Abstract: Abstract In order to find out the fabric structure influence on the property of the fabric, 5 kinds of stitches such as the siping needle stitch, milano rib stitch, 1+1 rib stitch, cardigan and half cardigan stitches commonly used in sweater were selected and, their performance were tested. The experimental results show that siping stitch is the most thinnest; The warmth retention of cardigan stitch is the best and its breathability also very good; The warmth retention is influenced by both the thickness and permeability. In a certain sinking depth range, the thickness plays a leading role on the influence of the warmth retention property, with the increase of sinking depth, the permeability become the leading role; The warmth retention thickness ratio and sinking depth has quadratic polynomial relationship.

Key words: fabric structure, sweater, warmth retention, thickness, permeability