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The History of Knitting Industry Development in China

Posted: 12/18/2015 02:12:26 Edited: 12/18/2015 03:12:26Clicks: 8668

Modern knitting technology is developed from early hand knitting. Knitting industry is a young sector in the whole textile industry, having history of more than 400 years, while Chinese knitting industry has only more than 80 years. However, hand knitted products have existed for a long time, originated fishing net knitted by hominids in ancient times. The early hand knitting used two or several wood or bone straight needles, bending yarns, and then, looping one by one into simple rough knitted products. Afterwards, hand knitting developed into a kind of cottage industries gradually. Knitting machinery in China were developed later. Hand knitting and hand crocheting were always playing an important role, continuing for a long time and spreading so far. The level of hand knitting technology in China is quite high, able to knit quite complicated products which cannot be finished on machine. 
 
Form hand knitting to machine weaving 
Archaeology in 1982 showed that hand braided fabrics had already existed in China in the 4th century B.C. Since 1589, the first knitting machine invented by William Lee for knitting sox, knitting production changed from hand to semi-mechanization. After Industrial Revolution, mechanized spinning and weaving promoted knitting machinery to develop. The first knitting machine used in China was imported to Shanghai and Guangzhou from abroad in the late of Qing Dynasty. 
 
Weft knitting
In 1986, weft knitted fabrics began to be made in China. Then, weft knitting technology was developed slowly. Before the World WarⅠ, knitting industry in China was in birth period. There were only a few knitting factories in China and market was occupied by foreign goods. When the war broke out, import of foreign goods was reduced and China knitting industry was developed. Chinese businessmen set up knitting factories. Production capacity grew greatly and category also increased. 
 
Warp knitting
Warp knitting was developed lately in China. Around 1920, latch needle warp knitting machine was imported to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Yingkou from abroad. 
 
Knitted products have been spread from traditional underwear to out wear, clothing to household, ornament, medical, agricultural, infiltrating into every field of woven fabrics. The categories of design and color are also increased constantly. After establishment of PRC, knitting industry has been highly developed. Yield and quality rise steadily and new products increase constantly. Amount of knitted yarn in 1980 grew by nearly 20 times, compared with 1949. China has already set up professional knitting machinery plants and knitting factories. Knitted products have been sold abroad. Proportion of knitting in the whole textile industry is larger and larger. 
 
The History of Knitting Industry Development in China