Added 2026-10-12 from trending overseas buyer search questions. We update this centre daily.
Woven fabric is built from two yarn systems — warp (lengthwise) and weft (crosswise) — interlaced at right angles on a loom, producing a stable grid. Knit fabric is built from a single yarn looped through itself, interlocked in vertical columns (wales) and horizontal rows (courses), producing a flexible structure. Almost every difference buyers care about — stretch, fraying, sewability — follows from this one structural fact.
| Property | Woven | Knit |
|---|---|---|
| Stretch & recovery | Stable; needs elastane to stretch | Inherent stretch from loop geometry |
| Shape & drape | Holds a crisp silhouette and a sharp crease | Soft drape; can grow or curl |
| Wind & cover | Tight weaves can be wind-resistant | Often more open and breathable |
| Cut & sew | Cuts and sews precisely for tailoring | Needs care to avoid stretch distortion |
GSM is mass per area, not construction. A 180 GSM woven poplin is a light, semi-sheer summer shirting; a 180 GSM cotton jersey is a substantial, heavyweight T-shirt. The knit loop structure traps air and adds loft, so the same grammage feels and performs completely differently. Always state knit or woven when you quote or ask for a weight — a single unqualified GSM has caused real sourcing errors.
Wovens have a fixed warp/weft grid, so strength is measured by pulling along one axis: tensile strength (ISO 13934-1/2, ASTM D5034/D5035) and tear strength (Elmendorf, ISO 13937-1 / ASTM D1424). See our tensile & tear guide.
Knits have no fixed yarn direction, so a straight tensile pull is misleading. Bursting strength (ISO 13938-1 hydraulic method, ASTM D3786 ball method) applies multidirectional force until the cloth ruptures — closer to how a knee or elbow loads the fabric in use. The two methods are each correct for their structure; they are not interchangeable.
Nantong Huayuan Textile is an integrated woven mill: yarn dyeing, weaving, fabric dyeing, printing and finishing all run on one site. We do not produce knits. The guidance above is written so you can specify the right structure for each panel; for the woven parts we develop in-house across poplin, twill, oxford, chambray, yarn-dyed shirting and more — see the woven range. Made-to-order runs at 2,000 metres per colour, sampling is charged and credited against the bulk order, and lead time is confirmed in writing at enquiry. Enquiry email: gxy@ntboerli.com.
Usually, because the loop structure gives inherent stretch. But a dense, stable knit can stretch less than a woven that contains elastane. Always test the actual cloth in the direction you need.
Yes, and it is a common sourcing error. A 180 GSM woven poplin and a 180 GSM cotton jersey are entirely different cloths. State the construction (knit or woven) whenever you give or ask for a weight.
Wovens have a fixed warp/weft grid, so strength is measured by pulling along one axis (tensile and tear). Knits have no fixed yarn direction, so a straight pull is misleading; bursting strength applies force in all directions at once. Both are correct for their structure, just not interchangeable.
No. We are a woven mill and produce woven cloth only. For the woven panels in your garment we can develop and supply directly; for knit parts you would source from a knitting specialist.