{"id":506,"date":"2026-10-09T09:37:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T01:37:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.zoomhaitisport.com\/blog\/?p=506"},"modified":"2026-10-09T09:37:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T01:37:13","slug":"what-are-the-differences-between-single-jersey-and-double-jersey-knitted-fabric-4b12-9277bf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.zoomhaitisport.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/09\/what-are-the-differences-between-single-jersey-and-double-jersey-knitted-fabric-4b12-9277bf\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the differences between single – jersey and double – jersey knitted fabric?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey there, if you\u2019ve ever dug into knit fabrics for anything from tees to hoodies to activewear, you\u2019ve probably heard the terms single-jersey and double-jersey thrown around a lot. As someone who\u2019s been in the knitted fabric game for over a decade, I can\u2019t tell you how many times I\u2019ve gotten a call from a small boutique owner or a new brand owner asking, \u201cWait, what\u2019s the actual difference between these two\u2014because one feels way too thin and the other is way too bulky for what I need?\u201d It\u2019s such a common question, and honestly, it makes sense\u2014most people just see \u201cknit fabric\u201d and assume it\u2019s all the same, but trust me, there\u2019s a huge gap between single and double jersey that totally changes what you can do with it. Let\u2019s break this down like we\u2019re chatting over coffee (no stuffy industry jargon, promise). Knitted Fabric<\/a><\/p>\n

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First off, let\u2019s start with the super basics: what even is<\/em> the difference in how they\u2019re made? That\u2019s where it all starts, right? Single-jersey (sometimes called jersey fabric, though people sometimes shorten it to just \u201csingle\u201d) is made on a single circular knitting machine that only has one set of needles on one side of the machine. Think of it like a chain of stitches that only goes in one direction. You know how when you pull a thread on a regular tee, a hole runs straight across? That\u2019s a dead giveaway for single-jersey. It\u2019s a single layer of stitches, so it\u2019s lightweight, stretchy in one direction (usually lengthwise), and has that familiar \u201cface\u201d side that\u2019s smooth and right-side out, and a \u201cback\u201d side that\u2019s a little loopy, sometimes called a pique or terry if it\u2019s a little thicker.<\/p>\n

Double-jersey, on the other hand, is built on two sets of needles\u2014one on the front and one on the back of the circular knitting machine. So it\u2019s like two layers of stitches interlocked together, not just stacked. That\u2019s why it\u2019s called double\u2014because it\u2019s two separate needle beds working in tandem. No wonder it\u2019s totally different in feel and function. I\u2019ve had customers come in thinking double-jersey is just a thicker single, but nope\u2014it\u2019s not doubled thickness, it\u2019s doubled structure. That interlock is key here.<\/p>\n

Now let\u2019s talk about the feel and weight, because that\u2019s the first thing people notice when they touch fabric. Single-jersey is light, stretchy, and breathable. It\u2019s the fabric your basic cotton tee is made of\u2014soft, flows well, perfect for hot weather, layering under a jacket, or anything where you want comfort without bulk. But here\u2019s the catch: it\u2019s not super stable. If you stretch it side to side, it doesn\u2019t bounce back well, and it can curl at the edges if you cut it, right? Ever cut a tee shirt that\u2019s started curling up at the neck or the hem? That\u2019s single-jersey for you. It\u2019s a fun, casual fabric, but it\u2019s not ideal for things that need to hold their shape.<\/p>\n

Double-jersey is the opposite in so many ways. It\u2019s heavier, sturdier, doesn\u2019t curl at all because both sides are the same structure. Wait, did you know that? Double-jersey is reversible! That\u2019s a huge perk. The face and back sides look almost identical, so if you want a garment where both sides look good without turning it inside out, that\u2019s your go-to. It\u2019s less stretchy than single-jersey, more stable, holds its shape way better over time. I once had a customer making loungewear sets who swears by double-jersey for the waistband of their joggers because it doesn\u2019t stretch out like single-jersey elastic would. But because it\u2019s denser, it\u2019s not as breathable as single. For people who live in super hot climates, double-jersey might feel a little too heavy for a summer tee, but it\u2019s perfect for fall sweaters, blazers, or structured tops where you need that crisp look.<\/p>\n

Next up, uses\u2014this is where most people pick which one they need, so let\u2019s get specific. Single-jersey is everywhere in fast fashion basics, athleisure tees, baby clothes (it\u2019s gentle on sensitive skin), dresses, and even linings sometimes. It\u2019s cheap to make, lightweight, and flexible, so it works for quick turns and mass production. I work with a lot of small DTC brands that launch graphic tees all the time, and 9 times out of 10, they order single-jersey because it\u2019s soft, prints well, and moves with the body. But it\u2019s not for everything. If you\u2019re making a structured button-down shirt that needs to keep its shape, or a blazer, or a tailored dress that doesn\u2019t sag, double-jersey is way better. I had a wedding dress designer reach out to me last year because she was tired of her custom gowns bodices sagging after a few wears\u2014single-jersey just couldn\u2019t hold the structure, so switching to double-jersey fixed that. It\u2019s also great for loungewear, activewear that needs compression, uniforms, and even upholstery if you want a stretchy, durable fabric that\u2019s not too heavy.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s care and durability, which is a big one for customers. Single-jersey is easy to wash, doesn\u2019t shrink too much (as long as you pre-wash it properly), but it does pill more than double-jersey because the looser back side can snag. Over time, single-jersey tees can get stretchy and saggy at the hem, which is why you\u2019ll see people hoarding their old \u201cperfect\u201d tees\u2014they\u2019ve been stretched out from years of washing. Double-jersey is more resistant to pilling, holds its shape way longer, doesn\u2019t sag as easily, and is more resistant to wrinkling. I\u2019ve had customers tell me their double-jersey blazers look crisp even after a week of travel, while their single-jersey tees are rumpled by midday. That\u2019s not to say single is low quality\u2014 it\u2019s just designed for a different use case. If you need something cheap, easy, and disposable for fast fashion, single is great. If you want something that lasts, double is worth the extra few cents per yard.<\/p>\n

Wait, let\u2019s also talk about stretch and recovery, because that\u2019s a technical thing that trips a lot of people up. Single-jersey has what\u2019s called \u201cweft stretch\u201d\u2014it stretches along the length of the yarn, which is why tees stretch when you put them on. But because it\u2019s only one layer, the recovery (how well it bounces back) is not great. Double-jersey has stretch too, but it\u2019s more \u201ccontrolled stretch\u201d because it\u2019s two layers interlocked. It stretches evenly in both directions, not just one, and bounces back way better. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so popular for activewear\u2014 it moves with your body but doesn\u2019t bag after a workout. I once tested a pair of double-jersey leggings vs. single-jersey leggings for a customer, and the single ones were stretched out after one use, while the double ones looked almost new after 10 washes.<\/p>\n

Also, let\u2019s clear up a common myth: people think double-jersey is always made of polyester or a blend, and single is only cotton. Nope! You can make single or double-jersey out of cotton, polyester, spandex, modal, whatever fiber you want. For example, a modal single-jersey is super soft, even stretchier than cotton, while a polyester double-jersey is durable and wrinkle-resistant for uniforms. It\u2019s not the fiber that defines it, it\u2019s the knitting structure. That\u2019s a big mistake new customers make\u2014they come in asking for \u201ccotton double-jersey\u201d like it\u2019s a different thing, but no, you can make both with any fiber.<\/p>\n

As a supplier, I see a lot of customers make the wrong choice at first because they don\u2019t understand these differences. Last month, a small brand owner ordered 500 yards of single-jersey for their structured work blazers, and halfway through production, they realized it sagged too much. We had to rush them double-jersey at the last minute, which cost them extra fees and delayed their launch. That\u2019s the kind of avoidable mistake that comes from not knowing the basic differences between these two fabrics. So my advice to anyone out there launching a new line is: think about what the garment needs to do. If it\u2019s lightweight, breathable, for summer or casual wear, single is your guy. If it\u2019s structured, needs to hold shape, reversible, or for cooler weather, double is the way to go.<\/p>\n

Another thing people ask me: what about cost? Single-jersey is usually cheaper per yard than double-jersey, right? Because it\u2019s made on simpler, faster machines that produce more yards per hour. Double-jersey requires more precise machines, takes longer to make, so it\u2019s a bit more expensive. But as I always tell customers, you get what you pay for. If you\u2019re making a high-end line that needs to last, spending a little extra on double-jersey is worth it for the quality. For a fast-fashion line that turns over every season, single is more cost-effective for your bottom line.<\/p>\n

Wait, let\u2019s also mention the texture and drape, because that\u2019s super important for design. Single-jersey has a soft, fluid drape\u2014 it hangs loosely, flows over the body, which is why it\u2019s great for dresses and tees that have a relaxed fit. Double-jersey has a stiffer drape\u2014 it holds its form, which is perfect for structured pieces like collared shirts, blazers, and tailored tops that need a sharp silhouette. I\u2019ve even had a costume designer order double-jersey for a superhero cape because it stands up straight and doesn\u2019t flop around like a single-jersey cape would. That\u2019s a perfect example of how structure changes the use case.<\/p>\n

Is there any overlap? Sure, sometimes you\u2019ll see brands use a blend, but even then, the core structure is still either single or double. Some activewear uses a rib-knit, which is a type of double-jersey, for waistbands and cuffs, because it has that controlled stretch. But the main two are still single and double, and the differences are pretty stark once you get past the basics.<\/p>\n

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At the end of the day, whether you\u2019re a seasoned designer or just starting out, knowing the difference between single and double-jersey is crucial to getting the right fabric for your project. You don\u2019t want to waste money on a fabric that doesn\u2019t hold up, or end up with a garment that doesn\u2019t fit the vision you had. As someone who\u2019s been in this game for years, I\u2019m here to help you navigate all that\u2014whether you\u2019re ordering 50 yards for a sample line or 50,000 yards for a big production run, I can walk you through what\u2019s best for your needs, no confusing jargon, no pressure. If you\u2019re tired of guessing which fabric is right for your next project, hit me up to chat through the details, and we can figure out the perfect solution for your line.<\/p>\n

Plain Knitted Fabric<\/a> References
\nTextile Institute. (2019). Knitting Technology: A Complete Handbook. Woodhead Publishing.
\nClark, M. (2021). Textiles and Fashion: Design, Innovation, and Production. Bloomsbury Visual Arts.
\nTortora, P. G., & Merkel, R. S. (2018). Fairchild’s Textile Simplified (11th ed.). Bloomsbury Fashion Books.<\/p>\n

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Zhejiang Hongxiang Textile Technology Co., Ltd.<\/a>
Zhejiang Hongxiang Textile Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional knitted fabric manufacturers and suppliers in China. With abundant experience, we warmly welcome you to wholesale custom made knitted fabric from our factory. If you have any enquiry about cooperation, please feel free to email us.
Address: No. 8, 12th Road, Warp Weaving Park, Maqiao Street, Haining City, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province
E-mail: gd@hongxiang888.cn
WebSite: https:\/\/www.h-xiang.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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