Single Jersey Curling and the Finishing Sold as a Fix
Single jersey curl stems from unbalanced yarn torque and asymmetrical loop tension; durable flat performance demands structural yarn balancing rather than temporary resin finishes.
Alternate Yarn Feed
Feeder Configuration
Circular knitting machine setups distribute different yarn types across sequential feeding stations to alter fabric structure or performance. This practice, known as alternate yarn feed, creates striped, plated, or reinforced fabrics by utilizing multiple cones of yarn in a alternating pattern. It prevents the finished fabric from displaying severe barre or structural imbalance.
Structural Mechanics
Knitting cycles employ alternating feeds to combine elastic and inelastic yarns in high-stretch garments. An alternate yarn feed arrangement feeds elastomeric filaments to one station while spinning cotton or synthetic yarn into the next station. This process ensures that the elastic yarn is trapped securely within the knit loops without being exposed directly on the fabric face.
Surface Design
Varying the yarn properties in this sequence yields functional zones in sportswear and technical apparel. Through alternate yarn feed, mills can introduce hydrophobic and hydrophilic yarns in the consecutive courses to optimize moisture movement from the skin to the outer atmosphere. The engineered pattern provides a physical moisture transfer system that remains active for the lifetime of the garment.
It also allows the construction of complex textures without adding weight to the fabric, which helps in creating lightweight apparel with high structural integrity and durability.
Plating Action
Defects in the yarn tension can cause fabric skewing when alternate feeds are misaligned on the machine frame. When implementing alternate yarn feed, tensioners must be calibrated to ensure identical delivery rates at all active feeds. If one yarn feed runs tighter than the other, the fabric can develop diagonal spirality, which makes cutting and sewing impossible.