Fleece

What is Fleece Fabric?

Two-Thread and Three-Thread Fleece are knit fabrics designed for comfort, warmth, and durability. They are made using raised loops on the interior surface to create a plush, insulating texture, while the outer surface remains smooth for versatility and style. Both are commonly made from 100% cotton, though other blends can be used for added performance.

• Two-Thread Fleece: Features a lighter, mid-weight construction, ideal for moderate warmth and casual wear.
• Three-Thread Fleece: Has a thicker, heavier structure, offering more insulation and a denser feel, making it perfect for colder conditions.

A Closer Look at the Structure

Both Two-Thread and Three-Thread Fleece share a similar core structure but differ in the number of yarn threads used to knit the fabric.

• Two-Thread Fleece: As the name suggests, it is knitted using two yarn threads—one for the smooth face and one for the brushed loops on the inside. This results in a fabric that is soft, warm, yet lightweight, perfect for everyday outerwear.
• Three-Thread Fleece: Knitted with an extra layer of yarn, it offers a denser and thicker fabric with additional warmth. The added third thread enhances the structure, making the fleece more durable and providing extra insulation for colder weather.
• Raised Loop Interior: Both types have a brushed inner surface, where the yarn loops are raised and brushed to create a fuzzy, insulating texture. This is key to the fleece’s ability to trap heat and provide warmth.
• Smooth Outer Surface: The front or outer surface remains smooth and flat, often used for printing, embroidery, or giving the fabric a clean, polished look.

Warmth

It provides excellent insulation, trapping body heat to keep you warm.

Soft and Cozy

The brushed interior in both types gives a plush, soft feel, making these fabrics comfortable for all-day wear.

Durability

The extra yarn in Three-Thread Fleece adds strength, making it more robust for heavy use, while Two-Thread Fleece balances durability with a lighter feel.

Breathability

Both fabrics are breathable, though the lighter Two-Thread Fleece offers more airflow, while Three-Thread focuses on insulation.

Wrinkle-Resistant

The smooth outer surface in both types ensures a neat appearance, even with extended wear.

How Fleece Fabrics are Made

• Feeding Yarn: For both fabrics, yarns are fed into a circular knitting machine.
• Knitting the Base Fabric: The knitting machine creates loops on the back (interior) side while keeping the front (outer) surface smooth. The interior loops are where the fleece texture comes from.
• Raising the Loops (Brushing Process): After knitting, the interior side of the fabric undergoes brushing. This process involves metal rollers with fine bristles that lift and tease out the yarn loops, creating a soft, fluffy surface.
• Finishing: After brushing, the fabric is processed for dyeing, pre-shrinking, and any other finishing treatments to enhance durability or softness.

Popular Uses of Fleece Fabrics

• Hoodies and Sweatshirts: The most popular use, with Two-Thread offering lightweight comfort and Three-Thread providing extra warmth for colder days.
• Track Pants and Joggers: Both fabrics work well for cozy, flexible loungewear or sportswear, with Two-Thread providing a lighter option and Three-Thread offering extra insulation.
• Outerwear and Jackets: Three-Thread Fleece, in particular, is great for light jackets that offer insulation, while Two-Thread works well for layering pieces.
• Children’s Clothing: Both fabrics are used in kids’ hoodies, joggers, and casual clothing because of their softness and warmth.
• Winter Accessories: Three-Thread Fleece is often used for scarves, gloves, and other cold-weather accessories where warmth is essential.