7 Different Types Of Fabrics Used For Making Sweaters

With the colder months upon us, it is finally time to get our winter outfits out of our of cupboards. Among various other types of winter clothes, sweaters are a fall and winter fashion essential. Though they might look simple to wear and easy to style, they might be more complex thank than you think. While choosing the right kind of sweater, factors like the fabric of the sweater, it knit pattern, etc. play an important role to determine a sweater’s warmth, durability and feel.

Though different types of sweaters use different types of fabrics, it is always best to opt for the ones made with natural fibres instead of the synthetic ones as they feel better, look better and as well last longer. Here is a list of different types of fabrics that are most commonly used to make sweaters for women and men.

1. Wool

Wool, or more specifically, sheep wool, is one of the most common fabrics in the industry that is used for making sweaters and all winter clothes. Also, there are varying grades of wool that directly influences the softness and warmth of the wool. Merino, Shetland, Lambswool are some of the most common types of wool used in the making of sweaters. Merino wool offers the softest sweaters. Lambswool is the second closest in terms of softness followed by Shetland. Sweaters that fill itchy are usually made of coarse wool, more than likely Shetland.

1. Cashmere

One of the most expensive sweater materials, cashmere does not come off from sheep but instead from the goat. Made from the soft undercoat of the cashmere goats, it is considered to be a luxury material in the sweater knitting world. Plus, its notably soft, lightweight and is sure to keep one warm on those cold winter days.

1. Cotton

After wool, cotton is one of the most common types of material that is used to make sweaters. Despite being soft and lightweights, sweaters made from cotton are durable and cool. Given its lightweight nature, cotton sweaters make for the best options to wear during spring or summer when the nights get chilly.

1. Silk

100% silk sweaters are not very common but adding silk to the sweater knits is sure to give one that extra insulation. Silk is soft and is very durable. Plus, it can retain heat hence the insulation.

1. Acrylic

Acrylic is a synthetic fibre or a manmade fibre that imitates many of the desirable qualities od wool at a much lower price range. It is also lightweight, soft and will keep one warm during the colder months. Acrylic can also be manufactured to resemble fur, thus making it a popular fibre for faux-fur vests.

1. Specialty Fibres

You may also encounter certain types of sweaters made from specialty fibres, such as alpaca or angora. Both of these fibres are natural and animal-based and have similar properties as that of wool.

1. Fibre Blends

It is not an uncommon practice in the world of fashion to see sweaters made from two different blends of fabrics, such as wool and cotton, which gives the wearer the best characteristics of both the materials.

Bedside the material one must also look for the various other things like the fit of the sweater, its knit pattern, level of formality offered by the sweater, etc. when shopping for winter sweaters.