Stable knitted fabrics with weft–warp knit features and directional elasticity

Knitted fabrics are widely applied in various fields for their elasticity, breathability, and versatility. However, conventional weft-knitted garments often “grow” in length after wearing for a period of time, particularly if elastomeric yarns are used to achieve high stretch. Here, a novel strategy is reported to achieve stable and directionally elastic weft-knitted fabrics without using any elastane. By adopting features of a warp knit structure and strategically interlocking loops to restrict deformation in the wale direction, the new fabric structure achieves good stability and directional elasticity primarily in the course direction. This property has been confirmed through finite-element modeling and with knitted fabrics consisting of Tencel/polyester, pure cotton, cotton/polyester, and Modal/polyester yarns. This work will shed light on creating stable-structured yet directionally elastic knitted fabrics with wide applications in functional activewear, healthcare, and home textiles.