Geometrical Models for Balanced Rib Knitted Fabrics Part I: Conventionally Knitted 1 × 1 Rib Fabrics

The 1 × 1 rib knitted fabric is mostly used for collar, cuff, waistband, etc. of outerwear knitted garments and it is also very popular nowadays for using as preforms of knitted composite structures. A geometrical model to predict the dimensional properties of conventionally knitted 1 × 1 rib fabric is created and given in part I of this series of papers. With the 1 × 1 rib model, relaxation mechanism and the effect of tightness on conventionally knitted 1 × 1 rib fabrics of wool are attempted to be explained (as an example of application of the model).