There are different types of fabrics available on the market. These fabrics are often made with different types of natural and synthetic fibers which gives them unique characteristics. One of these amazing knit fabrics is chenille knit fabric which is also known for its softness. Due to its characteristics, this fabric is one of the most demanding fabrics among many designers and industries. Few fabrics can provide you with what the chenille knit fabric is providing you. The fabric is known not only for its softness but also for its great durability. The fabric became famous because of its long history in the past which later made it one of the most versatile fabrics out there. Everything from the knitting techniques to the weaving techniques of this fabric holds its value.
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What is Chenille Knit Fabric?
The chenille fabric is produced from chenille yarn. It is made of weaving short yarn piles that are channeled between two yarns. That makes the fabric soft, fuzzy, and luxurious looking. The name of the fabric originated from French which roughly translates to caterpillar. The reason behind this unfamiliar name lies in its patterns.
Unlike any other fabrics that have ribbed or raised patterns, chenille knit fabric has a raised or wooly texture. The reason for the fabric being highly versatile is because of the manufacturing materials that can be used to make this fabric. The fabric can be made with different types of synthetic and natural fibers that have different characteristics including cotton, wool, silk, nylon, rayon, and polyester. Starting from clothing to home decor, the different mixture of fibers has made the fabric suitable for different applications.
Manufacturing process
The knitting process of the fabric includes weaving one short yarn over two primary yarns which are then interwoven. This type of knitting process creates raised loops and wooly texture over the fabric. Since the fabric has a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers including cotton, wool, silk, nylon, and polyester, the fabric is rather soft. It has beautiful raised and wooly patterns that look similar to a caterpillar which provides warmth. After the knitting process, the fabric goes through a process of washing and shearing which makes the fabric comfortable. The dyeing process of the fabric creates different varieties of color options.
Characteristics of Chenille Knit Fabric
Softness
Due to the mixture of different fibers, both natural and synthetic, the chenille knit fabric has a mixture of different properties. As most of these fibers have something in common, that is the softness. The fabric is used in clothing and is often used for making colorful home decor.
Durability
The fabric gets its high durability from the raw fibers that are used to make the fabric. All the fibers including cotton, wool, silk, nylon, and polyester have excellent durability which makes them perfect for summer and winter wear.
Comfort
The fabric is comfortable because of its mixture of different natural fibers. These natural fibers have something in common, which is their soft nature. Fibers including cotton and wool have great comfort. It is great for keeping its user warm which makes it perfect for thick and warm garments like sweaters, blankets, and hoodies.
Colors
The fabric has a massive range of color options to pick from. These colors can range from vibrant to vintage styles that can make you look more luxurious to others.
Designs
Chenille knit fabric has a large number of design options that can make your apparel gorgeous. The most common design is the loops and wooly patterns which is also the most demanding of all the patterns.
Properties of Chenille Knit Fabric
| Fabric Name | Chenille Knit Fabric |
| Materials | Wool, cotton, nylon, polyester, rayon, and silk |
| Softness | High |
| Durability | High |
| Comfortability | High |
| Breathability | Good |
| Stretchability | Good |
| Shine | Normal |
| Fabric Weight | 240-500GSM |
| Color options | Good |
| Washing Temperature | Normal |
| Water Retention Ability | Good |
| Uses | Apparel, dresses, pants, sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, blankets, bedsheets, cushions, and curtains. |
Application of Chenille Knit Fabric
- Apparel: sweaters, trousers, hoodies, jackets, and T-shirts.
- Sportswear: leggings, tights, jackets and sportswear.
- Accessories: hats, scarves, mufflers, and beanies.
- Home decor: pillows, bedsheets, cushions, curtains, blankets, throws, carpets, and rugs.
Fabric care
The fabric is capable of handling hand washing due to its fabric properties. Although the fabric is easy to wash, it can get tricky when you try to remove deep stains from the fabric. You can brush the fabric once every two weeks since it has a wooly texture. Brushing the fabric will get rid of any dirt from the fabric and it will save your fabric from frequent washes.
The brushing process can be switched by using a vacuum cleaner which is a better alternative. It will protect your fabric since brushing too roughly could tear the fabric. You can easily remove stains from your fabric by simply hand washing the areas of stains. All you have to do is get a soft piece of cloth and apply some fabric-cleaning foam onto the cloth. Now you can gently rub it over the stains until it gets removed.
Conclusion
The fabric has been proven to be a highly versatile fabric that can accommodate your daily needs. The characteristics that you get from the fabric are possible due to the mixture of different fibers. The fabric is soft due to its high composition of natural fibers including wool and cotton. These natural fibers when mixed with synthetic fibers can give you a fabric with high quality and properties. The fabric is available in different weights which makes it a great choice for summer and winter wear. Due to the weight difference of the fabric, it can trap the body heat and keep you warm in winter. The fabric may lose its color after long uses but with proper care, it can last for a long time.
