Prediction of the handle characteristics of lightweight next-to-skin knitted fabrics using a fabric extraction technique

By testing fabric extraction properties, the PhabrOmeter Fabric Evaluation System offers the potential for routine objective evaluation of fabric handle. In this paper, a series of simple linear models has been developed using fabric extraction curve data for a series of lightweight next-to-skin knitted wool fabrics. These models predict eight fabric handle characteristics: overall handle, rough–smooth, hard–soft, loose–tight, heavy–light, hairy–clean, warm–cool and greasy–dry. The models were validated using an independent set of fabrics. The prediction precision of the models is significantly better than the precision of an experienced individual assessor. Keywords: handle characteristicslightweight knitted fabricssubjective and objective evaluationsfabric extraction Acknowledgements Many thanks from the authors are due to the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation and Australian Wool Innovation for funding this project. We also express our sincere thanks to Dr. Paul Swan of Paul G. Swan and Associations Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia, for his suggestions about the deconstruction of the extraction curves.