Overview
EN ISO 23606:2009 - Textiles - Knitted fabrics - Representation and pattern design (ISO 23606:2009) is a harmonized European and international standard (published March 2009) that specifies systems of symbolic notation and pattern‑design conventions for knitted fabrics. The standard covers both weft‑knitted and warp‑knitted constructions and defines how loop structures, yarn paths and pattern drafts are represented graphically and symbolically. It clarifies that the notations provided are standardized options and do not necessarily constitute the only possible method of representation.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions
- Terms and definitions for knitted fabrics, including weft‑knitted and warp‑knitted fabric types.
- Representation methods
- Two main styles: graphic pattern draft (pictorial) and technical pattern draft (symbolic).
- Technical pattern drafts are read from bottom to top to reflect the manufacturing process.
- Pattern draft types
- Construction pattern draft (structure-focused)
- Working pattern draft (manufacture/process-focused)
- Pattern draft grids
- Square grids and special grids for rib/interlock structures.
- Dot‑matrix and transposed dot‑matrix grids for yarn‑path representations.
- Symbol set
- Standardized symbols for loop structure elements: stitch, tuck, float, inlays (weft/warp), transfer stitches, plated and pile loops, long stitches, rib and interlock elements.
- Auxiliary signs and notation rules
- Rules for indicating racking, needle position (working/idle), repeats, course/wale orientation, abbreviated versus full representations.
- Minimum requirement: pattern draft must contain at least one repeat in height and width and mark the repeat.
- Practical drafting rules
- Use of two‑dimensional and yarn path representations either separately or combined.
- Placement rules for auxiliary signs (e.g., course signs on the right, wale signs below the draft).
Applications and users
EN ISO 23606:2009 is intended for professionals involved in knitted fabric design, specification and production, including:
- Textile and knitwear designers creating repeatable pattern drafts and technical documentation
- Technical textile engineers and technologists specifying loop structures and machine settings
- CAD/CAM developers for knitting pattern software and pattern‑design tools
- Production planners and machine operators who interpret working pattern drafts
- Quality assurance, procurement and standards teams requiring unambiguous fabric descriptions
Keywords: ISO 23606, EN ISO 23606, knitted fabrics representation, pattern design, knitted fabric notation, weft‑knitted, warp‑knitted, pattern draft grids, yarn path representation.
Related standards
- ISO/TC 38 publications and other ISO textile standards (referenced within the document) govern terminology and machine classification used alongside ISO 23606.
