Abstract: This paper investigated the wearing properties of knitted fabrics made from four kinds of different fibers including wool, cashmere, yak cashmere and camel hair by using the relative hand evaluation method. As regards stiffness, softness, smoothness, drapability, wrinkle recovery rate, relative hand value and fiber characteristics, the wearing properties of the knitted fabric were analyzed and compared. The result showed that the cashmere fabric was softer, smoother and draper than the other fabrics and had better wearing properties, consequently the relative hand evaluation method can not only characterize fabric handle quickly and easily, but also provide a theoretical guidance to the research of wearability.

Key words: relative hand value; stiffness; softness; smoothness; wearing properties