#Knitting & Hosiery

2024-11-14

New lace pattern with cotton in the jacquard sets new standards in high-end underwear and clothing market

KARL MAYER launches an innovative lace for the underwear and clothing sector. The new, rigid article combines an exceptionally clear fabric appearance with an unrivalled filigree pattern in the centre section and was created on an MJ 92/1 F from a very thin, super-combed, Ne 200/2 ring-spun cotton yarn in the jacquard.

Brilliant fabric appearance, highly filigree pattern design

The idea for this was conceived back in the 1980s and KARL MAYER lace expert Jamie Heather has now been able to realise it on a JACQUARDTRONIC® Lace in F configuration.

“The arrangement of the Jacquard bar at the front instead of the back, as in the B version, allows an almost vertical yarn feed. This significantly widens the yarn tension window for processing very rigid cotton yarns,” he explains. This has advantages for the design: the wider tension tolerance means that patterns with more variable thread consumption can be realised without thread breakage or sagging. The result is impressive! The floral motif sections of the new JACQUARDTRONIC® lace have been produced entirely without jacquard work behind the gimps and therefore show optimum effects when cross-dyed. Their appearance is exceptionally clean and clear. For the gimp threads, Jamie Heather has used only flat twisted yarns - 70 dtex pre-dyed lurex and 1/167 dtex viscose, matt - to get as close as possible to the Leavers lace look. The net construction in the central geometric part of the design shows off the cotton Jacquard well and gives the appearance that it has been worked by hand.

The new pattern was produced on an MJ 92/1 F with a working width of 134" in gauge E 24. It was created using cotton sourced from Gebrüder Otto Baumwollfeinzwirnerei in Dietenheim. With its high-quality yarn and carefully drafted design, the innovative lace meets the needs of the high-end underwear and clothing sector. “Many customers have the idea of using cotton in the jacquard, but are unwilling to take this step as it deviates from standard production,” says Sascha Müller, Product Owner Global Lace & Raschel at KARL MAYER, looking forward to the upcoming Interfilière and Première Vision in Paris. At one of the trade fairs, he and Jamie Heather plan to present the latest lace developments during their customer visits.

Customers can find out more about the new lace from their KARL MAYER support team.

KARL MAYER opens a new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE – a new era of textile innovation begins

KARL MAYER is opening its new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE (TIC), sending a strong signal that it is driving textile innovation forward and opening up new perspectives for the textile industry. The TIC brings together the latest developments in Warp Knitting, Technical Textiles and Warp Preparation – KARL MAYER’s core areas of expertise.

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.

Huixing acquires insolvent Mayer & Cie.

Insolvency proceedings for the circular knitting and braiding machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. were opened on December 1, 2025. Immediately following the opening of proceedings, the complete cessation of business operations was initiated. Most employees were subsequently given notice effective the end of February 2026. The production of the remaining orders in the circular knitting segment is expected to be completed by the end of the month. As early as December 2025, Mayer & Cie.’s braiding machine division was sold to an Italian investor.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at GMMSA Expo India

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Indian sales representative Universal MEP Projects & Engineering Services, Ltd., will participate in the upcoming Garments Machinery Manufacturers & Suppliers Association (GMMSA) Expo India 2026 exhibition to be held in Ludhiana, India next month. Through its lineup at GMMSA, SHIMA SEIKI aims to further strengthen its presence within the Indian market with an exhibit that caters to diverse needs, consisting of seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology as well as a brand-new shaping machine with high productivity and excellent cost performance.

Terrot introduces T-Frame platform to redefine stability and flexibility in large-diameter circular knitting

Terrot Textilmaschinen GmbH has unveiled the new T-Frame, a universal machine frame platform for large-diameter circular knitting machines. Designed to meet growing demands for flexibility, stability, and operational safety, the T-Frame provides a next-generation foundation for both current and future industrial knitting machines, combining German engineering expertise with a modular, future-ready design approach.

Circulose restarts commercial-scale production at Ortviken plant in Sundsvall

Circulose today announced the restart of its commercial-scale production plant at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry. The company plans to resume production of CIRCULOSE®, a recycled pulp made entirely from discarded cotton textiles, in the fourth quarter of 2026.

VIATT 2026 to debut German Pavilion, strengthening European participation alongside key Asian textile hubs

Vietnam’s textile and garment sector continues to be a major contributor to the country’s economic growth, with export revenues expected to reach USD 46 billion in 2025, a 5.6% increase from 2024 . From 26 – 28 February, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to contribute to economic growth opportunities by accelerating digital transformation and green transition across the entire textile value chain. The upcoming edition will respond to the rising demand for advanced technologies and sustainable materials with the introduction of the German Pavilion, alongside strong exhibitor participation from key Asian sectors, as well as several high-profile fringe events.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.