https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-difference-between-a-woven-top-and-a-knit-top Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 06:13:49 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-difference-between-a-woven-top-and-a-knit-top#post-687433 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:36:20 +0000 Angie 687433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shabby your assumptions are not safe at all! :)</p> <p>Diana is 100% spot on. </p> <p>Knits and Wovens can either be: structured, unstructured, cheap or expensive.</p> <p>A knit is ALWAYS stretchy, but a woven is only stretchy when it's cut on the bias or has a spandex component. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-difference-between-a-woven-top-and-a-knit-top#post-687427 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:28:42 +0000 Lisa 687427@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great question. I like using the idea that knits are more stretchy and casual than woven tops. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-difference-between-a-woven-top-and-a-knit-top#post-686997 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:36:15 +0000 Diana 686997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think in general knits are indeed more unstructured just by virtue of how they are constructed. However, it is possible to make a structured garment out of knit material (if the stitches are very tight and the fiber somewhat stiff - like unprocessed wool). On the flip side, most muumuus are woven! So, yes, I'd say generally knits are more unstructured but there are exceptions. </p> <p>As for price, I think fiber content is much more of a factor than whether it is knit or woven. Polyester is cheap, whether it is a knit or a woven. For more luxury fibers, like silk, knits tend to actually be MORE expensive because you generally need more of it by weight to make the same size fabric. Other luxury fibers, like cashmere, are almost exclusively found in knit fabrications (unless they are blended with something stronger) because cashmere is a very weak, short fiber that isn't too good for weaving. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-difference-between-a-woven-top-and-a-knit-top#post-686991 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:30:52 +0000 Anonymous 686991@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Is it safe to say then that knits are unstructured and woven is structured? Knits cheaper and woven more expensive? Or no? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-difference-between-a-woven-top-and-a-knit-top#post-686990 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:28:18 +0000 Anonymous 686990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elizabeth~ It's good to be back! I've popped in from time to time to see what you all have been up to...thank you for the description, it helps! ;)</p> <p>Diana~Wow, you sure do know a lot! Thanks so much! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-difference-between-a-woven-top-and-a-knit-top#post-686974 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:16:44 +0000 Diana 686974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So the essential difference is how the threads within the fabric are arranged. A woven fabric is made up of two sets of straight threads (warp and weft) at right angles to each other. It's made on a loom. A knit fabric, on the other hand, is made of a series of looped threads and is made by using needles to essentially loop the yarn around itself. This means the knit fabric, regardless of fiber composition, is going to be stretchier because the loops can stretch in all directions. The woven fabric can only stretch, and only minimally, along the bias, because the horizontal and vertical threads are already pulled taut when the fabric is made. Therefore, woven fabrics are much less flexible but also have more structure. </p> <p><a href="http://csimodule.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/woven-fabric-vs-knitted-fabric/"> This page </a> has a visual example.</p> <p>ETA - the example of knit on that page is only one type of knit. It's the most common, called stockinette stitch, with a distinctive stitch pattern that looks like stacked v's. But there are other types of knit stitches, but the common factor is that if you pull them taut, you will see a series of loops. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-difference-between-a-woven-top-and-a-knit-top#post-686972 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:16:40 +0000 Aziraphale 686972@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shabbychick! Long time no see. Good to see you back. :-)</p> <p>The difference has to do with how the threads interlock. The fabric itself can be anything. Like, a 100% cotton button-front shirt is woven, but a cotton tee shirt is knit. Knits tend to be stretchy (think tee shirts, sweaters) and wovens are not (think button-front shirts and blouses). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-the-difference-between-a-woven-top-and-a-knit-top#post-686969 Tue, 07 Aug 2012 15:09:34 +0000 Anonymous 686969@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no idea what these look like. Can you give me descriptions or examples, maybe pictures of the two? Thanks!! </p>