The topology of a knit fabric is not a simple one. In woven fabric, strands usually run straight horizontally and vertically. But in case of knitted yarn, strands follow a loopy path along its row. A knitted fabric is stretchy in all directions. Depending on the yarn fiber and the specific pattern used, some are more stretchable than others. This is because there is no single straight line of yarn anywhere in the knitted pattern. This stretchiness is not seen in woven fabrics. That is why in most of modern stretchy garments, some of their stretch is attained through knit patterns, even as they rely on elastic synthetic materials for stretch.

All knitted fabric have a definite right side and wrong side. The visible portions of the loops are the verticals connecting two rows, arranged in a grid of V shapes on the right side. On the wrong side, the ends of the loops, both the tops and bottoms are visible.

Stitches on the knitted fabric can be worked from either side. Many patterns are created by mixing regular knit stitches with the "wrong side" stitches, known as purl stitches, either in rows (garter or welting), columns (ribbing) or more complex patterns. Each knitted fabric has different properties. For example, a garter stitch stretches much more vertically, while ribbing stitches have more of a horizontal stretch.

Depending on various stitches and patterns, knitted fabric can be:

• Gauzy to very dense
• Highly stretchy to relatively stiff
• Flat to tightly curled

Texture of Knitted Fabrics
Knitting yarns have been developed to provide a wide range of textures. Some of the varied and interesting types that have been developed are as follows:

• Boucle or loop yarn
• Chenille
• Double-knit
• Slubbed
• Nubbed
• Rayon chainette
• Ribbon yarn
• Felted ribbon yarn
• Eyelash or fun fur
• Ratine

The appearance of a garment is also affected by the weight of the yarn. The weight describes the thickness of the spun fiber. The thinner the yarn, the finer the texture of the knitted fabric and thicker the yarn, the more visible and apparent the stitches will be.

Color and Pattern
Plenty of finished knitting fabrics never use more than a single colour of yarn, but there are varieties of ways to work in multiple colours. Some yarns are dyed to be either self-striping (changing every few rows) or variegated (changing colour every few stitches). When knitting with yarns whose colours change, it is best to alternate every other row. This will allow the knitted garment to have a random colour variation.

Knitting yarn is available un-dyed or can be dyed in various colors by the manufacturer or the user. An extensive array of colors is available, which also includes single color and multi-color skeins. Yarn is dyed in batches or lots, and within such a lot the colour will match nearly perfectly. Single colors may be uniform, or they may be space-dyed. Hand painted, self-patterning like jacquard, fairisle or chevron and self-striping yarn are some of the new innovations in knitting yarn. Yarn with multiple shades of the same color is called ombre, while a yarn with multiple hues may be known as a given colorway. For example: a green, red and yellow yarn might be called as the "Parrot Colorway" by its manufacturer. Tweed yarns may have greater amounts of different coloured fibers while heathered yarns contain small amounts of fiber of different colours.

Properties of Knitted Fabrics in a Nutshell
The basic properties of knitted fabrics are known from their advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

• Stretchable
• Absorbent
• Light in weight
• Figure-hugging yet comfortable
• Wrinkle resistant

Disadvantages

• It shrinks
• Some knitted fabrics lose their shape and sag
• If one of the loops of a knitted garment breaks, a hole is made which starts a run.