Measuring and fuzzy predicting total handle from selected mechanical properties of double weft-knitted fabrics

The mechanical and handle properties of three groups of double weft-knitted fabrics are measured using the KES-FB system. The double-jersey fabrics co nsist of double weft-knitted structures (knit, tuck, and welt stitches), an d are further divided according to density and then fully relaxed. For hand measurements, seven principal physical and mechanical properties are selec ted (EMT, RT, RC, B, 2HG, W, MIU), which are related to four possible ways of deformation in double weft-knitted fabrics. The importance of their char acteristics is deduced from a survey of a panel of thirty judges. Primary h and and total hand values from the ICES-FB are analyzed and compared with o ur alternative simplified fuzzy total hand test result. The results from th e new method for double weft-knitted fabrics provide experts with meaningfu l values in comparison with Kawabata's total hand values.