
Types of Compression
- Flat Knit - Flat knit compression garments are made on a flatbed computerised knitting machine which is programmed to your exact measurements and these garments may have a seam.
- Circular Knit - Circular knit garments are seamless and are knitted on a computerised cylinder machine. ...
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Are circular or flat knit compression garments better for You?
Whether this garment is flat knit or circular knit, or a combination of both, a medical graduated compression garment that is actually worn will always be the more therapeutically effective garment.
What is a flat knitted fabric?
Flat knitting is a method for producing knitted fabrics in which the work is turned periodically, i.e., the fabric is worked with alternating sides facing the knitter. … Flat knitting is usually contrasted with circular knitting, in which the fabric is always knitted from the same side. What is flat knit compression?
Which compression garments are best for lymphedema?
Flat knit and circular knit graduated medical compression garments are both effective in managing lymphedema. When looking for a compression garment, rather than looking at flat knit or circular knit consider the following questions.
How are graduated compression garments made?
All graduated compression garments are manufactured using either flat knit or seamless circular knit machines. Traditionally, custom sleeves are seamed and flat-knit, however, those options are rapidly expanding to include seamless.

What are the differences between circular knitting and flat knitting?
Circular knit fabric has a gauge of 12 to 22. The higher the gauge is, the thinner the fabric. Flat knit is made with a machine that knits the fabric in sheets (or flat) and the gauge is 2 to 10. Flat knit is thick sweater fabric like your grandma makes sitting in a rocking chair with two needle-sticks.
What is flat compression?
Flat knit compression garments are short-stretch with better containment without pinching. This allows them to be more comfortable and easier to get on. Flat-knit compression garments are custom-made with the intention to fit the limb like a second skin, so they need to be measured by a certified fitter.
What are flat knit garments?
Flat-knit garments are made from an open piece of fabric. They are made on flat knit machines. The material is usually stiffer. Made for individual shapes and sizes. Less likely to dig into your skin, depending on the softness of the material.
What is flat knit fabric?
Flat knitting is a method for producing knitted fabrics in which the work is turned periodically, i.e., the fabric is worked with alternating sides facing the knitter.
What is the best compression for lymphedema?
Generally, more severe cases of lymphedema require a class 3 or 4 sleeves, whereas milder cases require class 1 or 2 sleeves. Some manufacturers also offer compression sleeves that exert as little as 15 mmHg to 20 mmHg for very mild cases of lymphedema.
When should you wear compression stockings?
Your doctor may recommend you wear compression socks for:Boosting circulation in the legs.Decreasing swelling in the legs and ankles.Improving lymphatic drainage.Managing orthostatic hypotension, or low blood pressure when you stand up after a period of sitting down.Preventing blood from pooling in the leg veins.More items...
What is a flat knit sweater?
Sometimes referred to as back and forth knitting, the art of flat knitting is a procedure that produces knitted goods by knitting from alternating sides of the material. This results in the production of a finished item that in effect has two faces or sides.
What are the types of flat knitting machine?
The manual flat knitting machines are widely used for knitting sweater parts.Image source: pinterest.com. Computerized knitting machine.Circular knitting machine for hosiery/socks manufacturing.Warp knitting machines. Tricot and Raschel are two warp knitting machines. ... Raschel knitting machine.Jacquard knitting machine.
Can you hand knit compression socks?
The compression stockings are knitted seamlessly from the lace to the cuff. The number of needles remains constant throughout the entire knitting process, whereas the stitch sizes vary and different circumferences can be knitted for one stocking. We won't leave you out in the rain.
What are types of knit fabrics?
There are two major varieties of knitting: weft knitting and warp knitting. In the more common weft knitting, the wales are perpendicular to the course of the yarn. In warp knitting, the wales and courses run roughly parallel.
How many types of knits are there?
The two basic types of knits are the weft, or filling knits—including plain, rib, purl, pattern, and double knits—and the warp knits—including tricot, raschel, and milanese.
What kind of needle is commonly used in flat knitting machine?
In a V-Bed machines needle beds are kept diagonally at the angle of 90 to 104 degrees. latch needles are commonly used. In a flat bed machines both beds are parallel to each other and double hook latch needle will be used.
Are all compression socks the same?
First, all compression socks are NOT created equal. “The quality of the material, the sizing, the durability and the amount of compression or pressure the garment provides all culminate into the final product,” explains Dr. Ichinose. “Some very economical support hose are not sized by careful measurement of your leg.
Can you knit compression socks?
The compression stockings are knitted seamlessly from the lace to the cuff. The number of needles remains constant throughout the entire knitting process, whereas the stitch sizes vary and different circumferences can be knitted for one stocking.
What is the difference between flat knit and circular knit?
The term commonly heard to distinguish between circular and flat knit is “containment.” It is not a medical term, but contextually it suggests that the stiffer, heavier knit of a flat knit garment can “contain” swelling more than the thinner fabric of circular knit. Research has shown this to be a misconception: a study conducted by the International Compression Club (ICC) concluded that the dynamic stiffness of circular knit and flat knit fabrics are not different [ 1 ]. Although flat knit may be heavier or thicker fabric, the study concluded that once a piece of fabric has a stretch to it (which both flat knit and circular knit have), then the stiffness is not very high. It is in direct contrast to short-stretch bandaging, which doesn’t stretch, and it’s why using multiple layer bandaging has a very different effect on a limb in lymphedema therapy in comparison to compression garments.
How does a flat knit machine work?
A flat knit machine typically creates a sheet of fabric that must be cut and sewn by a seamstress according to a pattern to create the finished garment. This process inherently creates seams in the garment as the edges are joined. On the other hand, a flat knit v-bed machine differs from regular flat knit by introducing a second bed of needles that replaces the need for a seamstress. With that second bed of needles built into the machine, complex structures (like a glove) can be knit without any seams but still utilizing the same flat knit methodology.
How are they knit?
A circular knitting machine works by using yarn with a 360-degree cartridge of needles which creates a seamless tube of fabric - much like how a sock is constructed. The knitting machine and the associated program defines the yarn tension at any given point to create the garment shape, and compression properties are determined by the yarn delivery system which regulates the length of the inlayed Lycra yarn.
What is a custom sleeve?
Traditionally, custom sleeves are seamed and flat-knit, however, those options are rapidly expanding to include seamless. There are many commonalities between these two different knit types; both circular knit and flat knit medical graduated compression garments work by increasing the pressure in the limb and by moving fluid from an area ...
Which compression garment is more therapeutically effective?
Whether this garment is flat knit or circular knit, or a combination of both, a medical graduated compression garment that is actually worn will always be the more therapeutically effective garment.
Why are knits used in bodybuilding?
The garments are knit to have more pressure at the most distal point in the body with the pressure decreasing gradually towards the core of the body to help move stagnating fluid out of the affected limb. The term commonly heard to distinguish between circular and flat knit is “containment.”.
Does multiple layer bandaging stretch?
It is in direct contrast to short-stretch bandaging, which doesn’t stretch, and it’s why using multiple layer bandaging has a very different effect on a limb in lymphedema therapy in comparison to compression garments.
How are compression stockings knitted?
The compression stockings are knitted seamlessly from the lace to the cuff. The number of needles remains constant throughout the entire knitting process, whereas the stitch sizes vary and different circumferences can be knitted for one stocking. We won't leave you out in the rain.
What is the difference between circular knitted stockings and flat knitted stockings?
But what exactly is the difference between the two? Circular-knitted stockings are produced seamlessly and spirally, while flat-knitted compression stockings have a suture and can exert a high flat pressure on the leg using robust materials.
What is compression stocking?
Compression stockings, which are intended for the treatment of vein disorders, are produced using the circular knitting method and are therefore similar to conventional stockings . Lymph patients with edema are treated with flat-knitted compression stockings.
How many needles are in a circular knitting machine?
Circular knitting machines work with a round cylinder containing between 300 and 520 needles.
What is variable number of stitches in stockings?
The variable number of stitches in the stockings means that even very different body shapes and sizes can be made to fit perfectly. Compared to circular-knitted stockings, flat-knitted products are less elastic but form a stable barrier thanks to the fixed stitch size.
How long does it take to knit a stocking?
Depending on the design, a stocking is ready within four and a half minutes. For example, about eight kilometers of yarn is processed in a thigh stocking. Circular-knitted stockings are characterized by a higher elasticity than their flat-knitted counterparts.
Is thrombosis stocking considered compression stocking?
Support and thrombosis stockings are not considered medical compression stockings.
What is circular knit fabric?
A FABRIC MADE BY CIRCULAR KNITTING. Circular Knitting is a method by which yarn is manipulated to create a textile or fabric. Knitting creates multiple loops of yarn, called stitches, in a line or tube. Knitting has multiple. active stitches on the needle at one time.
What is the easiest knitting machine to use?
The Singer Knitting Machine is the most suitable machine for absolute beginners such as kids doing crafts. This circular knitting machine comes in a wide range of sizes, shapes and varieties. It is designed for almost any type or weight knitting yarn.
What is knit fabric example?
Examples include button up shirts, trousers, jeans, denim jackets. Knit fabric is produced by interloping (or knitting) one set of yarn. Examples include leggings, t shirts, sweaters, underwear.
What is a circular stitch?
Circular knitting or knitting in the round is a form of knitting that creates a seamless tube. Work in the round is begun by casting on stitches as for flat knitting but then joining the ends of that row of stitches to form a circle.
Is knit fabric good for summer?
This soft, fluffy and lightweight fabric is perfect for the summers and can help you keep cool. Moreover, cotton knits are fashioned in the manner that there are airy loops which allow proper air circulation and make the heat bearable.
