What Is Double Knit Jacquard Fabric?
Jacquard double knit fabric combines two separate things: a double knit construction, which is a knitting method that uses two sets of needles to produce a stable, thicker fabric, and jacquard patterning, which is a technique for knitting a design directly into the fabric structure rather than printing or embroidering it on afterward. Put together, jacquard double knit is a thicker, more stable knit fabric with a pattern or motif built into its construction.
Double Knit vs. Single Knit
Single knit fabrics, like standard jersey, are produced on one set of needles and tend to be thinner, more flexible, and prone to curling at a cut edge, plus they can run or unravel if a loop is snagged. Double knit fabric uses two sets of needles working together, which produces a fabric with a similar appearance on both the front and back, generally more stable, less prone to curling, and somewhat heavier than a comparable single knit.
That added stability is part of why double knit is a common base for more structured knit garments, and why it pairs well with jacquard patterning — the double knit base helps hold the more complex jacquard structure in shape.
How Jacquard Patterns Are Built Into the Knit
Jacquard knitting uses a specialized knitting machine or loom-like mechanism that can selectively knit, tuck, or float different yarns and stitches to form a design, rather than knitting a uniform stitch across the whole fabric. This lets manufacturers create floral, geometric, abstract, or custom motifs with raised or recessed texture, and sometimes multiple colors, directly in the fabric itself. Because the pattern is knitted in rather than applied afterward, it generally won’t crack, peel, or fade the way a printed design can over time.
Characteristics of Jacquard Double Knit Fabric
- Textured surface: raised or recessed areas from the jacquard pattern give the fabric visible texture, not just a flat printed look.
- Added stability: the double knit base resists curling at the edges and holds its shape better than a single jacquard knit would.
- Moderate weight: combining two knitting techniques generally produces a fabric heavier than basic jersey, suited to structured garments rather than very lightweight ones.
- Durability: the interlocking yarns in both the double knit base and the jacquard pattern tend to make this fabric more resistant to pulls and snags than a thinner single knit.
Downsides of Jacquard Fabric
Jacquard double knit’s thickness and pattern complexity can also work against it in some situations. It’s generally less breathable than a simple single knit because of its added bulk, and it can be more expensive to produce because of the specialized knitting machinery required, which often carries through to a higher retail price. The textured surface can also be less suited to very fitted or drapey garment styles compared to a smoother knit. If you’re weighing jacquard double knit against other knit options, our knit vs. woven fabric guide covers how knit fabrics generally compare to woven ones, which can help with context before deciding.
Common Uses for Jacquard Double Knit
Jacquard double knit fabric shows up often in structured apparel like sweaters, jackets, and dresses where some shape retention matters, as well as in upholstery and home textiles where a durable, patterned fabric is useful.