KNITTING ELEMENTS

SINKERS

Introduction to Sinker
The Sinker is the second primary knitting element. It is a thin metal plate with an individual or collective action operating approximately at right angles from the hook side of the needle bed, between adjacent needles.

Objectives of the Sinker

It may perform one or more of the following functions, dependent upon the machines knitting action and consequent sinker shape and movement. Loop Formation Holding Down Knocking Over

The main objective of the sinker is to assist the needles in loop formation by sinking or knitting the newly laid yarn into a loop. As its forward edge of catch (C) advantages between the two adjoining needles. This is only for bearded needle.

Loop Formation

Holding Down
It is the more common function of the sinker on modern machines. It holds down the old loops at a lower level of the needle stems than the new loops that are being formed, and prevents the old loops from being lifted as the needles rise to clear them from their hooks.

Knocking Over
The third function is a knocking over at which the needle passes through the old loop by drawing a new loop. Here, its upper surface or belly (B) supports the old loop as the new loop is drawn through it.

Role Of Sinker In Various Machines

Tricot Warp Knitting Machine V-Bed Flat Weft Knitting Machine Circular Weft Knitting Machine

Tricot Warp Knitting Machine

Objective: A slot or throat is cut to hold or control the loop.

The sinker belly is shaped to assist with landing as well as knock-over.

Role in the Tricot Knitting Cycle

0- knocking over position: The sinker bar moves forward into the holding down position. 60- holding down: The sinker bar is in the forward holding down position, 120 - swinging through of guide bars & 185- overlapping of the warp yarns: Holding Down position of the sinker is slackened. 315- closing of the needles and casting off: The sinker bar has reached the foremost position. 330- beginning of casting off: The yarns laying into the hooks are passed through the loops being cast off to the form new loops. The sinker bar starts to move forward.

V-Bed
Sinkers help to hold the fabric in position down between the needle beds during the clearing part of the knitting cycle.

During the knock-over part of the needle cycle, the sinkers retract so that the knock-over of the old loops can take place.

Special Feature
They are particularly effective when selected needles along the bed are producing loops at a faster rate than others, i.e. during multiple tucking or holding when fabric is not being produced uniformly across the width of the machine.

Circular Weft Knitting Machine

a)

d)

e) b)

c)

Role of Sinker In the Knitting Cycle.

a) The sinkers have moved forward so that the fabric is held by the sinker throats. b) , c) and d) show the knitting cycle with the sinkers first moving forward to grip the fabric prior to clearing . c) shows yarn feeding with the feeder moving towards the viewer and positioning the new yarn across the open hook of the needle. e) shows the needle moving down after knock-over to draw the new loop.

References
www.knitopedia.co.uk www.newagepublishers.com www.warpknitting4u.com Books Knitting Technology by David J. Spencer Textile- Reference Book For Knitting

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