Linking machine
Also known as: Linker, Cup linker, Loop linker
Specialised knitwear machine that joins two knitted pieces stitch by stitch on needle points, producing an invisible, elastic linking seam.
Description
The linking machine (also linker) is the standard machine of knitwear finishing. Two knitted pieces are placed stitch by stitch onto a circular or linear row of fine needle points (cup linker or bar linker); a sewing head then joins them with a chain stitch. The resulting linked seam is exactly one course wide, stretchable and virtually invisible.
Linkers are classified by gauge: 8 needles/inch (coarse) to 24 needles/inch (fine merino/cashmere). Linker gauge must match the fabric gauge (typically E7–E18).
Typical applications:
- Attaching cuffs, necklines and sleeve ends to sweaters and cardigans
- Sock toes ("hand-linked" = quality feature of premium men's socks)
- Assembly of back, front and sleeves of fully-fashioned knitwear
Leading brands: Rimoldi, Complett, Yamato, Rosso. Modern CNC linkers use cameras for automatic stitch pick-up; in the premium segment (cashmere, merino) hand linking is still practised.
Properties
| Principle | Stitch by stitch on needle points |
|---|---|
| Stitch | Chain stitch |
| Gauge | 8-24 needles/inch (E7-E18) |
| Types | Cup linker / bar linker |
| Manufacturers | Rimoldi, Complett, Yamato, Rosso |
| Quality mark | Hand linking on premium socks & cashmere |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Knitted fabric Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knitted_fabric
