Textile and Apparel Science

Evaluating Compression Variation for Seamless Knitted Fabrics: An Experimental Study Using Kikuhime Sensors

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Abstract

Scientific knowledge about compression garments, such as sports bras, is necessary due to the established detrimental health effects caused by wearing the wrong size compressive garments. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate how compression of seamless knitted fabrics changes between dry and wet conditions, when variations of knit stitch type, tension and length are used. Six different fabrics knitted on a 15” diameter circular knitting machine, using recycled polyester, spandex and wool yarns were combined to knit a jacquard pattern. A medical grade Kikuhime device was used to measure the pressure between knitted tubes and the body of a mannequin. The mean pressure significantly decreased from dry condition to wet condition, and the fabric density had a significant effect on pressure. Moreover, a more tensioned fabric construction resulted in a greater variability of compression between dry and wet conditions.

Keywords: sports bra, seamless, compression, knitting

How to Cite:

Gorea, A. & Ellis, K., (2020) “Evaluating Compression Variation for Seamless Knitted Fabrics: An Experimental Study Using Kikuhime Sensors”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 77(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.11983