A method for manufacturing a knitted fabric embodying a basic knit, into which at least one functional yarn filament, such as an electrically conductive yarn filament, is incorporated as a vertical yarn filament (F3). The basic knit is formed from a first and a second yarn (F1, F2) using a plaiting technique. The vertical yarn filament (F3) is incorporated by a third yarn carrier (FF3) positioned, on a third yarn carrier rail located between respective yarn carrier rails for the first and the second yarn carriers (FF1, FF2), at a location at which the vertical yarn filament (F3) is to be incorporated. During formation of a sequence of stitch rows (MR1-MR7) using the first and second yarns (F1, F2), the first yarn (F1) is guided over the vertical yarn filament (F3) on a front side of the knitted fabric and the second yarn (F2) is guided over the vertical yarn filament (F3) on a back side of the knitted fabric.

A method for manufacturing a knitted fabric embodying a basic knit, into which at least one functional yarn filament, such as an electrically conductive yarn filament, is incorporated as a vertical yarn filament (F3). The basic knit is formed from a first and a second yarn (F1, F2) using a plaiting technique. The vertical yarn filament (F3) is incorporated by a third yarn carrier (FF3) positioned, on a third yarn carrier rail located between respective yarn carrier rails for the first and the second yarn carriers (FF1, FF2), at a location at which the vertical yarn filament (F3) is to be incorporated. During formation of a sequence of stitch rows (MR1-MR7) using the first and second yarns (F1, F2), the first yarn (F1) is guided over the vertical yarn filament (F3) on a front side of the knitted fabric and the second yarn (F2) is guided over the vertical yarn filament (F3) on a back side of the knitted fabric.

The invention provides a method for knitting and forming a weft-knitted fabric with varying thickness by a flat knitting machine and a weft-knitted fabric thereof. The method is implemented in at least one knitting process of the weft-knitted fabric, comprising steps of: driving the flat knitting machine to knit a basic structure by at least one of two needle beds of the flat knitting machine, and controlling the two needle beds on the flat knitting machine to knit a three-dimensional structure connected with the basic structure. A thickness of the three-dimensional structure is greater than a thickness of the basic structure, the three-dimensional structure comprises two surface layer portions and a supporting portion connected with the two surface layer portions and located between the two surface layer portions. A junction between the three-dimensional structure and the basic structure is without the supporting portion.

The invention provides a method for knitting and forming a weft-knitted fabric with varying thickness by a flat knitting machine and a weft-knitted fabric thereof. The method is implemented in at least one knitting process of the weft-knitted fabric, comprising steps of: driving the flat knitting machine to knit a basic structure by at least one of two needle beds of the flat knitting machine, and controlling the two needle beds on the flat knitting machine to knit a three-dimensional structure connected with the basic structure. A thickness of the three-dimensional structure is greater than a thickness of the basic structure, the three-dimensional structure comprises two surface layer portions and a supporting portion connected with the two surface layer portions and located between the two surface layer portions. A junction between the three-dimensional structure and the basic structure is without the supporting portion.

The present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper. An inlaid strand may extend through the knit element, and a tongue and the knit element may have a common yarn at least at a forward portion of the tongue, and the tongue may extend through a throat area of the upper.

The present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper. An inlaid strand may extend through the knit element, and a tongue and the knit element may have a common yarn at least at a forward portion of the tongue, and the tongue may extend through a throat area of the upper.

A needle bed and needle combination for a flat knitting machine includes a needle bed, a plurality of parallel sinkers provided at a front end of the needle bed, knitting needles and stitch elements provided in needle grooves, and a needle selection unit. Two knitting needles are arranged in parallel in the needle groove between every two adjacent sinkers, and are separately configured to make a knit stitch, a tuck stitch and a loop transfer stitch. The stitch element includes a control stitch element and elastic stitch elements. The control stitch element, the elastic stitch elements and the needle selection unit form the needle selection mechanism. Two elastic stitch elements are connected to the two knitting needles, respectively. The control stitch element is located above and engaged with the two elastic stitch elements. The needle selection unit is provided above the two elastic stitch elements.

Computer based systems and methods for designing and manufacturing consumer products, including knit footwear uppers, and the like. The system provides digital controls for the customization of knitted components, including complex multi-structured knitted components. The system simulates deformations of knit structures and allows the user to control and visualize compensations in the structure(s) of the knitted component to better match between an intended knit design and the actual physical knitted component outcome. They system may manufacture/fabricate a knitted component based on the predicted/estimated deformation behavior of the knit.

Computer based systems and methods for designing and manufacturing consumer products, including knit footwear uppers, and the like. The system provides digital controls for the customization of knitted components, including complex multi-structured knitted components. The system simulates deformations of knit structures and allows the user to control and visualize compensations in the structure(s) of the knitted component to better match between an intended knit design and the actual physical knitted component outcome. They system may manufacture/fabricate a knitted component based on the predicted/estimated deformation behavior of the knit.

There is provided a method for knitting a knitted fabric capable of forming a decoration unit of a novel shape using a flat knitting machine. A decoration unit (2) is formed on a surface of a base knitted fabric portion (1), the decoration unit (2) being configured by a lower edge (2D) extending in a knitting width direction of the base knitted fabric portion (1), a left edge (2L) extending in a direction intersecting the knitting width direction from a left end of the lower edge (2D), and a right edge (2R) extending in a direction intersecting the knitting width direction from a right end of the lower edge (2D). The lower edge (2D) is configured by a cross-over yarn extending in the knitting width direction of the base knitted fabric portion (1). The left edge (2L) and the right edge (2R) are configured by stitches stretched in a direction intersecting the knitting width direction. The cross-over yarn and the stitches are knitted all at once.