There are currently at least six forms of textile production. They include weaving, knitting, and braiding. Felting, bonding, and spread tow are other types. Hundreds of separate materials are used through these various crafts. They are categorized into four main groups; animal textiles, plant textiles, mineral textiles, and synthetic textiles.
Textile production is the process of interweaving fibers to form a more complex pattern or object. Its origins can be traced back to prehistoric times within many ancient civilizations. It has been a popular way to create new accessories, clothing, and tools ever since.
Weaving is a textile manufacturing method that interlaces long strands of cloth in both vertical and horizontal patterns. A device known as a loom is usually incorporated for this type of application, and hundreds of different patterns are possible when using this type of machinery. Woven items encompass everything from bed sheets to bulletproof armor, with thousands of creations in between. Spread tow is similar to weaving—small, lightweight components are made into a tape and then woven together with similar pieces.
Knitting is traditionally a textile production that is completed by hand with a needle or a crochet hook, but industries also incorporate large knitting machines as well. Crocheting is another type of textile manufacturing that would fall under this category. Many types of clothing are produced from knitting and they are made from a variety of materials.
Braiding is a separate form of textile production that takes two similar fabrics and twists them into knots by using a predefined pattern. A braided material normally has a much greater overall strength if it is correctly made, which is why numerous types of rope are created this way. Knotting is a similar process that would reside within the same category of textile manufacturing, even though the shapes created using this method are often not uniform.
Felting is a type of textile production that varies greatly from the other processes found within this list because nothing is being physically interlaced together. Instead, various components are forced together under large amounts of pressure and twisted so that they become entangled. These fibers are normally treated with some type of lubricant, like a detergent, to prevent them from tearing or breaking during the process. Bonding is a term that applies almost exclusively to synthetic materials like nylon or polyester, and it is a type of textile production that connects these components by means of heat, pressure, or adhesive.