Weft Knitting

Weft-knit fabrics may also be knit with multiple yarns, usually to produce interesting color patterns. The two most common approaches are

• Intarsia

• Double Knitting

In intarsia, the yarns are used in well-segregated regions, e.g., a red apple on a field of green.In that case, the yarns are kept on separate spools and only one is knitted at any time.

In the more complex double knitting, two or more yarns alternate repeatedly within one row and all the yarns must be carried along the row, as seen in Fair Isle sweaters. Double knitting can produce two separate knitted fabrics simultaneously, e.g., two socks.However, the two fabrics are usually integrated into one, giving it great warmth and excellent drape.