Does a knit material have a bias? I mean, like when you cut out pattern pieces

[raccoon]

using a woven material, some pieces you lay on the bias. Seems to me it wouldn't matter which way you lay the pieces using a knit.

[NEOhiodemocrat]

1. some knits have 'give' to them

try pulling gently one direction and than the other. If the material gives (stretches) more one way than the other than it would be best to use it as if there is bias. It couldn't hurt and usually there are not may pieces that are layed out on the bias in a pattern. Bias just means layed out at a 45% angle to the main structure of material.

[eilen]

2. yes. knits have a bias

even though they are knit they still have a "stratight of" grain. Depending on the knit, the grain can be difficult to see. I usually will use a magnifying glass and good light and use painter's tape to mark the straight grain. Because it is knit, if you move it alot, it can stretch off grain easily. This is why for commercial fabrication, they allow the knit to "relax" on the cutting table overnight before cutting.

I don't know in what application it is necessary to cut a knit on a bias unless it is to have that "bias" drape effect. Although I can certainly see the design needs to use the bias of a stretch-woven material.