What Type of Circular Knitting Machine Is Used to Make Yoga Wear Fabric?
Yoga wear has become a staple in the modern wardrobe — not just for exercise, but also for everyday comfort and athleisure style. Behind the stretch, breathability, and second-skin feel of yoga clothing is a sophisticated textile process. At the heart of it lies a specialized machine: the circular knitting machine.
To produce the high-performance fabrics used in yoga apparel, manufacturers typically use double jersey circular knitting machines and single jersey circular knitting machines with spandex plating or elastane feeders. These machines are designed to knit highly elastic, durable, and smooth fabrics that support the body during movement while providing excellent comfort.
Key Machine Types for Yoga Fabric:
Single Jersey Circular Knitting Machine with Lycra/Spandex Plating
This is the most commonly used machine for knitting yoga fabric. It features a single set of needles and can create fabrics with great elasticity and a fine, smooth surface. By integrating spandex (Lycra) yarns through a plating feeder system, the fabric gains the necessary stretch and recovery properties needed in yoga wear.
Interlock and Rib Double Jersey Circular Knitting Machines
These machines have two needle beds, allowing them to knit thicker, more stable fabrics such as double-knit jerseys, interlocks, or engineered ribs. They are used when the desired yoga fabric needs more structure, opacity, or compression. They also allow for better shape retention in tight-fitting apparel.
Jacquard Circular Knitting Machines
For yoga garments with patterns or textures, manufacturers turn to electronic or mechanical jacquard machines. These advanced circular knitting machines can incorporate mesh zones, ribbing, or engineered ventilation patterns directly into the fabric, ideal for performance and design.
Yarn and Fiber Considerations
While the machine type plays a vital role, the yarn used also determines the quality of the final yoga fabric. Nylon and polyester blended with spandex are common choices, offering a balance of durability, moisture-wicking, and elasticity. These yarns run smoothly on high-speed circular knitting machines, enabling consistent fabric production.
Why Circular Knitting Machines Are Ideal
The circular knitting machine is favored for yoga wear due to its ability to produce seamless or nearly seamless tubular fabrics. This reduces chafing, enhances comfort, and allows for ergonomic designs. Moreover, these machines are capable of high-speed production with excellent control over fabric density, weight, and stretch.
When it comes to manufacturing yoga apparel, precision and performance start at the fiber level — and continue through the knitting process. The single jersey circular knitting machine with spandex plating and double jersey machines are the workhorses behind today’s advanced yoga fabrics. These machines combine technology, flexibility, and speed to meet the demands of activewear brands and consumers alike.
From four-way stretch to breathable mesh zones, today’s yoga fabric innovation wouldn’t be possible without the remarkable capabilities of the circular knitting machine.