The most common type of knit is jersey, which is what most basic T-shirts are made of. Jersey fabric is made with a single needle that works approximately like knitting needles, putting together knit and purls in rows.

Jersey knit fabrics can be 100% cotton or blended with other fibers such as polyester or rayon.  100% cotton jersey is commonly used in t-shirt type of applications as it has a sturdy hand and wear with a minimal stretch.  Cotton jersey blend knit fabrics with polyester or rayon are very popular knits as they provide a more fluid drape and added stretch, making them suitable for a wider range of uses like tops, dresses, and more!

Characteristics of jersey:

• It doesn't have a lot of stretch factor.

• It usually doesn't recover very well after being stretched (unless it has spandex in it).

• Right and wrong sides are different: Vertical knit ribs are shown on the right side, while you can see horizontal purls on the wrong side (see picture above).

• When pulled, its edges tend to curl toward the right side (perpendicular to the grainline) and to the wrong side (along the selvedges).

• It usually hangs quite well from your body, depending on weight and fiber content.