#Knitting & Hosiery

2019-08-28

Net fabrics with a touch of extravagance

Embroidery ground with a uniform pattern produced on the TM WEFT (c) 2019 KARL MAYER

KARL MAYER is stepping up its operations in the home textiles sector. Particularly encouraged by the feedback from its weft-inserted, warp-knitted textiles at the last Heimtextil fair in January 2019 in Frankfurt, this manufacturer has further optimised its machine technology for producing fine, fashionable, net curtain fabrics, and has created a stylish collection to show examples of the products.

Its commitment to window fashions has two main focuses: transparent, voile-like embroidery grounds, produced on a TM WEFT with the appropriate configuration, and fine fabrics with a woven look produced on the new WEFT.FASHION TM 3 by processing fancy yarns.

Embroidery grounds with an untypical design for typical embroidery

The TM WEFT, with a gauge of E 24, was launched in January 2019 as an innovative new machine for producing interlinings efficiently. KARL MAYER is currently working on a gauge of E 28 for home textile applications. With its finer gauge, this tricot machine with weft insertion is designed to produce fashionable embroidery grounds. Delicate veil-like fabrics with lustrous effects produced by the shimmering yarns can be produced, as well as filigree fabrics with subtle linear designs. This uniform look is based on working different stitch densities and a specific pattern. The TM WEFT works a combination of a pillar stitch, inlay and magazine weft to produce unconventional embroidery grounds. The yarn, which is incorporated over the entire working width, creates a different look and guarantees crosswise stability, which prevents undesirable elongation when the fabric is rotated about an angle of 90° for use as net curtains. More designs can be produced by using different yarns that are easy to process. Jan Hippich says that this concept for the embroidery ground business has been particularly well received by Turkish producers, who are leading this sector. The Head of Product Portfolio Management at KARL MAYER presented the weft-inserted, warp-knitted fabrics for this application at Heimtextil 2019, and had many conversations about them. Many representatives from the weaving sector were also interested. Their leno weaves mean that they are familiar with the look and slip resistance of fabrics produced on the TM WEFT, but they can be produced much more efficiently. Once all the development work had been completed, the TM WEFT, with a working width of 247", should be able to simultaneously produce two net curtain webs, or 120 m of net curtaining per hour. Furthermore, there is generally no need to carry out sizing when producing warp-knitted net curtains. Stylish, on trend fabrics can be produced for an attractive cost. An example can be seen in the pattern part of this issue.

Net curtain designs with special effects

If the pattern effects are not going to be embroidered on, but rather incorporated directly into the net curtaining fabrics, the WEFT.FASHION TM 3 would be the machine of choice. This new tricot machine has three guide bars and can insert medium-weight fancy yarns as magazine weft yarns. “We incorporated more than ten different fancy yarns in the weft zone, and combined them with a ground made from polyester multifilament yarns of 40 den or 50 den. The tests ran perfectly smoothly, and we produced some exceptional patterns,” says Kay Burkhardt from KARL MAYER’s Application Technology Department. Textiles produced on the WEFT.FASHION TM 3 were a real highlight on the company’s stand at ITMA 2019. The delicately patterned fabrics combine fine lattice grounds with a variety of attractive linear designs to create a stylish look that has been a popular feature of woven fabrics for some time. Strict geometrical patterns, as well as irregular, organic structures with a natural look and many other designs can also be produced. Possibilities and new ideas for creations were the subject of many conversations held during the most recent trade fairs. As well as offering a wide variety of different looks, the slip-resistant fabrics deliver all the technological advantages of warp knitting over weaving for producing fabrics, i.e. no sizing process and a higher productivity. Examples can be found in the pattern part of this issue.

The WEFT.FASHION TM 3, a specialist in producing warp-knitted home textiles

The WEFT.FASHION TM 3 is an efficient tricot machine featuring weft insertion in line with the stitches for producing medium- weight home textiles. The machine delivers an exceptional cost:benefit ratio, runs extremely reliably, and is easy to operate. It is available in a gauge of E 24 and with a working width of 132". Net curtain lengths of up to 3.25 m can be worked. The first machines will be delivered at the end this year to a development partner for carrying out practical trials. Production machines will be available for delivery in 2020.

New business momentum for the Turkish warp knitting industry

Warp knitting companies can look forward to new opportunities for their business development when they visit the KARL MAYER stand at ITM. At the important trade fair in Istanbul, the industry leader will be presenting selected solutions to support customers in a market that is as important as it is difficult. The focus will be on flexibility and speed.

More Jacquard. More functionality. More fashion.

With the addition of another member to its successful RASCHELTRONIC® family, KARL MAYER is opening up new possibilities for creative product development for warp knitting mills and brands. The RJ 4/2 EL offers with two stitch-forming Jacquard bars entirely new design options for functional sportswear and bi-elastic lingerie. Available in gauges E 28 and E 32, this new model helps manufacturers set their collections apart from the competition. The fine E-32 gauges, in particular, impress with their clean surface, a pleasantly soft feel, and an exceptionally elegant look.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.