Effect of Yarn Folding on Comfort Properties of Hemp Knitted Fabrics

The operation of folding provides a complex yarn differing to an appreciable degree from single components. Although the characteristics of folded yarns have been the subject of many investigations, there is a serious lack of study concerned with the influence of yarn folding on comfort properties of clothing materials. Therefore, this study focused on the effect of yarn folding on both thermal and tactile comfort of plain knitted fabrics. In addition to the structural characteristics of the yarns and knitted fabrics, the transport properties, deformation behavior and surface properties of the knitted fabrics were investigated. The results obtained indicated that the influence of yarn folding on thermal and tactile comfort properties of clothing materials is mainly positive. These effects were caused by the modification of yarn packing density which further influenced the air volume distribution as well as the fiber and yarn mobility within the fabric.