Knitting is an ancient and refined art that requires skill, creativity, and passion.
Those who love wearing knitted garments appreciate the softness, warmth, and comfort they offer.
But not all knitted garments are the same: in fact, there are different types of processing that affect the quality, fit, and aesthetics of the products.
In this article, we want to illustrate the differences between two of the main knitting techniques: cut-and-sew knitwear and fully fashioned knitwear.
What is cut-and-sew knitwear?
Cut-and-sew knitwear is a technique that involves cutting all parts of a pattern from a single knit fabric. Then the various pieces are assembled using a special machine called a tagliacuci.
This working method is simpler and faster, but it has some disadvantages, including for example:
- the cut knitwear garment fits less closely to the body
- the seams are more visible and less durable
- Finally, due to the technique that involves cutting and sewing pieces of knitwear together, fabric scraps are produced that must be disposed of.
Cut-and-sew knitting is often used to make garments intended for the Fast Fashion market, where consumers follow current trends. Moreover, these are garments that generally do not require great attention to detail from those who buy them and thus satisfy this type of need.
What is cut-and-drop knitting?
Cut-and-drop knitting is instead a more sophisticated and artisanal technique, requiring greater skill from those who produce it.
Cut-and-drop knitting consists of creating curves and turns in the fabric by dropping the needles of the machine (lowering them in practice) to achieve the desired shapes.
For example, the needles of the flat knitting machine can be dropped to create components of the sweater such as the collar or armhole.
This method, although more complex, has many benefits:
- the garment is more harmonious and functional
- the seams are cleaner and more precise
- no material waste is produced.
- the knitwear garment looks definitely more beautiful and refined
Cut-and-drop knitting is often used to create classic garments that offer superior fit and a touch of sophistication, thanks to the artisanal care in their production.
Lanaioli cut-and-drop knitwear
In conclusion, we can say that cut-and-sew knitting and cut-and-drop knitting are two different techniques, suited to different needs and tastes.
Cut-and-sew knitting is more economical and practical, but less durable and refined. The cut-and-drop knitting is more expensive and laborious, but more comfortable and elegant.
The choice depends on the type of garment you want to make and the audience you want to target.
We Lanaioli prefer the cut-and-sew technique, which is the method most used by our artisans for particularly valuable productions such as the 100% men's cashmere sweaters from our collection.
Many garments in the production of women's pure cashmere sweaters are made using the cut-and-sew technique, for greater refinement and class for those who wear them.
