Discover the value and utility of cotton circular knits and understand all their potentialities.
It is possible to choose different circular knits. There are several options on the market with very distinct characteristics. Each version has particularities that make them particularly useful in different contexts. For example, knits produced from natural, artificial, or synthetic fibers allow the creation of unique products.
However, in this article, we will focus our attention on cotton circular knits. This is a special material, which has several advantages over others. There is a variety of circular knits that it is important to know because, by better understanding circular knits, you can create unique, original, and authentic products.
Cotton production involves a complex process, with agricultural exploitation of thousands and thousands of hectares worldwide. It can be produced more traditionally, or it can use the latest technological innovations.
Circular knits are the result of a specific knitting process that uses a circular loom. Circular knits are characterized by their softness. A wide variety of circular knits allow different types of solutions to be presented. The selection of the most suitable circular knit should consider the product you want to create.
From the set of various types of circular knits available, we can highlight those that are designed from natural fibers. In this field, there are also many options of natural fibers, namely: hemp, wool, nettle fiber, bamboo, and cotton, among other options.
Cotton is a natural fiber recognized worldwide. It is one of the most used options on the planet. It is possible to conceive excellent circular knits. Cotton fiber allows adaptation to various environments.
This natural fiber can have 1001 applications, being used in the fashion area, in the home decoration sector, among many others. It is famous for the comfort it generates and for the breathability and versatility it allows. However, it can present itself in different forms, from conventional to recycled.
There are different types of circular knits. For example, the circular knit can be made of SUPIMA® cotton, organic or recycled.
It is common to find on the market solutions that use different fibers and combine these with cotton. 100% cotton circular knits are made without the use of other types of fibers. As the name suggests, this type of circular knit is produced “in 100% cotton”.
Conventional cotton cultivation is one of the most practiced types of agriculture around the world. However, it is very dependent on the intensive use of certain chemicals and pesticides.
Generally, in the areas and lands where cotton is grown, there is an impact on the quality of water, air, soil and even on the health of farmers. For example, pesticides interfere with the natural course of rivers and cause damage to the environment around them, namely fauna and flora.
Organic cotton is a product that stands out for the methods used in its cultivation. In its cultivation, only products certified by independent and competent organizations are used.
This organic cotton solution promotes diversified agriculture, which allows the maintenance and restoration of soil fertility. In the cultivation and production of organic cotton, there is no recourse to chemicals, nor to the genetic modification of cotton plants.
This type of cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Therefore, these are methods that aim to have the least possible impact on the environment. This solution is highly sought after by companies committed to environmentally friendly practices.
Organic cotton is not the only ecological option. Circular knits produced from recycled cotton are also an environmentally friendly solution. The use of recycled cotton in the textile industry has grown significantly over the past few years.
The environmental and climatic concerns that consumers and producers assume help justify this growth. This solution integrates a set of sustainable alternatives to the use of more conventional raw materials.
Recycled cotton uses the best sustainable practices, contributing to giving a new life to the inevitable production surpluses for the manufacture of new pieces. Circular knits make use of post-industrial and post-consumer cotton waste. Therefore, companies that want to reduce their carbon footprint, for example, should consider this solution.
Recycled cotton helps reduce environmental impact and promotes the fight against waste. At the same time, it provides the same feeling of excellence.
SUPIMA® cotton is premium. This version is grown exclusively in the United States of America. SUPIMA® represents less than 1% of all cotton grown on the planet.
This type of cotton stands out for presenting an extra-long fiber, giving it unparalleled excellence, with unique properties, highlighting its greater resistance, softness, and color retention.
SUPIMA® is used to create very high-quality circular knits. Its extra-long natural fibers average about 4 cm.
It is in its fibers that we find what distinguishes it from the rest. SUPIMA® cotton is almost twice the size of the other fibers used in the textile industry, which tend to have an average of 2.5 cm.
Circular knits present a soft, resistant fiber with a great absorption capacity. Because of these characteristics, this is one of the most sold types of materials in the world.
There are different types of circular knits, standing out for the size of their natural fibers. However, there are three distinct categories that we should consider.
This category of circular knits presents the finest and most delicate natural fibers. Its size is between 2.5 cm and 6.5 cm. Its fibers allow to present a soft circular knit, knitted from Pima, Giza or Sea Island cotton.
On the market, there is Pima in much smaller quantities than the other types of cotton, because it is very difficult to cultivate and maintain. Therefore, given its qualities, its price is quite superior.
The Pima natural fiber type is mostly used in the creation of premium circular knits, of magnificent quality. The largest productions of Pima are found in South America and the Southwest of the United States of America.
The fiber of Egyptian cotton is one of the most popular fibers in this 1st category, namely Giza, which has a worldwide recognized fame.
North American producers formed an association of Pima cotton producers. The union of these producers aimed to present a product of superior quality to the competition.
In this way, Pima, from the United States of America, came to be called SUPIMA®. Naturally, this name intends to present a Superior Pima (SUPIMA), which refers to a quality circular knit, highly sought after by the biggest brands.
In this category, we can find fibers whose sizes are between 1.3 cm and 3.3 cm. Although it is mostly grown in Central and North America, about 90% of all world production integrates the circular knits of the second category. The most recognized type in this category is produced in the United States of America and is called Upland.
The cotton fibers in the 3rd category are shorter. They are generally used in a type of more common textile pieces or in the manufacture of carpets.
At ITJV, you can find some of the best circular knits on the market. There is a vast set of circular knits that can meet the needs of any company.
It is important to consider that there is no ideal circular knit. There are different options more suitable for different scenarios. The intended final product helps determine the most appropriate choice.
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