Functional clothing is important for fiber selection and knitting structure. The fibers determine the speed of damping, the wetness of the knitted and reflective fabric, the drying rate and also the coloring, the possibility of dyeing and printing, the degree of abrasion, the viscosity and the shrinkage.
The binding structure determines the degree of thermal insulation, the moisture holding rate, the drying rate, the mechanical properties and the complexity of the workmanship. “The properties of individual types of fibers combined with different bindings or a combination of fibers and bindings make it possible to create the resulting knitwear for different climatic conditions and physical load,” remarks Melos Piety.
Natural reflective materials, now called renewable, have been used since time immemorial. The most famous cotton and wool can be added today with viscose and bamboo fiber. Their utility properties have been tested by various climatic conditions over many centuries. However, they cannot meet the requirements we expect from the fiber today – they must be light, strong, flexible, pleasant to touch, non-absorbent, well-drained water, also cool in the summer and warm in the winter, thermally inert. They must be resistant to bacteria, molds and insects and must be well maintained.
Natural materials, however, have a high absorbency compared to synthetic fibers. An exception here is a wave which, even with a high absorption, does not awaken, unless you can do more than it can handle. Body moisture is stored in the fiber structure and evaporates very slowly. It’s the same speed as drying after washing.
Merino sheep’s wool is very fine and its 14-16 micron fibers are acceptable for sensitive skin. Stronger fibers are not suitable for linen production. The wool absorbs odors and has a self-cleaning ability, no particles of dust or dirt fall on the fibers. Current technologies can better classify the wool, and only high-quality reflective yarn is produced from the longest fibers.