double-knit
C1Specialized, historical, fashion/ textile.
Definition
Meaning
A type of fabric knitted with two sets of needles, producing a thicker, more stable, and often reversible textile.
A garment, typically a cardigan, jacket, or suit, made from double-knit fabric, popular in the mid-20th century for its structured, wrinkle-resistant quality.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun referring to the fabric or a garment made from it. Can be used attributively (e.g., 'a double-knit suit'). The term evokes a specific era (1970s) and style.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical. The term is equally specialized in both variants.
Connotations
In both regions, carries connotations of 1970s fashion, sometimes viewed as dated or retro-chic.
Frequency
Very low frequency in modern general use, primarily found in historical, fashion, or textile contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] made of double-knit[verb] a double-knit [garment]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in textile manufacturing or vintage retail.
Academic
Used in fashion history, textile engineering, or material culture studies.
Everyday
Virtually absent in contemporary conversation unless discussing vintage clothing.
Technical
Precise term in knitting and fabric production.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This machine is designed to double-knit fine wool.
- The technique allows them to double-knit the fabric for extra durability.
American English
- Industrial looms can double-knit polyester blends efficiently.
- Few hand-knitters have the skill to double-knit a seamless tube.
adverb
British English
- The fabric was constructed double-knit for stability.
- It's a double-knit woven blend, not a single jersey.
American English
- The scarf was made double-knit to be reversible.
- They produced the material double-knit to prevent runs.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This sweater is very thick. It is double-knit.
- My grandfather had a brown double-knit suit from the 1970s.
- Double-knit fabrics are less likely to stretch out of shape than single knits, making them ideal for structured jackets.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DOUBLE the needles, DOUBLE the thickness – a DOUBLE-KNIT fabric is stable and doesn't sag.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRUCTURE IS STABILITY (The two-layer construction metaphorically provides reliability and shape).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating literally as 'двойная вязка' in all contexts; for garments, 'костюм из плотного трикотажа' or 'двойной трикотаж' is better.
- The term is highly specific, not a general word for 'thick knitwear' like 'свитер'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'double-knit' as a verb (e.g., 'She double-knits the scarf'). It is almost exclusively a noun/adjective.
- Confusing it with 'double-stitch' or 'cable-knit', which are different techniques.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a double-knit fabric?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but primarily in specific textile contexts or when describing vintage/reproduction garments. It's not a common term in everyday modern fashion retail.
Technically yes in textile manufacturing ('to double-knit'), but it is exceedingly rare in general language. The noun/adjective uses are standard.
Double-knit refers to the fabric structure (two interlocked layers). Cable knit is a decorative stitch pattern created by crossing stitches over each other, which can be done on a single or double-knit fabric.
Because it was a dominant fabric for men's and women's tailored casualwear (especially suits) during the 1970s, an era with a very distinct aesthetic. Its peak popularity was time-specific.