Knitted terry (loop-back)

Knitted terry is a knit with tall, towel-like loops formed by a special yarn, usually on one or both faces. It is produced on circular machines fitted for loop formation. Unlike french terry, where the loops are small and only serve as a back, in knitted terry the loops are tall and cover the surface.

The fabric is soft, absorbent and stretchy. It is used for robes, sports towels, loungewear and children's articles. Compared with woven terry it is more elastic and drapes more softly, but less dimensionally stable.

Woven terry is made by interlacing perpendicular yarns, with loops formed from the warp. It is more stable, thicker, more durable in washing and does not stretch. Knitted terry is made from linked loops, so it is elastic, follows the body and drapes softly, but it can lose shape and may be less dense.

For bath towels, woven terry is used almost exclusively. For soft robes, loungewear, sportswear and children's items, knitted terry is more comfortable. When cutting, the knitted type needs knit needles and a stretch stitch.

Knitted velour is made from knitted terry whose loops are sheared off at the surface, leaving a short, dense, velvety pile similar to plush. The face feels soft and has a light sheen that depends on the pile direction. The back stays looped or can be smooth.

It is used for luxury tracksuits, robes and loungewear. Because it is sensitive to cutting direction, all pieces must be cut with the pile running the same way, otherwise the shade looks different. Avoid hard rubbing or pressing, which can flatten the pile.

Shearing cuts the surface fibres to a uniform height with rotating blades, usually after brushing. It is applied to brushed or looped knits such as terry or polar fleece to obtain an even layer with no stray fibres and a cleaner look. It can also reduce pilling, because it removes the fibre tips that would tangle. Excessive shearing thins the fabric and lowers GSM. Specify whether you want a plush surface, a short-sheared one or just brushed, because the final look differs a lot.

Knitted terry, with loops on one or both faces, is trending because it feels like a soft towel and absorbs moisture well. It is used for home sets, shorts, summer polos and beach clothing. Typical weight is 220–340 g/m², and cotton or a polyester blend changes the hand feel. Watch lint and print: ink penetrates a looped surface poorly. Ask for a sample and test it after washing. If you want a print, talk to the printer early and ask for a test on the same fabric.