In knitting, welts are comparable to ribs (ribbing), only they run horizontally to the knitting rather than vertically. For example, a five row welting would be formed by knitting in stockinette for five rows, and then switching to reverse stockinette for five rows, and then continuing with the desired number of repeats.

The resulting fabric has a distinctive appearance. The purled rows bulge outwards, pulling the entire knitted piece together as ribbing does, but on the horizontal. They are a little like Michelin Man tire bulges, but on a smaller scale.

Welting is used alone sparingly, often to define an area or create shape in a garment. It is more frequently seen in conjunction with other pattern stitches to create larger effects.


Source: Mary Thomas's Book of Knitting Patterns by Mary Thomas. Dover Publications, Inc. NY, 1972

With thanks to anthropod for the Michelin Man's real name!

Welt (?), n. [OE. welte, probably fr. W. gwald a hem, a welt, gwaldu to welt or to hem.]

1.

That which, being sewed or otherwise fastened to an edge or border, serves to guard, strengthen, or adorn it

; as; (a)

A small cord covered with cloth and sewed on a seam or border to strengthen it; an edge of cloth folded on itself, usually over a cord, and sewed down.

(b)

A hem, border, or fringe.

[Obs.] (c)

In shoemaking, a narrow strip of leather around a shoe, between the upper leather and sole.

(d)

In steam boilers and sheet-iron work, a strip riveted upon the edges of plates that form a butt joint.

(e)

In carpentry, a strip of wood fastened over a flush seam or joint, or an angle, to strengthen it.

(f)

In machine-made stockings, a strip, or flap, of which the heel is formed.

2. Her.

A narrow border, as of an ordinary, but not extending around the ends.

Welt joint, a joint, as of plates, made with a welt, instead of by overlapping the edges. See Weld, n., 1 (d).

 

© Webster 1913.


Welt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Welted; p. pr. & vb. n. Welting.]

To furnish with a welt; to sew or fasten a welt on; as, to welt a boot or a shoe; to welt a sleeve.

 

© Webster 1913.


Welt, v. t.

To wilt.

[R.]

 

© Webster 1913.

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