Knitted fabrics add comfort, flexibility, warmth and softness to clothing. It is also possible to add special properties, such as fire-resistance or moisture wicking, to knitwear that is used in demanding applications. There are high quality requirements for knitwear that is subject to demanding use, but we don’t compromise on eco-friendliness.
What’s the difference between knitted and woven fabric? We first need to mention flexibility. By nature, knitted fabrics have a structure whereby the stitches sometimes grow and sometimes shrink. This makes the knitted fabric comfortable and flexible during wear.
“Knitted fabrics have plenty of great properties, but they also have some that are challenging. The flexibility of knitted fabric is both a blessing and a curse. You need to be able to control and manage the flexibility,” says Project Manager Päivi Pajunen, knitted fabric specialist at Foxa.
“The durability of knitted fabric depends on the structure of the knitwear, the composition of the material, and how the yarn was spun. The requirements are much stricter for workwear than for consumer products, where common problems include pilling and shrinking in the wash. Knee bagging occurs when the stitches do not shrink back after stretching.”
Foxa continuously develops the quality control for its fabrics. New testing equipment specifically designed for testing knitwear was recently purchased for Foxa’s own laboratory.
“We test to ensure that our manufacturing partners’ own quality control works. The laboratory also plays a key role when we’re developing new knitwear,” says Päivi Pajunen.
A huge range of knitwear
Foxa has cooperation agreements with two large Spanish knitted fabric manufacturers, Geisa Fabrics and Marina Textil. These manufacturers’ ranges contain a large number of knitted fabrics for various purposes.
“We also carry out product development and manufacturing cooperation with several other knitted fabric manufacturers. A diverse network of textile mills means that we can find the right product for each customer and application from the most suitable manufacturer,” says Salla Hintsanen, who is responsible for knitted fabric procurement at Foxa.
“We always find out in as much detail as possible what the customer is looking for and wants from the knitwear, and what the intended purpose is.”
Spanish fabric manufacturer Marina Textil specialises in fire-resistant knitted fabrics. Their products are technical and designed for specialist use.
“Marina Textil also accepts small-batch orders, which makes it possible to obtain the knitted fabrics in your preferred colour,” says Hintsanen.
Geisa’s range includes many different kinds of knitted fabrics for leisure and work alike. For example, they also stock knitted fabric onto which you can print your own pattern. They have a large range of technical knits with a wide variety of properties, such as moisture-wicking, anti-static, cut-resistant, or odour-neutralising fabrics. The properties can also be combined in a single product.
“Geisa’s three-dimensional knitted fabrics, known as spacers, are used in backpacks, as padding in shoes, and as breathable layers. The same material was also used in our bullet-proof vests, both as padding and to improve ventilation in the back part of the vest. Spacers are incredibly versatile and are able to add thermal insulation without increasing the weight of the garment or accessory.”
Foxa’s own product development
Foxa develops knitwear for its customers’ wide-ranging and individual needs. For example, product development work has resulted in technical knitwear for armies in northern Europe, including tube scarves, undergarments, thermal undergarments, and combat shirts.
For the healthcare sector, meanwhile, Foxa has developed versatile and comfortable knitwear for patients and nurses.
“Product development work naturally begins with the intended purpose of the garment. Our network spans a wide range of manufacturers, which allows us to choose the most suitable manufacturer for the fabric in question. The mills are also highly specialised, each with their own strengths,” explains Heli Sukki, who is responsible for product development at Foxa.
Customers may have several wishes for their knitwear. These are also accounted for in product development.
“Eco-friendliness and the recyclability of fibres are important properties for many customers nowadays. Of course, durability and versatility are also highly desirable. We primarily develop our knitwear so that it can also withstand higher washing temperatures and industrial laundering,” says Heli Sukki.