METHOD FOR KNITTING DENSE ZONES AND KNIT OBTAINED

Abstract

A method for the circular knitting of a knit including at least one dense zone, in which the dense zone(s) of the knit is or are achieved via knitting an alternation, in each row of stitches, of a first and second row of jersey stitches. The first row of jersey stitches is knitted on a first selection of needles, and includes knitting at least one tuck stitch within the row of jersey stitches, so as to form binding points with the sinker loops of the second row of stitches. The second row of jersey stitches is knitted with a second selection of needles and includes knitting with a reinforcing yarn in addition to the stitch-forming yarn. These dense zones can be used to increase the opaqueness of the knit at certain specific locations and thus create shapes for aesthetic purposes, or to reinforce the knit to make it more wear-resistant.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the technical field of circular knitting, and more particularly, to the circular knitting of footwear.

BACKGROUND

Knits may be produced in a known manner by varying the selection of needles and yarns so as to obtain a knit with different mechanical or aesthetic characteristics depending on the zones of the knit considered.

For example, in a known manner, extra yarns may be added, known as reinforcement yarns, in certain zones of the knit, such that the knit contains more material in these zones. These are therefore dense zones.

It is possible to add a reinforcement yarn only every other row of stitches, within a dense zone. The density obtained is higher than that of the rest of the knit, but not sufficiently so. If used to increase the strength of the knit, it does not reinforce the knit sufficiently for it to have a decent level of wear resistance. If used to increase the opacity of the knit, the addition of the extra yarn results in an irregular appearance of the knit, in that it causes unsightly stripes to appear. This is due to the spacing between the rows of stitches containing the reinforcing yarn, visually creating a succession of fully and slightly opaque lines.

It is also possible to add a reinforcement yarn for each row of stitches, within the dense zone. The density obtained is satisfactory, because it is significantly higher than that of the rest of the knit. However, this solution leads to production difficulties and knitting defects.

Indeed, the reinforcement yarns are used only in dense zones of the knit. When they are not used, they must be held in a so-called idle position within the knitting machine. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the knitted yarns in the idle position (A) are held by a brake plate (4) which pinches the yarns. It can be seen that if the knit contains a large number of yarns, the brake plate must consequently retain a large number of yarns.

However, if there is a need to obtain zones that are much denser than the rest of the knit, for example, by adding a reinforcement yarn for each row of stitches, the number of yarns in the knit becomes too high and the brake plate (4) can no longer play its role of retaining the yarns: in fact, adjusting the air-gap under the brake plate (4) requires either a huge or excessive amount of attention to detail and is very difficult to achieve due to the very design of the machine. The idle yarns are not properly positioned, such that they are not picked correctly by the needles. This results in machine stoppages, or knitting defects. In the latter case, the dense zone is not homogeneous and the knit is produced with a visual defect.

On the other hand, unused reinforcement yarns are cut off, and the off-cuts must be removed from the knitting machine. When too much reinforcement yarns are used, the machine is unable to remove all of the waste, such that it accumulates and creates a blockage at the removal point. Once again, the consequences may be a machine stoppage, or at the very least, a knitting defect.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One of the aims of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, by proposing an industrial and optimised knitting method enabling dense zones to be obtained on one knit. These dense zones can be used to increase the opaqueness of the knit at certain specific locations and thus create shapes for aesthetic purposes, or to reinforce the knit to make it more wear-resistant.

For this purpose, a method has been developed for circular knitting of a knit by using a knitting machine, wherein the circular knit is formed from a plurality of rows of stitches knitted with a stitch-forming yarn, and comprises at least one dense zone.

The notion of a “circular knit” is defined as a knit produced on a circular loom, as suggested by the standard ISO 8388. Because of the way it is manufactured, this circular knit has visible characteristics such that it may be differentiated from a tubular “straight knit” manufactured on a straight loom. In particular, a visible feature of the “circular knit” is the absence of an edge stitch binding zone. The edge stitch binding zone is located on a tubular “flat knit”, due to the need to form a tube, for connecting the adjacent edges of the flat knit produced. Thus, to create a “circular knit”, it is possible to produce a tubular knit with the same stitch structure around the entire circumference of the item. On the contrary, on a flat knit, a visible line will necessarily appear along the tubular item with a stitch structure different from the rest of the item. This line corresponds to this edge stitch binding zone of the edge stitches.

According to the invention, the dense zone or zones of the circular knit is or are achieved via knitting an alternation, in each row of stitches of a first and second row of jersey stitches, such as:

• • the first row of jersey stitches is knitted on a first selection of needles, and includes at least one tuck stitch within the row of jersey stitches, so as to form binding points with the sinker loops of the second row of jersey stitches,
  • the second row of jersey stitches is knitted with a second selection of needles and includes knitting with a reinforcing yarn in addition to the stitch-forming yarn.

The combination of the two rows of stitches obtained by their specific needle selections densifies the knit, while avoiding the need to add a reinforcing yarn to each row of stitches, which is responsible for production losses due to blockages and non-quality. Secondly, the upper binding points between the rows of stitches enable these rows to be tightened. As a result, knit with sufficiently dense zones can be knitted efficiently, safely and repeatably.

To strengthen the binding between the two rows of stitches, for the first selection of needles, the knitting of a tuck stitch is preferably performed every other stitch, within the first row of stitches. This is of course in the dense zone. This preferred method enables the rows of stitches to be tightened to a satisfactory level of density.

Alternatively, for the first selection of needles, the knitting of a tuck stitch may be performed one stitch in three or one stitch in four or one stitch in five, within the first row of stitches.

The difference in density between dense and non-dense zones formed on a basic jersey knit is substantial. The ratio between the density of a dense zone formed on a wefted knit and that of a non-dense zone formed on a wefted knit is supposedly to be around 20%. Similarly, the ratio between the density of a dense zone formed on a non-wefted knit and that of a non-dense zone formed on a non-wefted knit is supposedly to be around 20%.

The size of the dense zone depends on the number of rows and columns knitted by using this method.

Advantageously, the method can also include knitting a weft yarn between each row of stitches. This appearance will be described in greater detail below.

Two different stitching layouts are proposed to meet the demands of the two possible uses of these dense zones. These two stitching layouts differ in the need for and placement of a weft yarn.

In the first of the two preferred uses, the dense zones are used to increase the opaqueness of the knit at specific points and thus create shapes for aesthetic purposes. The dense zones are produced in such a way that they create uniform geometric shapes (the geometric shapes are identical or similar) evenly dispersed over the surface of the knit, with the total surface area of the dense zones being less than 10% of the total surface area of the knit, and preferably less than or equal to 5% of the total surface area of the knit. It is possible, for example, to obtain a plumetis effect directly in knitting, without the need to embroider the geometric shapes on the knit.

In this first, aesthetic use, the method may also involve knitting a weft yarn between the rows of stitches. This weft yarn makes it possible to impart additional properties to the knit, such as improved stability, greater elastic strength, or a different feel or visual appearance. In particular, the addition of a weft yarn makes it possible to control the elasticity of a textile item, especially a compression and/or support item, by imparting greater elastic strength.

According to standard ISO 8388, basic knitting on a circular knitting machine is defined as knitting on all needles known as “plain jersey knitting” without weft. According to the same standard, point 3.1.30, in the case of a wefted jersey-based knit, one or more weft yarns are inserted into the knit, in rows known as “load-float”. The concept of a “weft yarn” and the way it is inserted into a knit are therefore per se known to those skilled in the art.

The space between the row of stitches where the weft yarn is inserted is called the “weft row”.

For this first use, in the case where the knit includes a weft yarn, the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating a float that corresponds to the needle that knitted a stitch on the first row of stitches. As a result, the weft yarn lies between the first row of stitches and the second row of stitches, and also between the second row of stitches and the first row of stitches. The weft yarn is picked only every other needle. This creates a columnar alignment between the stitch in the first row of stitches and the float in the weft row. The floats of the weft yarn are staggered (i.e., on opposite needles, or offset) in relation to the next weft row. In other words, the floats are offset relative to each other, from one row of weft to the next, such that at each row of weft, loads and floats alternated along the same column. The result is a uniform, smooth appearance, with no ribbing.

According to one embodiment of this first use, the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating two or three or four consecutive floats corresponding to the needles that have knitted a stitch on the first row of stitches. The weft yarn is picked only every third needle, every fourth needle or every fifth needle, respectively. The weft yarn floats are staggered in relation to the next weft row, such that the floats are offset from each other from one weft row to the next. This results in multi-column floats that are offset to each other from one weft row to the next, without overlapping.

The invention also relates to a knit provided with at least one dense zone according to the aforementioned technical characteristics.

The invention also relates to a textile item comprising at least one knit provided with at least one dense zone according to the aforementioned technical characteristics.

According to one embodiment, the article(s) produced may be either stockings, tights or socks.

Preferably, it is a compression and/or support article, in which case, it is intended for medical use.

In the second preferred use, the dense zones are used to reinforce the knit to make it more resistant to wear. To protect the textile item from wear and tear where it is most engaged, the dense zone(s) is preferably created on a surface of the item in contact with the heel and/or a surface of the item in contact with the toes and/or a lower surface of an individual's foot when the item is worn by an individual.

In this second intended use, the knit necessarily comprises a weft yarn.

The weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating a float that corresponds to the needle that knitted a load on the first row of stitches. As a result, the weft yarn lies between the first row of stitches and the second row of stitches, and also between the second row of stitches and the first row of stitches. The weft yarn is picked only every other needle. This creates a columnar alignment between the load in the first row of stitches and the float in the weft row. The weft yarn floats are created in the same columns from one weft row to the next. In other words, the floats are created in the same columns, in each weft row, such that the floats are aligned. This alignment results in a ribbed appearance and a knit with improved strength.

According to one embodiment of this second use, the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating two or three or four consecutive floats corresponding to the needles that have knitted a load on the first row of stitches. The weft yarn is picked only every third needle, every fourth needle or every fifth needle, respectively. The weft yarn floats are created in the same columns from one weft row to the next, such that the floats are aligned with each other.

The invention also relates to a knit provided with at least one dense zone according to the aforementioned technical characteristics.

The invention also relates to a textile item comprising at least one knit provided with at least one dense zone according to the aforementioned technical characteristics.

According to one embodiment, the article(s) produced may be either stockings, tights or socks.

According to one embodiment, the textile item comprises at least one knit provided with at least one dense zone according to the second use described previously, wherein the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches. Said item is stockings, tights or socks, and the dense zone or zones are located on a surface of the item in contact with the heel and/or a surface of the item in contact with the toes and/or a surface in contact with the lower surface of the foot of an individual when the item is worn by an individual.

The textile item is necessarily a compression and/or support item, for example, for medical purposes, because the constituent knit of the item comprises a weft yarn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial view of a circular knitting machine.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the machine in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a combination of needles that may be selected when using the method according to this invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a combination of needles that may be selected when using during the method according to this invention to form dense zones used to increase the opaqueness of the knit at specific locations and thus create shapes for aesthetic purposes.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the repetition of the geometric shapes created by the aesthetic dense zones on a knit according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a repetition of circular dense zones created by the aesthetic dense zones on a knit according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a repetition of triangular-shaped dense zones created by the aesthetic dense zones on a knit on another knit according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a combination of needles that may be selected when using the method according to this invention to form dense zones used to reinforce the knit to make it more wear-resistant.

FIG. 9 is a microscopic image of a knit outside the dense zones.

FIG. 10A is a microscopic image of the external face of a knit within a dense zone used to reinforce the knit.

FIG. 10B is a microscopic image of the internal face of a knit within a dense zone used to reinforce the knit.

FIG. 11 is a partial view of the shape of the dense zone used to reinforce the knit in an item of footwear.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an item of footwear according to the invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of another item of footwear according to the invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the front view of the stitch pattern of the knit shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the reverse view of the stitch pattern of the knit shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a circular knitting method, a circular knit (1), and a textile item (3) incorporating such a circular knit (1). A combination of needle selections used is shown in FIG. 3: it comprises knitting an alternation of a first row of jersey stitches (M1) and a second row of jersey stitches (M2).

The rows of stitches (M1, M2) are knitted using any suitable yarn. In the case of footwear, the stitch-forming yarn (5) may particularly be a single-gimped or double-gimped yarn, for example, comprising an elastane core yarn and polyamide coating yarns.

In a preferred embodiment, the core yarn is a elastane yarn with a titre of 22 dtex, double-gimped polyamide coating yarns with a titre of 22 dtex comprising 20 filaments, and with false twist. I must be remembered that 1 dtex=10⁻⁷ kg/m. In this embodiment, the two coating yarns are preferably reversed in their false-twist directions.

The reinforcing yarn (6) may be of any suitable type. A preferred reinforcement yarn (6) is a 13-filament, false-twisted polyamide yarn with a titre of 44 dtex.

As can be seen from the diagrams in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8 that show needles that may be selected:

• • the positions (m) are those where the machine needles ascend to knit only the stitch-forming yarn (5), and produce jersey stitches;
  • the positions (r) are those where the needles ascend fully to knit the stitch-forming yarn (5) and the reinforcement yarn (6);
  • the positions (c) are those in which the needles ascend half-way to pick the stitch-forming yarn and produce tuck stitches, to form upper binding points with the sinker loops of the next row of stitches.

In this way, the stitch-forming yarn (5) and the reinforcement yarn (6) inserted in the second row of stitches (M2) are knitted by the needles of the tuck stitches of the first row of stitches (M1). The rows (M1, M2) are thus brought closer together.

In the needle selection diagram in FIG. 3, every other stitch in the first row of stitches (M1) in the dense zone (2) is a tuck stitch (c) to tighten the rows of stitches to a satisfactory density level.

In the first aesthetic use, the dense zones (2) obtained by the invention have a greater thickness than the rest of the knit (1). By judiciously choosing the dimensions and distribution of these dense zones (2) on the knit (1), it is possible to obtain textures or appearances that are usually obtained by additional manufacturing steps. For example, a plumetis is traditionally obtained by embroidering a yarn on a textile item, so as to obtain small dots in relief.

This first use is shown by the stitch diagram in FIG. 4. This stitch diagram shows that the dense zones (2) are only 5 stitches wide and 12 rows high.

In terms of plumetis, the raised dots are small. Depending on the desired effect and to highlight the relief of the dense zones (2), the total surface area of the dense zones (2) is less than 20% of the total surface area of the knit (1), or even less than 10%, and preferably less than or equal to 5%.

FIG. 5 shows the repetition of geometric shapes wherein the dense zones (2) of FIG. 4 are arranged in a regular pattern on the knit (1). As shown, this may be a rectangular matrix of variable height or width, or successive staggered rows. The knit (1) obtained with such a repetition of geometric shapes has a plumetis effect, at the output from the knitting machine. The advantage is therefore economic, since an additional manufacturing step can be omitted.

It is specified that it is understood by those skilled in the art that the dense zones created by means of the needle selection shown in FIG. 5 require, in practice, the creation of a specific design representing the ratio and shape of the desired pattern. This design is converted according to the computer extension recognised by the single-cylinder knitting machine used, and associated with its knitting program to obtain the desired pattern shape repeat(s). The ratio of the predetermined design makes it possible to repeat the pattern evenly over both the circumference and the desired length of the product according to the desired design (as shown in FIG. 6).

With reference to the same FIG. 6, the “uniform” appearance of the geometric shapes translates into an identical visual effect for each of the dense zones, insofar as the latter are obtained from the same needle selections. The “regular” dispersion of said dense zones translates into an identical distance between each dense zone and the neighbouring dense zones, insofar as the same pattern is repeated on the knit thanks to the computer software.

The geometric shape of the dense zone (2) to be repeated to obtain the plumetis effect may be adapted depending on aesthetic requirements. The dense zone may be circular, oval, rectangular or any other desired shape.

The even distribution of the dense zones (2) on the knit (1) may include, for example, symmetries or rotations. FIGS. 6 and 7 show two examples of plumetis effects obtained:

• • FIG. 6 shows the repetition of dense circular zones, as found on traditional plumetis;
  • FIG. 7 shows the repetition of dense, triangular-shaped zones, wherein the geometric shapes are rotated alternately 180° along a row.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the needle selection combination may also include a row (T), wherein a weft yarn (7) is knitted. In this embodiment, there is a succession: the first row of stitches (M1), a weft row (T), the second row of stitches (M2) and then a weft row (T).

The weft yarn (7) is used to impart special properties to the knit (1), and may be of any type suitable for this purpose. In particular, the addition of a weft yarn makes it possible to control the elasticity of a textile item, especially a compression and/or support item, by imparting greater elastic strength. This may be a single-coated or double-coated yarn, for example, with an elastane core yarn and polyamide coating yarns.

In a preferred embodiment, the core yarn is an elastane yarn with a titre of 310 dtex, double-twisted with polyamide coating yarns with a titre of 22 dtex, comprising 20 filaments, and with false twist. In this embodiment, the two coating yarns are preferably reversed in their false-twist directions.

In the needle selection diagram shown in FIG. 4, the positions (i) are those where the needles are inactive, i.e., the weft yarn (7) is not picked by the needles and creates a float on the knit (1).

By using this diagram, the reinforcement yarn (6) of the second row of stitches (M2) is picked at positions (c) with the stitch-forming yarn (5) of the next row of stitches (M1).

In this way, it is possible to obtain a functionalised knit (1), for example, in a compression and/or support item having superior elastic strength, further comprising dense zones (2) that are significantly denser than the rest of the knit (1) and which have a satisfactory aesthetic appearance when worn, i.e., there are no stripes or striations despite the fact that the reinforcing yarn (6) is inserted only every other row of stitches.

The space between the row of stitches (M1, M2) where the weft yarn is inserted is called the “weft row” (T).

For this first aesthetic use, in the case where the knit includes a weft yarn, the weft yarn (T) is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating a float (i) that corresponds to the needle that knitted a stitch (m) on the first row of stitches (M1). As a result, the weft yarn lies between the first row of stitches (M1) and the second row of stitches (M2), and also between the second row of stitches (M2) and the first row of stitches (M1). The weft yarn (7) is only picked every other needle. This creates a columnar alignment between the stitch (m) in the first row of stitches (M1) and the float (i) in the weft row (T). The floats of the weft yarn (i) are staggered (i.e., on opposite needles, or offset) in relation to the next weft row. In other words, the floats (i) are offset relative to each other, from one row of weft (T) to the next, such that at each row of weft (T) loads (c) alternate with floats (i) in the same column. The result is a uniform, smooth appearance, with no ribbing.

The textile item (3) may be a compression and/or support article, for example for medical purposes. In this case, the knit of item (1) preferably comprises a weft yarn (7).

The textile item (3) may also be stockings, socks or tights, i.e., for non-medical use. In this case, the knit generally comprises no weft yarn (7). In the second preferred use, dense zones are used to reinforce the knit. Improved strength is particularly advantageous in regions of the knit subjected to high mechanical stress when the item is worn, such as the sole of a sock.

This second use is shown by the stitch diagram in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a partial view of the shape of the dense zone of the knit (1) intended for the manufacture of a textile item (3) as shown in FIG. 12. A large, dense zone (2) is provided over the entire surface area coming into contact with the heel, arch and toes of an individual intended to wear the item. The textile item (3) shown is, but is not limited to, socks. It may be socks, stockings or tights, for example. The large, dense zone (2) shown thus reinforces the textile item (3) where it is most subject to wear, in this case, during walking.

FIG. 13 shows another textile item (3) comprising a knit (1) and two dense zones (2) reinforcing said knit (1) at sensitive regions, provided on surfaces intended to come into contact with the heel and toes of an individual's foot.

In this second intended use, the knit necessarily comprises a weft yarn.

As described previously, the weft yarn (7) is used to impart special properties to the knit (1), and may be of any type suitable for this purpose. In particular, the addition of a weft yarn makes it possible to control the elasticity of a textile item, especially a compression and/or support item, by imparting greater elastic strength. This may be a single-coated or double-coated yarn, for example, with an elastane core yarn and polyamide coating yarns.

In a preferred embodiment, the core yarn is an elastane yarn with a titre of 310 dtex, double-twisted polyamide coating yarns with a titre of 22 dtex, comprising 20 filaments, and with false twist. In this embodiment, the two coating yarns are preferably reversed in their false-twist directions.

The weft yarn (T) is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating a float (i) that corresponds to the needle that knitted a load (c) on the first row of stitches (M1). As a result, the weft yarn lies between the first row of stitches (M1) and the second row of stitches, (M2) and also between the second row of stitches (M2) and the first row of stitches (M1). The weft yarn is picked (T) only every other needle. This thus creates a columnar alignment between the load (c) of the first row of stitches (M1) and the float (i) of the weft row (T). The weft yarn floats (i) are created in the same columns on each weft row (T). In other words, the floats are created in the same columns, on each weft row (T), such that their alignment results in a ribbed appearance and further strengthens the knit.

FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B are microscopic views of the knit (1) according to the needle selections shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is an external image of a dense zone (2), and FIGS. 10A and 10B are images of the inside a dense zone used to reinforce the knit (2).

FIG. 9 shows the knit (1) comprising only jersey stitches produced by the stitch-forming yarn (5), and the weft yarn (7) producing a float between two stitches, the latter being picked only every other stroke. In this case, the knit (1) is relatively fine and smooth.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show the knit, which also comprises the reinforcing yarn (6), and the arrangement of the various row of stitches (M1, M2) and weft rows (T), which imparts the dense zone (2) with the desired reinforcement and opacity.

FIGS. 10A and 10B also show that the weft yarn (7) is located on the inside of the knit (1), while the reinforcement yarn (6) is located on the outside of the knit (1), thus improving the wear resistance of the knit (1). On the other hand, the dense zone (2) is more resistant, and is in relief.

This specific knitting technique, based on the needle selections of rows M1, M2 and T as described previously, allows the added, plated yarn from the off-cuts of the second row of stitches (M2) to stand out on the outside of the finished textile article, thus improving strength.

This advantage is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the front view of the knit shown in FIG. 8, i.e., from the outside and therefore visible when the knit is worn.

In this figure, it can be seen that the majority of the reinforcement yarn can be knitted with the stitch-forming yarn of the second row of stitches (M2). The reinforcing yarn therefore stands out visually on this side of the knit. This is due, as previously described, to the selection of stitch-type and load-type needles in the first row of stitches (M1), in combination with the placement of the weft yarn (7) inside the sinker loops of the second row of stitches (M2).

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the reverse side of the knit shown in FIG. 8, i.e., the inner side facing the wearer when the knit is worn.

In this figure, most of the stitch-forming yarn from the first row of stitches (M1) and the weft yarn (7) are visible. The stitch-forming yarn of the first row of stitches (M1) and the weft yarn (7) therefore stand out visually on this side of the knit.

Thus, the selection of particular needles for the weft yarn and the selective placement of loads every other needle on the stitch-forming yarn of the first row of stitches (M1), allow the reinforcing yarn knitted in plating M2 to stand out on the outside of the knit to provide greater strength.

The textile item is necessarily a compression and/or support item, for example, for medical purposes, because the constituent knit (1) of the item comprises a weft yarn (7).

The textile item (3) produced in this way is reinforced in the zones most subject to wear and tear. The textile item (3) according to the invention therefore has a longer service life, without compromising its manufacturing cost, because the knitting method according to the invention does not impact production rates or reject rates, unlike methods of the prior art.

Both when knitting dense zones for aesthetic purposes and when knitting dense zones to reinforce the knit, clearly, those skilled in the art may adapt the number and shape of the dense zones (2) according to the type of knit and item they wish to produce.

In a variant not shown in connection with the two intended uses of dense zones, the combination of needle selections may involve another alternation of stitch rows and weft rows. For example, the rhythm may be:

• • first row of stitches (M1), second row of stitches (M2), weft row (T), and so on;
  • first row of stitches (M1), weft row (T), second row of stitches (M2), and so on;
  • or any other functional combination chosen by those skilled in the art, while respecting the alternation in each row of stitches, of a first row of jersey stitches (M1) and a second row of jersey stitches (M2).

The yarns used may be adapted to the intended use of the knit (1). Their counts, compositions and material(s) may therefore be different.

Furthermore, the technical characteristics of the various embodiments and variants mentioned above can be combined in their entirety or only in part. Thus, the method and the knit may be adapted depending on the desired cost, functions and performance.

Claims

1. A method for circular knitting by using a knitting machine, wherein the knit is formed from a plurality of rows of stitches knitted with a stitch-forming yarn, and comprises at least one dense zone, wherein the dense zone or zones are produced by knitting alternately, on each row of stitches, of a first row of jersey stitches and a second row of jersey stitches, such as: the first row of jersey stitches is knitted on a first selection of needles, and includes at least one tuck stitch within the row of jersey stitches, so as to form binding points with the sinker loops of the second row of stitches,the second row of jersey stitches is knitted with a second selection of needles and includes knitting with a reinforcing yarn in addition to the stitch-forming yarn.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, for the first selection of needles, the knitting of a tuck stitch is performed every other stitch, within the first row of stitches.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, for the first selection of needles, the knitting of a tuck stitch is performed one stitch in three or one stitch in four or one stitch in five, within the first row of stitches.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the knitting of a weft yarn between each row of stitches.

5. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the knitting of a weft yarn between each row of stitches, wherein the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating a float which corresponds to the needle which has knitted a stitch on the first row of stitches, the weft yarn being picked only every other needle, and wherein the floats of the weft yarn are staggered relative to the next weft row, such that the floats are offset relative to each other from one weft row to the next.

6. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the knitting of a weft yarn between each row of stitches, wherein the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating two or three or four consecutive floats which correspond to the needles which have knitted a stitch on the first row of stitches, the weft yarn being picked only every third needle or every fourth needle or every fifth needle respectively, and wherein the floats of the weft yarn are staggered relative to the next weft row, such that the floats are offset relative to each other from one weft row to the next.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dense zones, creating uniform geometric shapes evenly dispersed over the surface of the knit and whose total surface area of the dense zones is less than 10% of the total surface area of the knit, and preferably less than or equal to 5% of the total surface area of the knit.

8. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the knitting of a weft yarn between each row of stitches, wherein the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating a float which corresponds to the needle which has knitted a load on the first row of stitches, the weft yarn being picked only every other needle, and wherein the floats of the weft yarn are produced in the same columns from one weft row to the next, such that the floats are aligned with each other.

9. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the knitting of a weft yarn between each row of stitches, wherein the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating two or three or four consecutive floats which correspond to the needles which have knitted a load on the first row of stitches, the weft yarn being picked only every third needle or every fourth needle or every fifth needle respectively, and wherein the floats of the weft yarn are produced in the same columns from one weft row to the next, such that the floats are aligned with each other.

10. A circular knit formed from a plurality of rows of stitches knitted with a stitch-forming yarn, and comprising at least one dense zone, wherein the dense zone or zones alternate at each row of stitches, of a first row of jersey stitches and a second row of jersey stitches, such as: the first row of jersey stitches is knitted on a first selection of needles, and includes at least one tuck stitch within the row of jersey stitches, so as to form binding points with the sinker loops of the second row of jersey stitches,the second row of jersey stitches knitted with a second selection of needles and includes knitting with a reinforcing yarn in addition to the stitch-forming yarn.

11. The knit according to claim 10, wherein the tuck stitch is knitted every other stitch, within the first row of stitches.

12. The knit according to claim 10, wherein, for the first selection of needles, the knitting of a tuck stitch is performed one stitch in three or one stitch in four or one stitch in five, within the first row of stitches.

13. The knit according to claim 10, further comprising a weft yarn knitted between each row of stitches.

14. The knit according to claim 11, further comprising a weft yarn knitted between each row of stitches, wherein the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating a float in the column where a stitch has been knitted on the first row of stitches, the weft yarn being picked only every other column, and wherein the floats of the weft yarn are staggered from one weft row to the next, such that the floats are offset relative to each other from one weft row to the next.

15. The knit according to claim 12, further comprising a weft yarn knitted between each row of stitches, wherein the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating two or three or four consecutive floats in the columns where a load has been knitted on the first row of stitches, the weft yarn being picked only every third or every fourth or every fifth column respectively, and wherein the floats of the weft yarn are staggered from one weft row to the next, such that the floats are offset relative to each other from one weft row to the next.

16. The knit according to claim 10, wherein the dense zones create uniform geometric shapes evenly dispersed over the surface of the knit and whose total surface area of the dense zones is less than 10% of the total surface area of the knit, and preferably less than or equal to 5% of the total surface area of the knit.

17. The knit according to claim 11, further comprising a weft yarn knitted between each row of stitches, wherein the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating a float in the column where a load has been knitted on the first row of stitches, the weft yarn being picked only every other column, and wherein the floats of the weft yarn are produced in the same columns from one weft row to the next, such that the floats are aligned with each other.

18. The knit according to claim 12, further comprising a weft yarn knitted between each row of stitches, wherein the weft yarn is inserted between each row of stitches, by creating two or three or four consecutive floats in the columns where a load has been knitted on the first row of stitches, the weft yarn being picked only every third or every fourth or every fifth column respectively, and wherein the floats of the weft yarn are produced in the same column from one weft row to the next, such that the floats are aligned with each other.

19. The textile item comprising at least one knit provided with at least one dense zone according to claim 10.

20. The textile item according to claim 19, said item being stockings, tights or socks.

21. The textile item comprising at least one knit provided with at least one dense zone according to claim 13, said item being stockings, tights or socks, wherein the dense zone or zones are located on a surface of the item in contact with the heel and/or a surface of the item in contact with the toes and/or a surface in contact with the lower surface of the foot of an individual when the item is worn by an individual.

22. The textile item according to claim 19, characterised in that it is a compression and/or support item.