Knit Fabric vs Woven Fabric: Key Differences Explained

Knit fabric and woven fabric are two types of cloth we use regularly in our daily lives. They may look somewhat similar at first, but they are constructed very differently and behave distinctly from one another. Knitting with the ribbing technique involves looping yarn around itself to create a fabric, which gives it stretchy and softness. Woven fabric, in contrast, is constructed by weaving yarns over and under one another — giving it more strength and less stretch. It’s helpful to know how these materials differ when you have to choose what fabric is best for clothes, crafts, or your latest DIY project. Knowing those differences has be en very important for Rarfusion to be able to send a great fabric match your customers’ way. 

Where to Source Knit and Woven Fabrics in Wholesale Quality 

It can be tough to find enough great Knit Fabric and woven fabrics. At Rarfusion, we understand the value of quality. When you purchase wholesale, your fabric has to be of an impeccable quality in order to work as a product. Knit fabrics usually have more stretch and softness, however, so the yarn quality and how well it was knit matter quite a lot. Indeed, even a knit fabric that looks great at first can lose its shape or get holes after wearing it a bit. That’s why we scrutinize every batch, closely. Woven fabrics must have a tight weave with consistent threads to avoid weak points. Unbalanced threads could mean that the fabric rips or frays prematurely. All the time, we’ve had buyers come to us having gotten stuck with fabric that felt rough or changed color the first time it was washed. Rarfusion collaborates with mills we trust who use the best fibers and machines to prevent such issues. We test the strength, color fastness, and fit of fabric samples in our lab before we approve them for customers. Plus, we have advice on what material is best for different products. For instance, stretchy knit fabric makes wonderful t-shirts and active wear, while woven fabric is ideal for jeans or jackets that have to retain their shape. When you buy from reputable sources like Rarfusion, you save time and money because you will get lasting fabric that performs. Not all good cloth is the cheapest, so don’t automatically go with that—good cloth can help you look great and make your customers feel great too. We help you reach the perfect balance between price and quality to make your business a success. 

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Purchasing Knit vs Woven Fabric Wholesale

Purchasing knit and woven fabric in quantity can be far more a pain than what even most expect. From what we’ve seen here at Rarfgusion, one reason for this is inconsistency. It’s as if you were to order a nice fat roll of good-quality knit fabric for hoodies, but some of it stretched and some didn’t, or half was blotchy. This can spoil the entire batch of merchandise. It knit fabrics might sometimes pull back after you have washed them or snap if not sewn correctly. Woven fabrics can have defects like loose threads or irregular thickness that become evident only after being cut and sewn together. Another problem is incorrect fabric weight or texture. Buyers sometimes request a certain thickness only to have the fabric they receive feel too light or heavy, which might not suit their design. That’s a mistake many people make when we order too little sample prior to buying in large quantity. I’ve sewed orders in which the fabric appeared fine in small swatches, but did not act well in mass when made into larger pieces. Shipping and storage also may affect quality. Knit fabric is more fragile and can be more prone to both snags and soiling. Fabric like woven can simply have a fold that isn’t flattened out and some of its smoothness will disappear. At Rarfusion we advise our customers to check the fabric upon arrival and what to observe during storage. Communication is key too. Hell, a better explanation of what you need to do and  more questions can help you avoid shockers. For example, if you’re looking for a stretchy knit fabric that maintains its color after dozens of washes, know what you mean. Our staff offers you valuable advice from years of experience in manufacturing so you don’t fall into these traps. Less frustration, better products. Smart purchasing is part of smart products. We are here to support you every step of the way. 

Which Knit Fabric Elements Wholesale Buyers in the Fashion Industry Love

thanks to its high elasticity and shapeliness, among other characteristics unique to knit fabric. A primary factor is how comfortable and stretchy Knit fabric feels. Rather than crossing threads to create woven fabric, which is a much tighter construction, knit fabric constructs using loops and the merging of stitches. This looping makes the fabric very stretchy, so it can move and bend. For this reason clothes that are knit are comfortable to wear. T-shirts, leggings and sweaters are so popular because when they are made of knit fabric, people can move in them and feel softness against the skin. And wholesale buyers really like this because their customers want clothes that feel good all day. 

Knit fabric is also popular because of its shape retention. Even when stretched, high-quality knit fabric will rebound to its former shape without becoming slack or baggy. It’s especially important for items of clothing that need to look crisp and clean after repeated wearing.  Knit fabric also exists in many varieties, such as jersey, rib-knit and interlock, providing designers with a lot of options for creating different styles of garments. A full knit fabric selection of textures and weights aids wholesale buyers in the search for perfect fabrics that fit various seasons or fashion trends. 

Finally, knit fabric can be easier to sew because it does not unravel the way woven fabrics do. That’s less waste and faster production times, a boon to wholesale buyers who need to produce a lot of clothing fast. The extensive range of Rarofusion’s Knit Fabrics enables fashion buyers to source the best quality fabric that includes comfort, style and is easy to manufacture by using knitted fabrics which are also very popular in the industry. 

How Knit Pricng is Different from Woven Pricing

Between wholesale pricing, knit qualities and woven qualities make for different costs however, and it’s important that buyers at places like Rarfusion understand why. It usually costs a premium over woven fabric because making the loops that create its stretch requires special machines and abilities. The process of knitting fabric is also slower some times, which can increase the price. But the price difference isn’t substantial, and many shoppers feel that the extra cost is worth it for the comfort and fit of knit fabric. 

The other reason that knit fabric can cost more are the types of fibres that are used. A knit that is made of cotton or polyester might be priced lower than a knit that is made from wool, or special blends. Woven fabric also comes in many different prices based on material and weave pattern. But because woven fabric is created by weaving threads closely together, it can be made in high volumes more quickly, which may lower the price for large orders. 

At Rarfusion, wholesale buyers also take into account how much fabric they need to purchase. Knit fabric is generally more stretchy, meaning you may need less to produce some styles of clothing and can therefore save money. On the flip side, woven fabric has less give and can require more material to allow for movement and fitting — extras that drive costs up. Buyers also consider how the fabric will be used. For instance knit fabric is used to make everyday clothing and sportswear, also woven fabrics are used widely for making uniforms or formal clothes. 

Simply put, knit fabric costs more because of it’s special properties (like stretch and comfort) than woven fabrics. But wholesale buyers at Rarfusion know that picking out the right fabric involves a bit of price-cost analysis — what will I get for this money? 

Tips for Choosing Knit or Woven Fabric for Large Orders

Bulk buyers including Rarfusion have to make a tough decision while choosing between knit and woven fabric. Here are a few key things to consider to help ensure the final product is just right. One: What kind of clothing is it being used to produce? If the design requires lots of stretch, or maximum comfort — think T-shirts, leggings and casual dresses — knit is typically the way to go. The feel of knit fabric moves with the body and is soft, something customers appreciate. But if the fabric has to look crisp and hold a shape, such as for shirts, jackets or pants, woven is better. Woven fabric is sturdier and doesn’t stretch a ton, so it maintains a crisp and tailored appearance. 

Another thing to consider is its ease of handling in the production process. Knit fabric comes together more easily as you sew because it doesn’t fray, so there’s less waste and fewer accidental seams splitting. This can be a time and money saver if you're making clothes in quantity. When working with a woven fabric, it must be cut and sewn more accurately because the edges can fray if they are not properly handled. So the factory - if a factory has an experienced worker and good equipment, you can produce woven fabric well; it will take more time, but you can do that. 

And consider the washing and care of those clothes. Knitted fleece fabric generally holds up after countless laundering and remains soft, which customers appreciate. Woven material may shrink or become misshapen if thrown in with any old laundry, so woven fabric might need special cleaning instructions. Rarfusion wholesale buyers also need to think about the season and style trends. Knit fabric is known to be a cool-weather textile, as it has the ability to keep you warm with its thick material, but lightweight knits are available for warmer months, like summer. Woven fabric is available in all sorts of weights and finishes so you can find the right type for every season. 

For bulk orders: knit or woven fabric choice of clothing, production demand and customer preference. Wholesale buyers at Rarfusion can therefore take advantage of the selection to get a combination of all three elements: great-looking and comfortable fabric that is also cost-effective to manufacture.