Changes of tactile feeling for cotton knitted fabric by laundering

- Differences between fabrics with Siro-spun and Ring-spun yarns -

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of spinning method of cotton yarn on the tactile feeling (hand) of the knitted fabrics by laundering. Two cotton knitted fabrics of rib stitch were made with two yarns of the same yarn count made by Siro- and Ring-spinning methods. Hand of samples for laundering 0 and 20 times were compared using Scheffe’s paired comparison. Bending and surface properties of the samples were measured using Kawabata Evaluation System. It was found that the hand of the knitted fabric by Ring spun yarn was greatly changed by washing as compared with one of Siro-spun yarn. In particular, there was a significant difference by the spinning method in "smoothness". It was also found that B and 2HB of both C and E changed by laundering. However, MIU and SMD of C wan not changed by laundering although ones of E changed by laundering. However, those were not directly correlated with the hand changes. Therefore, other mechanical properties should be necessary to predict smooth feeling.