Knitting method, knitting program, storage medium, and knitted fabric

Abstract

This invention provides a knitting method for fabrics that allows for the finishing of yarn ends to be made less noticeable after binding off stitches using a flat knitting machine. [Solution] The method for knitting a fabric using a flat knitting machine comprises the following steps A to G. Step A: Using a first yarn feeder, a portion of the end row of stitches is bound off in the first direction. Step B: The remaining rows of stitches not bound off in step A are distributed to the first and second needle beds. Step C: Using a second yarn feeder, an insertion section is formed that crosses the remaining rows of stitches. Step D: By binding off the remaining rows of stitches, a yarn end storage section is formed that houses the insertion section. Step E: The final stitch of the bound-off process is intertwined with the second yarn. Step F: Using a cutter, the first yarn is cut. Step G: Using a configuration provided in the flat knitting machine, the second yarn is pulled in the second direction, thereby drawing the yarn end into the yarn end storage section.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , , , ,

[0005] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for knitting a knitted fabric that performs a hemming process on the terminal stitch row in the wale direction of the knitted fabric, a knitted fabric knitted by the method for knitting the knitted fabric, a knitting program for causing a flat knitting machine to execute the method for knitting the knitted fabric, and a storage medium storing the knitting program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for knitting a first knitted fabric portion constituting a part of a knitted fabric using a flat knitting machine and then fixing the knitting yarn extending from the yarn feeder used for knitting the first knitted fabric portion to the knitted fabric. Patent Document 1 further discloses a technique for cutting the knitting yarn extending from the yarn feeder after fixing the knitting yarn by a cutter provided in the flat knitting machine.

[0003] The cutter provided in the flat knitting machine can also be used to cut the knitting yarn supplied from the yarn feeder used for the hemming process after performing the hemming process on the terminal stitch row in the wale direction of the knitted fabric. Here, the hemming process is a known knitting technique for preventing the terminal stitch row from fraying. In the hemming process, a plurality of adjacent stitches are overlapped, and new stitches are continuously knitted in the wale direction of the overlap. As a result, the stitches constituting the terminal stitch row come off the needle bed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When the yarn is cut after binding off the last row of stitches, a loose thread is generated extending from the last stitch of the binding process to the cut end. This loose thread is particularly noticeable at the end of the knitted fabric in the wale direction. Traditionally, this loose thread was concealed by manually weaving it into the stitches that make up the fabric. However, this manual process is cumbersome and reduces the productivity of the knitted fabric.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, one object of the present invention is to provide a method for knitting a fabric in which the ends of the yarn can be treated in a way that makes them inconspicuous after binding off stitches using a flat knitting machine. Another object of the present invention is to provide a knitting program for causing a flat knitting machine to execute the above method for knitting a fabric, and a storage medium storing the knitting program. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a knitted fabric knitted by the above method for knitting a fabric. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] <1> The present invention relates to a method for knitting a fabric, which involves binding off stitches at the end of the knitted stitch row using a flat knitting machine equipped with a first needle bed, a second needle bed facing the first needle bed, a first yarn feeder that supplies a first knitting yarn, a second yarn feeder that supplies a second knitting yarn different from the first knitting yarn, and a cutter that cuts the first knitting yarn. The present invention relates to a method for knitting a fabric, which involves the following steps A to G, when one of the directions along the first needle bed and the second needle bed is designated as the first direction, and the direction opposite to the first direction is designated as the second direction. Step A involves using the first yarn feeder to bind off a portion of the end stitch row in the first direction. Step B, following step A, involves distributing the remaining rows of stitches, consisting of multiple first stitches that were not bound off, to the first needle bed and the second needle bed. Step C involves forming an anchor stitch using the second yarn feeder at a position on the second direction side of the remaining stitch row, and then forming an insertion portion that extends from the anchor stitch toward the first direction, crosses the remaining stitch row, and reaches a position on the first direction side of the remaining stitch row. Step D, in which the remaining rows of stitches are bound off in the first direction using the first yarn feeder, thereby forming a yarn end storage section that houses the insertion section. Step E involves intertwining the final stitch of the binding process performed in step D with the second knitting yarn. Step F involves using the cutter to cut the first yarn between the first yarn feeder and the final stitch. A step G is performed using the configuration provided in the flat knitting machine, in which the portion of the second knitting yarn that is on the second direction side of the insertion portion is pulled in the second direction, thereby drawing the end yarn from the last stitch to the cut end into the end yarn storage section.

[0008] <2> the above <1> In step C of the knitting method for knitted fabric described above, the insertion portion in which a plurality of the second stitches are connected in a string-like manner may be formed by repeatedly knitting a second stitch on the first direction side of the anchor stitch and moving the second stitch toward the first direction.

[0009] <3> the above <2> In step E of the knitting method for the knitted fabric described above, the final stitch and the second stitch constituting the insertion portion may be overlapped to intertwine the final stitch and the second yarn.

[0010] <4> the above <1> from <3> In step G of the knitting method for knitted fabric described in any of the above, the insertion portion may be pulled in the second direction by moving the anchor stitch in the second direction using the racking mechanism provided in the flat knitting machine.

[0011] <5> The knitting program of the present invention is a knitting program readable by a computer that controls a flat knitting machine comprising a first needle bed, a second needle bed facing the first needle bed, a first yarn feeder that supplies a first knitting yarn, a second yarn feeder that supplies a second knitting yarn different from the first knitting yarn, and a cutter that cuts the first knitting yarn. The knitting program of the present invention is as described above. <1> from <4> The knitting method for the fabric described in any of the above is to be executed on the flat knitting machine.

[0012] <6> The storage medium of the present invention is the above <5> This is a storage medium that stores the program described in [the document].

[0013] <7> The knitted fabric of the present invention is a knitted fabric having a bound-off section formed by binding off the end row of stitches. The knitted fabric of the present invention comprises a yarn end from the last stitch, which is the last stitch of the bound-off section, to the cut end, and a yarn end storage section in which the yarn end is stored. The yarn end storage section is a part of the stitches of the end row of stitches and includes a plurality of first stitches that sandwich the yarn end in the thickness direction of the knitted fabric. The yarn end is folded back in a U-shape inside the yarn end storage section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the knitting method of the present invention, a yarn end storage section is formed by a portion of the end stitch row, and then the yarn end is pulled into the yarn end storage section by a configuration provided in the flat knitting machine. Therefore, manual processing of the yarn end is not required, or the effort required for manual processing of the yarn end can be reduced.

[0015] the above <2> According to the knitting method of this fabric, an insertion section in which multiple second stitches are connected in a cord-like manner is arranged inside the end yarn storage section. Because such an insertion section has excellent elasticity, when the insertion section is pulled in process G, the second stitches that make up the insertion section are less likely to break. Therefore, the end yarn is easily pulled inside the end yarn storage section.

[0016] the above <3> According to this knitting method, the final stitch and the second yarn can be intertwined relatively firmly. Therefore, when the insertion part is pulled in process G, the end yarn does not easily come out of the insertion part, and the end yarn is easily drawn into the end yarn storage part.

[0017] the above <4> According to the knitting method, it can be carried out using a general-purpose flat knitting machine without any special mechanisms. The racking mechanism is implemented in most flat knitting machines.

[0018] According to the knitting program of the present invention, the knitting method of the knitted fabric of the present invention can be implemented on a flat knitting machine. The computer that executes the knitting program may be provided in the flat knitting machine, or may be connected to the flat knitting machine via wired or wireless means.

[0019] According to the storage medium storing the knitting program of the present invention, the knitting method of the knitted fabric of the present invention can be implemented on a flat knitting machine. The storage medium may be provided in the flat knitting machine when the knitting program is executed, or may be connected to the flat knitting machine via wired or wireless means. The storage medium may be a portable storage medium such as a USB memory.

[0020] In the knitted fabric of the present invention, since the end yarn is arranged inside the end yarn storage portion, the end yarn is not conspicuous even at the end portion in the wale direction of the knitted fabric where the end yarn is likely to be conspicuous. It is difficult and unrealistic to manually fold the end yarn into a U shape and knit it into the end knitting stitch row.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a flat knitting machine for knitting the knitted fabric according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an image diagram for explaining a part of the process included in the knitting method of the knitted fabric according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an image diagram for explaining a part of the process of the knitting method of the knitted fabric following FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an image diagram for explaining a part of the process of the knitting method of the knitted fabric following FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a simple loop diagram for explaining the state of the knitting stitches at the time of process F in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a simple loop diagram for explaining the state of the end yarn in the knitted fabric according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an image diagram for explaining a part of the process included in the knitting method of the knitted fabric according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 8]Figure 8 is an illustrative diagram illustrating part of the process of knitting the fabric, following Figure 7. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] The knitting method, knitting program, and storage medium according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0023] <Embodiment 1> ≪Knitted fabric≫ The knitted fabric 5 of Embodiment 1 is a sweater shown in Figure 2. The sweater has a body, a right sleeve 5R, and a left sleeve 5L. The body is composed of a front body 5F and a back body 5B that are connected in a tubular shape. This sweater is knitted using a flat knitting machine. In this example, the knitting method of the present invention is used when binding off stitches at the collar of the sweater. Here, the knitted fabric produced by the knitting method of the present invention is not limited to a sweater, but may also be knitwear such as pants or skirts, or industrial materials such as seat covers. The knitted fabric 5 is not limited to a tubular knitted fabric, but may also be a single-layer knitted fabric.

[0024] ≪Flat knitting machine≫ Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a flat knitting machine 7 for knitting a fabric 5. The flat knitting machine 7 is a two-bed flat knitting machine equipped with a pair of needle beds 7B arranged facing each other in the depth direction of the paper. Each of the pair of needle beds 7B is also called the front needle bed (FB) and the rear needle bed (BB). In this example, BB is the first needle bed and FB is the second needle bed. The flat knitting machine 7 is equipped with a racking mechanism 75 that shifts the relative positions of the first needle bed and the second needle bed in a direction along the length of the first and second needle beds. Known configurations can be used for the racking mechanism 75. The flat knitting machine 7 for knitting a fabric 5 may also be a four-bed flat knitting machine equipped with a lower front needle bed, a lower rear needle bed, an upper front needle bed, and an upper rear needle bed.

[0025] The needle bed 7B has multiple knitting needles arranged in parallel, and these needles are driven by a cam system mounted on a carriage 7C that reciprocates over the needle bed 7B. The cam system includes a transfer cam, which is a stitch transfer mechanism 76 that moves stitches between the first needle bed and the second needle bed. The knitting needles may be latch needles with latches for opening and closing hooks, or compound needles with sliders for opening and closing hooks. The flat knitting machine 7 further includes multiple yarn feeders 7F that supply yarn 7Y to teeth formed between a pair of needle beds 7B. Each yarn feeder 7F is mounted on one of a plurality of rails 7R and travels along the rails 7R. The plurality of rails 7R extend above the needle beds 7B and parallel to the needle beds 7B. The yarn 7Y is supplied to the yarn feeders 7F from a tension spring device 7T through a side tension device (not shown).

[0026] The knitting machine 7 in this example is further equipped with a cutter 7S. The cutter 7S is configured to move independently of the yarn feeder 7F in a direction along the length of the needle bed 7B. In this example, the cutter 7S is mounted on one of several rails 7R and travels along the rails 7R.

[0027] The knitting machine 7 is equipped with a computer 70 that controls the knitting machine 7. Controlling the knitting machine 7 includes controlling the movement of the carriage 7C, the operation of the cam system mounted on the carriage 7C, and the movement of the yarn feeder 7F.

[0028] The computer 70 comprises a processor 71 and a storage medium 72. The processor 71 is one of various types of processors suitable for controlling the computer 70. Examples of processors 71 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0029] The storage medium 72 stores a knitting program that causes the flat knitting machine 7 to knit the fabric 5. The knitting program in this example includes commands that cause the flat knitting machine 7 to execute the fabric knitting method described later. The processor 71 described above causes the flat knitting machine 7 to perform the knitting operation by executing the commands in the knitting program.

[0030] Unlike this example, the computer that controls the knitting machine 7 based on the knitting program in this example may be another computer connected to the knitting machine 7 via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet.

[0031] ≪Knitting Method≫ The specific procedure for knitting the fabric using the above-mentioned flat knitting machine 7 will be explained based on the conceptual diagrams in Figures 2 to 4 and the simplified loop diagrams in Figures 5 and 6. In Figures 2 to 4, FB and BB are shown by thick dashed lines.

[0032] Figure 2 shows the end row of stitches 1 of the knitted fabric 5 secured to FB and BB. The end row of stitches 1 in this knitted fabric 5 corresponds to the wale-direction end of the collar. In this example, first, the end row of stitches 1 on the front body 5F side is bound off in the direction of the leftward arrow, and then the end row of stitches 1 on the back body 5B side is bound off in the direction of the rightward arrow. For binding off, the first yarn feeder 8, which supplies the first knitting yarn 8Y, is used from among the multiple yarn feeders 7F (Figure 1). The first yarn feeder 8 is the same yarn feeder used for knitting the collar. In other words, the end row of stitches 1 is knitted with the first knitting yarn 8Y. The first yarn feeder 8 may be a different yarn feeder from the one used for knitting the collar.

[0033] In this example, when binding off the end stitch row 1 on the back panel 5B side, only a portion of the end stitch row 1 is bound off (equivalent to process A). In other words, the binding off process for the end stitch row 1 is stopped midway, and the remaining unbound stitch row 10 of the end stitch row 1 is locked to BB. The short vertical lines in Figure 2 indicate the boundary between the bound-off stitch row and the remaining unbound stitch row 10. In the following explanation referring to Figures 3 and 4, the direction in which the binding off process in process A progresses along FB and BB is referred to as the first direction D1, and the direction opposite to the first direction D1 is referred to as the second direction D2.

[0034] Step S0 in Figure 3 shows the remaining stitch row 10, consisting of multiple first stitches 19 that were not bound off in Figure 2, being secured to the BB. The first stitches 19 are the stitches that make up the end stitch row 1. The number of stitches in the first stitches 19 that make up the remaining stitch row 10 is 2 or more. The remaining stitch row 10 is intended to make the end yarn 45 (Figure 4) less noticeable, as will be described later. Depending on the gauges of the FB and BB, the number of stitches in the remaining stitch row 10 is, for example, 4 to 10.

[0035] In step S1, the multiple first stitches 19 that make up the remaining stitch row 10 are distributed between FB and BB (equivalent to step B). In this example, the multiple first stitches 19 arranged in the width direction are distributed alternately, one stitch at a time, between FB and BB. The distribution of the multiple first stitches 19 is not limited to the distribution in this example. If the distribution in this example is a 1x1 distribution, the distribution could be, for example, 1x2, 2x1, or 2x2.

[0036] In step S2, the second yarn feeder 9 is used to form an anchor stitch 2 at a position on the second direction D2 side of the remaining stitch row 10. Then, an insertion portion 20 is formed extending from the anchor stitch 2 toward the first direction D1, crossing the remaining stitch row 10 and reaching a position on the first direction D1 side of the remaining stitch row 10 (equivalent to step C). The anchor stitch 2 may be a yarn over or a knit stitch that continues in the wale direction of the yarn over. In this example, the anchor stitch 2 is formed as BB, but it may also be formed as FB.

[0037] In this example, a second stitch 21 is formed using a knitting needle that is on the first direction D1 side of the anchor stitch 2 and not engaged with the first stitch 19, and the knitted second stitch 21 is moved toward the first direction D1. This process is repeated to form an insertion section 20 in which multiple second stitches 21 are connected in a string-like manner. An empty needle is used to move the second stitches 21. The anchor stitch 2 and the second stitch 21 at the left end of the drawing are connected in the knitting width direction. Multiple second stitches 21 are continuous in the wale direction. The last second stitch 21 of the insertion section 20 is engaged with FB. The last second stitch 21 may also be engaged with BB. Of the multiple second stitches 21, all but the last knitted second stitch 21 are not engaged with FB or BB.

[0038] The insertion section 20, in which multiple second stitches 21 are connected in a string-like manner, has excellent elasticity. Therefore, even if the insertion section 20 is pulled in the process G described later, the second knitting yarn 9Y that constitutes the insertion section 20 is less likely to break. Here, in this example, the insertion section 20 has multiple second stitches 21 connected in the wale direction, but the number of stitches in the knitting width direction is one. Unlike this example, the number of stitches in the knitting width direction of the insertion section 20 may be multiple. An insertion section 20 with multiple stitches in the knitting width direction has high strength, is easy to knit, and has excellent elasticity. Also, when there are multiple stitches in the knitting width direction, the second knitting yarn 9Y is less likely to break when moving the second stitches 21 from the anchor stitch 2 toward the first direction D1.

[0039] In step S3 of Figure 4, the remaining row of stitches 10 is bound off in the first direction D1 using the first yarn feeder 8, thereby forming a yarn end storage section 11 that houses the insertion section 20 (corresponding to step D). In the process diagrams from step S3 onward, the yarn end storage section 11 and the insertion section 20 are simplified and represented as a cylindrical and linear shape, respectively. Since the bound-off stitches are removed from the needle bed, at the end of step S3, only the final bound-off stitch 40 remains attached to the needle bed.

[0040] In step S3, a yarn over 49 is further formed on the FB's empty needle using the first yarn feeder 8. This yarn over 49 is formed to facilitate the cutting of the first knitting yarn 8Y supplied from the first yarn feeder 8 in step F, which will be described later. The yarn over 49 may also be formed on the BB.

[0041] In step S4, the final stitch 40 of the binding process performed in step D and the second yarn 9Y are intertwined (equivalent to step E). In this example, the final stitch 40 and the second stitch 21 are overlapped, and a new second stitch 22 is knitted in the wale direction of the overlap, thereby intertwining the final stitch 40 and the second yarn 9Y. In this case, the final stitch 40 and the second yarn 9Y are intertwined relatively strongly.

[0042] In step S4, multiple new second stitches 22 connected in the wale direction may be knitted. The more new second stitches 22 connected in the wale direction there are, the lower the overlap including the final stitch 40 will be knitted below FB and BB, and the less the movement of the knitting needle will be restricted.

[0043] In step S4, the first knitting yarn 8Y is further cut between the first yarn feeder 8 and the final stitch 40 using a cutter 7S provided on the flat knitting machine 7 (Figure 1) (equivalent to step F). In step S4, the second stitch 22 is removed from the knitting needle after the first knitting yarn 8Y has been cut. The cutter 7S cuts the portion of the first knitting yarn 8Y that is on the side of the yarn over 49 formed in step S4 that is on the first yarn feeder 8 side. Because the yarn over 49 pulls the first knitting yarn 8Y extending from the first yarn feeder 8 straight, the first knitting yarn 8Y can be easily cut. This cut forms the end yarn 45 extending from the final stitch 40 to the cut end 41.

[0044] Figure 5 shows the state of the stitches at the end of step S4. In Figure 5, the connections of the stitches are shown in a simplified manner. In Figure 5, regarding the front-to-back relationship of the stitches, only the front-to-back relationship between the insertion section 20 and the end yarn storage section 11 is illustrated. As shown in Figure 5, the end yarn storage section 11 is formed when the upper end of the remaining stitch row 10, which is part of the terminal stitch row 1, is closed by the bind-off section 4. The insertion section 20 is inserted through the inside of this end yarn storage section 11. Specifically, the multiple first stitches 19 that make up the end yarn storage section 11 sandwich the insertion section 20 in the thickness direction of the knitted fabric 5. In other words, the insertion section 20 is positioned to sew the end yarn storage section 11, which is composed of multiple first stitches 19, back and forth. To put it another way, the insertion section 20 is positioned in the end yarn storage section 11 by repeatedly passing in front of at least one first stitch 19 and passing behind at least one first stitch 19.

[0045] After step S4 in Figure 4, the second stitch 22 may be gradually moved toward the first direction D1. This movement of the second stitch 22 causes the end thread 45 to be pulled out from the final stitch 40, forming a knot. In this process, the second thread 9Y is less likely to break by repeatedly knitting a new second stitch 22 and moving that new second stitch 22 toward the first direction D1. The mechanism for forming the knot is described in detail in paragraph 0012 of Japanese Patent No. 5991858, referring to Figure 3.

[0046] In step S5, using the configuration provided in the flat knitting machine 7, the portion of the second knitting yarn 9Y that is on the second direction D2 side of the insertion section 20 is pulled in the second direction D2, thereby drawing the end yarn 45 from the final stitch 40 to the cut end 41 into the end yarn storage section 11 (equivalent to step G). In this example, the second knitting yarn 9Y is pulled with the second stitch 22 removed from the FB in step S4. If multiple second stitches 22 connected in the wale direction are being knitted in step S4, the second knitting yarn 9Y may be pulled without removing the second stitches 22 from the FB.

[0047] In this example, the second knitting thread 9Y is pulled in the second direction D2 by the racking mechanism 75 (Figure 1) which racks BB in the second direction D2. In addition to racking, stitch transfer may also be performed to pull the second knitting thread 9Y in the second direction D2. When pulling the second knitting thread 9Y in the second direction D2 while the second stitch 22 is locked to FB, the anchor stitch 2 may be gradually moved in the second direction D2 by repeating the following steps: [1] racking BB in the second direction D2, [2] moving the anchor stitch 2 to FB using the stitch transfer mechanism 76 (Figure 1), and [3] returning the racking pitch to the reference position and then moving the anchor stitch 2 to BB. In that case, the insertion part 20 can be gradually pulled in the second direction D2, making it less likely for the second knitting thread 9Y to break.

[0048] Unlike this example, the step G of pulling the second yarn 9Y in the second direction D2 may be performed by a gripper that grasps the second yarn 9Y. The gripper is configured to move in a direction along the lengths of FB and BB. Therefore, by moving the gripper in the second direction D2 while grasping the second yarn 9Y, the end yarn 45 can be pulled into the end yarn storage section 11. Known grippers, such as the gripper described in International Publication 2009 / 084193, can be used.

[0049] As the insertion part 20 moves in the second direction D2, the overlap, including the final stitch 40, is also pulled into the end yarn storage part 11. At this time, the end yarn 45 extending from the final stitch 40 is pulled by the overlap and folded back in a U-shape, and pulled into the end yarn storage part 11 together with the overlap. Once the end yarn 45 has been pulled into the end yarn storage part 11, the insertion part 20 is removed from the end yarn storage part 11. The removal of the insertion part 20 may be performed by the flat knitting machine 7 or by a person manually. If performed by the flat knitting machine 7, for example, a gripper may pull the portion of the second yarn 9Y that is on the first direction D1 side of the end yarn storage part 11 toward the first direction D1. If performed by a person, the portion of the second yarn 9Y that is on the first direction D1 side of the end yarn storage part 11 may be grasped and pulled toward the first direction D1. By pulling the second knitting yarn 9Y in the first direction D1, the second stitch 22 constituting the insertion section 20 unravels, and the end yarn 45 is removed from the insertion section 20. Here, if the second knitting yarn 9Y is a water-soluble knitting yarn, it is not necessary to pull out the second knitting yarn 9Y to remove it. In this case, washing the knitted fabric 5 dissolves the second knitting yarn, and the second knitting yarn 9Y is removed from the end yarn storage section 11.

[0050] Figure 6 is a simplified loop diagram of the knitted fabric 5 after the insertion section 20 has been pulled out from the end yarn storage section 11. The interpretation of Figure 6 is the same as that of Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6, the knitted fabric 5 in this example includes a bind-off section 4 formed by the binding-off process of the end stitch row 1. The knitted fabric 5 also includes an end yarn 45 extending from the final stitch 40, which is the last stitch of the bind-off section 4, to the cut end 41, and an end yarn storage section 11 in which the end yarn 45 is stored. As explained in the knitting process described above, the end yarn storage section 11 is a part of the stitches of the end stitch row 1 and includes a plurality of first stitches 19 that sandwich the end yarn 45 in the thickness direction of the knitted fabric 5. The end yarn 45 is pulled into the end yarn storage section 11 in a U-shaped folded state and removed from the second knitting yarn 9Y, so it remains in a U-shaped folded state inside the end yarn storage section 11. Because the end yarn 45 is folded back in a U-shape, even if the length of the end yarn 45 is long, the entire end yarn 45 is easily placed inside the end yarn storage section 11 and is less noticeable in the knitted fabric 5. Achieving this state by hand is very time-consuming, so the knitting method of the fabric in this example can improve the productivity of the knitted fabric 5. In addition, the U-shaped folded end yarn 45 has greater friction against the end yarn storage section 11 compared to an unfolded straight end yarn, making it less likely to come out of the end yarn storage section 11.

[0051] Unlike this example, after the end thread 45 is pulled into the end thread storage section 11, the insertion section 20 may be continued to be pulled in the second direction D2. If the insertion section 20 is continued to be pulled in the second direction D2, the first knitting thread 8Y is cut, and the end thread 45 comes out of the insertion section 20 inside the end thread storage section 11. In this case, the end thread 45 positioned inside the end thread storage section 11 will be in a straight line.

[0052] <Embodiment 2> Embodiment 2 describes a method of knitting a fabric that differs from Embodiment 1 in how the final stitch 40 of the binding process and the second knitting yarn 9Y are intertwined, based on Figures 7 and 8. The way to read Figures 7 and 8 is the same as in Figures 3 and 4.

[0053] Step S10 in Figure 7 shows the state after step A of the knitting method of the present invention has been completed, that is, the state in which the remaining stitch row 10 is locked to BB.

[0054] In step S11, the multiple first stitches 19 that make up the remaining stitch row 10 are distributed to FB and BB (equivalent to step B). In this example, two first stitches 19 at the end of the remaining stitch row 10 in the first direction D1 are moved to FB, and the remaining first stitches 19 are arranged in a 1x1 configuration. In step S12, the second yarn feeder 9 is used to form anchor stitches 2 at a position on the second direction D2 side of the remaining stitch row 10, and then locking stitches 23 are knitted at a position on the first direction D1 side of the remaining stitch row 10 (equivalent to step C). As a result of step S12, an insertion part 20 connecting the anchor stitches 2 and the locking stitches 23 crosses the remaining stitch row 10. This insertion part 20 simply spans the anchor stitches 2 and the locking stitches 23.

[0055] In step S13, the first stitch 19, which is closest to the first direction D1, is moved from FB to BB. As a result, the second yarn 9Y gets caught on the back side of the first stitch 19 that has moved to BB. In step S13, the second yarn feeder 9 is further moved to the second direction D2, and a new anchor stitch 2 is knitted that continues in the wale direction of the anchor stitch 2 (equivalent to step C). As a result, the two insertion parts 20 cross the remaining stitch row 10.

[0056] In step S14, the remaining stitch row 10 is bound off using the first yarn feeder 8 to form the end yarn storage section 11 (equivalent to step D). The final bound stitch 40 is secured to the BB. In step S14, the first yarn feeder 8 is further used to form a yarn over 49 and to release the secured stitch 23 from the FB. When the secured stitch 23 is released from the FB, the second yarn 9Y, which was caught on the first stitch 19 in step S13 of Figure 7, shifts to the position of the final stitch 40 that continues in the wale direction of the first stitch 19, and becomes entangled with the final stitch 40 (equivalent to step E).

[0057] In step S15, the first knitting yarn 8Y is cut at a position closer to the first yarn feeder 8 than the yarn over 49 (equivalent to step F). In the following step S16, the insertion section 20 is pulled in the second direction D2 by moving the anchor stitch 2 toward the second direction D2 (equivalent to step G). As the insertion section 20 is pulled in the second direction D2, the final stitch 40 is pulled into the end yarn storage section 11, and the end yarn 45 extending from the final stitch 40 is also pulled into the end yarn storage section 11. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1 End stitch row 10 remaining stitch row, 11 end yarn storage section, 19 first stitch 2 Anchor stitch, 20 Insertion part, 21, 22 Second stitch, 23 Locking stitch 4 stitch binding area, 40 final stitch, 41 cut end, 45 end yarn, 49 yarn over 5 knitted fabric 5B Back panel, 5F Front panel, 5L Left sleeve, 5R Right sleeve 7 Flat knitting machine 7B Needle bed, 7C Carriage, 7F Yarn feeder 7R rail, 7S cutter, 7T top spring device, 7Y knitting yarn 70 Computer, 71 Processor, 72 Storage media 75. Racking mechanism, 76. Eye transfer mechanism 8 First Yarn Feeder, 8Y First Knitting Yarn 9 Second yarn feeder, 9Y second knitting yarn D1 first direction, D2 second direction

Claims

1. A method for knitting a fabric, comprising a flat knitting machine equipped with a first needle bed, a second needle bed facing the first needle bed, a first yarn feeder for supplying a first knitting yarn, a second yarn feeder for supplying a second knitting yarn different from the first knitting yarn, and a cutter for cutting the first knitting yarn, wherein the final row of stitches of the knitted fabric is bound off. When one of the directions along the first needle bed and the second needle bed is defined as the first direction, and the direction opposite to the first direction is defined as the second direction, Step A involves using the first yarn feeder to bind off a portion of the end stitch row in the first direction, After step A, step B is performed to distribute the remaining rows of stitches, consisting of multiple first stitches that were not bound off, to the first needle bed and the second needle bed. Step C involves using the second yarn feeder to form an anchor stitch at a position on the second direction side of the remaining stitch row, and then forming an insertion portion that extends from the anchor stitch toward the first direction, crosses the remaining stitch row, and reaches a position on the first direction side of the remaining stitch row. Step D involves using the first yarn feeder to bind off the remaining rows of stitches in the first direction, thereby forming a yarn end storage section that houses the insertion section. Step E involves intertwining the final stitch of the binding process performed in step D with the second yarn, Step F involves using the cutter to cut the first yarn between the first yarn feeder and the final stitch, The process includes a step G in which, using the configuration provided in the flat knitting machine, the portion of the second knitting yarn on the second direction side of the insertion portion is pulled in the second direction, thereby drawing the end yarn from the last stitch to the cut end into the end yarn storage section. Methods for knitting fabrics.

2. The method for knitting a knitted fabric according to claim 1, wherein in step C, the steps of knitting a second stitch on the first direction side of the anchor stitch and moving the second stitch toward the first direction are repeated to form the insertion portion in which a plurality of the second stitches are connected in a string-like manner.

3. The method for knitting a knitted fabric according to claim 2, wherein in step E, the final stitch and the second stitch constituting the insertion portion are overlapped to intertwine the final stitch and the second yarn.

4. A method for knitting a knitted fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in step G, the anchor stitch is moved toward the second direction using a racking mechanism provided in the flat knitting machine, thereby pulling the insertion portion toward the second direction.

5. In a knitting program readable by a computer controlling a flat knitting machine comprising a first needle bed, a second needle bed facing the first needle bed, a first yarn feeder that supplies a first knitting yarn, a second yarn feeder that supplies a second knitting yarn different from the first knitting yarn, and a cutter that cuts the first knitting yarn, A knitting program that causes a flat knitting machine to execute the knitting method of a knitted fabric described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A storage medium storing the programming program described in claim 5.

7. In a knitted fabric having a bound-off section formed by binding off the end row of stitches, The end yarn from the last stitch of the aforementioned binding process to the cut end, The system comprises a thread end storage section in which the aforementioned thread ends are stored, The end yarn storage section is a part of the end stitch row and includes a plurality of first stitches that sandwich the end yarn in the thickness direction of the knitted fabric. The aforementioned end thread is folded back in a U-shape inside the end thread storage section. Knitted fabric.

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