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Cloth Face Mask: Knit vs Woven Fabric

Cloth Face Mask Knit Fabric and Woven Fabric Comparison Title

Knit Fabric vs Woven Fabric

The most important part of any face mask is the materials used. The fabric determines the filtration, breathability, comfort, and even the fit of your mask, all of which are crucial to how it performs. There are a number of factors we had to consider when deciding which material we would use, but here we’re going to focus the two most common fabric structures: knit fabrics and woven fabrics. Each type of fabric offers its own unique performance that makes them better suited for different uses. So let’s take a closer look at those differences and why we choose to use a knit fabric.

Cloth Face Mask Fabric Comparison Woven Fabric Black

Woven fabrics are more or less what most people picture when they think of a typical loom. At their most basic, woven fabrics are made by interlacing two sets of yarns and creating sort of a grid or checkered pattern. The yarns are straight, meet each other at right angles, and run in two directions. They a flat sheet of fabric that only stretches along one direction. Woven fabrics are most often used for non-apparel textiles like bedsheets, curtains, and towels, or garments like dress pants, dress shirts, and jeans.

Cloth Face Mask Fabric Comparison Knit Fabric Black

Knit fabrics are made by connecting loops of yarn, rather than straight laces. In fact, you can see these loops if you look closely enough at your mask. You’ll notice that the surface of the fabric looks almost 3-dimensional, with “peaks” and “valleys” between the rows of yarns. These loops can be easily stretched in different directions, making knit fabrics much more elastic than woven fabrics. These comfortable fabrics are commonly used in casual and active clothing of all kinds, including tees, sweatshirts, and socks.

Cloth Face Mask Fabric Comparison Benefits of Knit Fabric

Why Our Cloth Face Mask Uses Knit Fabric

Fit

The added elasticity of knit fabrics makes them ideal for a well-fitting face mask. It allows the mask to easily stretch when you put it on, forming a tighter but more comfortable seal against your skin. A closer fit eliminates gaps for air to flow between the mask and your skin.

Moisture Absorption

Knit fabrics, especially cotton like we use in our Cloth Face Mask, are excellent for moisture wicking. The loops of the fabric form small openings between the yarns, serving as tiny pockets that hold small amounts of air or moisture. This is ideal for a face mask because it helps absorb more moisture and droplets from coughs, sneezes, and normal day-to-day activities.

Breathability

Breathability is an extremely important factor in a face mask's performance, which you can read about here. A mask that allows more air flow not only allows you to breathe more easily, it’s also crucial for any filtration effects. Knit fabrics are great for breathability because of their looped construction. Rather than forming a flat, compact wall like a woven fabric, the interlocked loops of our knit cotton create a complex and 3-dimensional pattern of yarns and pockets. This lets air flow through the mask while still helping provide coverage and absorb moisture.