French Terry
A knit with a smooth face and soft looped back — the mid-weight fabric of sweatshirts and joggers.
Also known as: Terry knit, Loop-back terry
beginner
French terry is a weft knit with a flat, smooth face and unbrushed loops on the reverse. It is soft, absorbent and mid-weight, the standard for sweatshirts, hoodies and joggers.
What it is
French terry is a weft-knit fabric built with an extra loop yarn that forms unbrushed piles (loops) on the back while the face stays smooth and flat. The looped reverse traps air and absorbs moisture, making the cloth soft, breathable and warmer than plain jersey without the bulk of fleece. Weight commonly runs 220–380 GSM. It is usually cotton or cotton-poly, often with a little elastane for recovery.
Because the loops are left uncut and unbrushed (unlike brushed fleece), French terry is lighter and more breathable than sweatshirt fleece, which suits spring/autumn sweatshirts, hoodies, joggers and loungewear. It has moderate stretch and good recovery, drapes well, and its clean face takes print and embroidery. Ring-spun yarns give a softer, more durable terry than open-end yarns.
Worked example
A mid-weight crew sweatshirt is often knit from 280–320 GSM cotton French terry; adding 2–5% elastane keeps cuffs and hems from stretching out.
How to apply it
Use French terry for transitional-season sweatshirts, hoodies and joggers where you want warmth and softness but more breathability and less weight than brushed fleece.
Related entries
Related
Sources & further reading
- Knitting Technology — David J. Spencer (book)