Luxury T-shirts
High-GSM cotton interlock for structured silhouettes and smooth print surfaces.
Dense double-knit sourcing
Interlock Fabric Sourcing
Interlock uses opposing circular needle beds to create a smooth, dense, double-faced textile that lies flat instead of curling at cut edges.
Fenalt manages fiber selection, gauge, yarn count, finishing, cut-and-sew execution, and final export as one controlled supply chain.
Direct answer
A stable, smooth double-knit option
Interlock is useful when a brand needs opacity, a clean print surface, natural crosswise stretch, and a garment that holds its shape. Its identical face and back simplify technical cutting because the raw edge does not curl like single jersey.
The choice still depends on the target hand, GSM, fiber blend, and end use. Fenalt coordinates those variables with the mill before dyeing, compacting, and garment assembly.
Applications
From infantwear to tailored knitwear
Loungewear
Double-knit warmth, soft hand, and shape retention across tracksuits and crewnecks.
Infantwear
180–220 GSM micro-interlock with a smooth, low-friction surface.
Activewear
Cotton-poly or polyester-elastane interlock for recovery and moderate moisture management.
Tailored knitwear
300+ GSM interlock for structured knit blazers, polo collars, and heavy tops.
Yarn and gauge
Choose the count before the sample
The same interlock architecture can produce a very different hand and silhouette when gauge, yarn count, and fiber composition change.
| Category | GSM | Yarn count | Gauge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine / infant | 180–210 GSM | 36/1 or 40/1 combed compact | 28E–32E |
| Midweight standard | 220–260 GSM | 30/1 or 32/1 combed ring-spun | 24E–28E |
| Heavyweight premium | 270–320 GSM | 20/1 or 24/1 combed / 40/2 plied | 20E–24E |
| Extra heavy | 330–380+ GSM | 16/1 or 20/2 compact ring-spun | 18E–20E |
Cotton
Combed compact ring-spun cotton minimizes hairiness and pilling.
Blends
Cotton/modal improves drape; cotton/polyester improves stability and cost control.
Elastane
A 3–8% addition supports recovery and long-term shape retention.
Structural comparison
Interlock against single jersey and rib
| Property | Architecture | Surface | Edge curl | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interlock | Double-knit cylinder and dial | Smooth on both sides | Zero | High opacity, 180–400 GSM |
| Single jersey | Single needle bed | V-loops face, purl back | Strong | Moderate to sheer, 120–280 GSM |
| 1x1 rib | Alternating cylinder and dial | Vertical ridges | Minimal | Elastic, 180–320 GSM |
Reactive dyeing
Deep, colorfast cotton shades resistant to wash fading.
Bio-polishing
Cellulase clears micro-fibrils for a smooth, pill-resistant hand.
Mechanical control
Stenter, Sanforizing or felt compacting, and heat-setting protect POM stability.
Managed procurement
From yarn spinning to export dispatch
01
Yarn and procurement
Confirm fiber, count, gauge, target GSM, color, and end use with the mill.
02
Circular interlock knitting
Run the double-knit construction on the selected cylinder and dial setup.
03
Dyeing and compacting
Stabilize shade, width, GSM, and residual shrinkage before cutting.
04
Cut, sew, inspect, export
Complete garment assembly, final AQL 2.5 inspection, and agreed export dispatch.
Questions and answers
Interlock sourcing FAQs
What is interlock fabric?
Interlock is a double-knit textile made on circular machines with opposing cylinder and dial needle beds. Its identical face and back lie flat and provide high opacity and recovery.
Which fibers work in interlock?
Options include 100% combed compact cotton, GOTS-compliant organic cotton, cotton/modal, cotton/polyester, and 3% to 8% elastane additions for recovery.
What garments use interlock?
The source highlights heavyweight T-shirts, premium loungewear and tracksuits, infantwear, activewear mid-layers, and tailored knitwear such as heavy polos and knit blazers.
How is interlock stabilized?
Stenter framing controls width, mechanical compacting pre-shrinks the knit, and heat-setting locks elastane-containing constructions at the target weight and width.
Specify the double-knit program
Make the interlock sample answer the right question
Share your target GSM, yarn count, gauge, fiber blend, and garment use for a managed interlock sourcing plan.