Which statement best describes the stretch characteristics of knit and woven fabrics?

Which statement best describes the stretch characteristics of knit and woven fabrics?

• A. Knits do not stretch at all.
• B. Wovens stretch more than knits.
• C. Knits stretch due to loops, while wovens have less stretch and require different stabilizing techniques.
• D. Both stretch equally.

Answer: (C)

Stretch comes from how the fabric is built. Knits are made of interlocking loops, so the yarns can slide and extend easily, giving noticeable stretch in multiple directions depending on the knit. Wovens, on the other hand, are a fixed warp-and-weft grid that resists movement along the grain, with only a little give—mostly on the bias. Because of that, knits naturally stretch, while wovens have less stretch and typically need stabilizing techniques to prevent distortion when sewing. That combination—knits stretch due to loops, wovens have less stretch and require different stabilizing techniques—best describes the contrast.

Stretch comes from how the fabric is built. Knits are made of interlocking loops, so the yarns can slide and extend easily, giving noticeable stretch in multiple directions depending on the knit. Wovens, on the other hand, are a fixed warp-and-weft grid that resists movement along the grain, with only a little give—mostly on the bias. Because of that, knits naturally stretch, while wovens have less stretch and typically need stabilizing techniques to prevent distortion when sewing. That combination—knits stretch due to loops, wovens have less stretch and require different stabilizing techniques—best describes the contrast.