Shrinkage prediction of plain‐knitted fabric based on deformable curve

Purpose The aim of this paper is to develop a new method to predict the potential shrinkage of plain‐knitted fabric. Design/methodology/approach The presented method is based on deformable curve. The delivered plain‐knitted fabric is represented as a deformable parametric curve, and the relaxed fabric can be reached by minimizing the energy of the curve. Compared to the delivered‐knitted fabric, the length and width shrinkage percentages can be calculated accordingly. Findings The new method is more convenient than the traditional trial and error method, and need less‐input parameters than the STARFISH technique. Experimental results show that this method is feasible. Originality/value This paper presents a new method for shrinkage prediction of plain‐knitted fabric based on deformable curve and energy minimum. The work can be linked with shrinkage control in textile industry.