted rib structure extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure comprising:

a first knitted rib portion extending linearly in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, and

a second knitted rib portion that extends in a positive wale-wise direction with respect to the first knitted rib portion, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion share at least one common knit course.
The knit textile of claim 61, wherein the first knitted rib portion has a same height as measured in the z-direction as the second knitted rib portion.
The knit textile of claim 61, further comprising a third knitted rib portion that extends in a negative wale-wise direction with respect to the second knitted rib portion, the third knitted rib portion sharing the common knit course with at least the first knitted rib portion.
The knit textile of claim 63, wherein the knit textile is knit in a repeating pattern comprising a first plurality of knit courses knit with a first yarn having a first color, a second plurality of knit courses knit with a second yarn having a second color, and a third plurality of knit courses knit with a third yarn having a third color, wherein each of the first color, the second color, and the third color are different.
The knit textile of claim 64, wherein the first knitted rib portion visually presents the first color when viewed from a first viewing angle, the second knitted rib portion visually presents the second color when viewed from the first viewing angle, and the third knitted rib portion visually presents the third color when viewed from the first viewing angle.
An article of apparel comprising:

a knit textile comprising:

at least one knitted rib structure extending in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure comprising:

a first knitted rib portion extending linearly in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, and

a second knitted rib portion that extends in a positive wale-wise direction with respect to the first knitted rib portion, wherein the first knitted rib portion and the second knitted rib portion share at least one common knit course.
The article of apparel of claim 66, wherein the article of apparel is an upper-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 67, wherein the first knitted rib portion extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a neck opening of the upper-body garment to a waist opening of the upper-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 66, wherein the article of apparel is a lower-body garment.
The article of apparel of claim 69, wherein the first knitted rib portion extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical axis extending from a waist opening of the lower-body garment to a leg opening of a leg portion of the lower-body garment.
A knit textile comprising:

a knitted rib structure extending in a course-wise direction of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure having a substantially constant height as measured in a z-direction with respect to an x, y plane of the knit textile, the knitted rib structure alternately extending in a positive and negative wale-wise direction of the knit textile to form a wave form, the wave form comprising two or more wave periods and two or more wave amplitudes.
The knit textile of claim 71, wherein areas of the knitted rib structure having a relatively smaller wave period exhibit a greater resistance to stretch compared to areas of the knitted rib structure having a relatively greater wave period.
The knit textile of claim 71, wherein the knit textile is knit in a repeating pattern comprising a first plurality of knit courses knit with a first yarn having a first color, followed by a second plurality of knit courses knit with a second yarn having a second color, followed by a third plurality of knit courses knit with a third yarn having a third color, wherein each of the first color, the second color, and the third color are different.
The knit textile of claim 73, wherein respective midpoints of adjacent bands of the first plurality of knit courses are separated by a first distance.
The knit textile of claim 74, wherein a greatest wave amplitude of the two or more wave amplitudes is less than or equal to the twice the first distance.
The knit textile of claim 75, wherein the greatest wave amplitude of the two or more wave amplitudes is about the first distance.
The knit textile of claim 76, wherein different portions of the knitted rib structure respectively visually present each of the first color, the second color, and the third color when viewed from a first viewing angle as the knitted rib structure extends in the course-wise direction.
The knit textile of claim 71, wherein the wave form includes two or more different tangential angles.
The knit textile of claim 78, wherein a wave of the wave form includes two different tangential angles.