Knitting apparatus

Abstract

Decorative knitted fabrics have a basic weft knit structure with patterned effects produced by a warp yarn loops of which cover selected loops of weft yarn so as to be visible on the face of the fabric. The fabrics are produced by feeding warp yarns to selected needles of a straight bar knitting machine in addition to the normal weft yarn and controlling the tension of the yarn such that the warp yarn loops cover the corresponding weft yarn loops in the desired manner. To ensure the desired structure, it is preferred that the tension in the warp yarn should be relatively high when the yarn is wrapped round the selected needles but relatively low when the needles execute their knitting motion. Apparatus for producing these fabrics includes warp yarn guides which can be moved to and fro in front and behind the knitting needles and moved sideways past one or more needle positions. The warp guides can be swung upwards to clear the needles during fashioning movements. Warp tensioning means including a brake on the warp supply spool and a pair of cooperating bars or wires, moved in timed relationship with the knitting cycle, ensure that the correct tension sequence is observed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.