Abstract: A spacer fabric and methods of making the same comprising: knitting first and second yarns to form a knit structure, the first yarn defining mirror image knit and tuck patterns on at least the first and second courses and the second yarn defining mirror image knit and miss patterns on at least the third and fourth courses to comprise a plurality of concave portions in facing opposition to a plurality of convex portions, the concave and convex portions defining void spaces having a substantially double convex cross section, wherein the first yarn has low thermal shrinkage and the second yarn has high thermal shrinkage, and heating the knit structure at a temperature sufficient to cause the second yarn to shrink by at least 10% in at least one dimension wherein the second yarn shrinks more than the first yarn in the at least one dimension when heating the knit structure.

Abstract: In one aspect, a shoe component is described. The shoe component comprises a body of continuous fabric having at least a first zone and a second zone. The first zone of the fabric has a first modulus of elasticity and the second zone of the fabric has a second modulus of elasticity that is different than the first modulus of elasticity. More than two zones can be provided per shoe component, in some cases.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a knitted shoe component are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting one or more fibers to form a toe portion; knitting one or more fibers to form a first wing portion; and knitting one or more fibers to form a second wing portion. The first and second wing portions extend from the toe portion and are knittingly connected to the toe portion. The method further comprises reducing the lateral separation between the first and second wing portions from an initial separation distance to a knitting separation distance such that the wing portions can be knitted together to form a seamless heel portion of the shoe component, including using a series of stitch transfer, racking, and knitting steps.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a spacer fabric are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting a first yarn or fiber and a second yarn or fiber to form a knit structure, wherein the knit structure comprises a plurality of concave portions in facing opposition to a plurality of convex portions. Further, the concave portions and the convex portions together define void spaces having a substantially double convex cross section. In some cases, the method further comprises heating the knit structure at a temperature sufficient to cause the second yarn or fiber to shrink in at least one dimension. Additionally, the second yarn or fiber shrinks more than the first yarn or fiber during the heating step. Moreover, in some instances, heating the knit structure increases a size of the void spaces of the knit structure, particularly in a thickness direction of the fabric.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a knitted shoe component are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting one or more fibers to form a toe portion; knitting one or more fibers to form a first wing portion; and knitting one or more fibers to form a second wing portion. The first and second wing portions extend from the toe portion and are knittingly connected to the toe portion. The method further comprises reducing the lateral separation between the first and second wing portions from an initial separation distance to a knitting separation distance such that the wing portions can be knitted together to form a seamless heel portion of the shoe component, including using a series of stitch transfer, racking, and knitting steps.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a knitted shoe component are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting one or more fibers to form a toe portion; knitting one or more fibers to form a first wing portion; and knitting one or more fibers to form a second wing portion. The first and second wing portions extend from the toe portion and are knittingly connected to the toe portion. The method further comprises reducing the lateral separation between the first and second wing portions from an initial separation distance to a knitting separation distance such that the wing portions can be knitted together to form a seamless heel portion of the shoe component, including using a series of stitch transfer, racking, and knitting steps.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making a knitted shoe component are described herein. In some embodiments, a method comprises knitting one or more fibers to form a toe portion; knitting one or more fibers to form a first wing portion; and knitting one or more fibers to form a second wing portion. The first and second wing portions extend from the toe portion and are knittingly connected to the toe portion. The method further comprises reducing the lateral separation between the first and second wing portions from an initial separation distance to a knitting separation distance such that the wing portions can be knitted together to form a seamless heel portion of the shoe component, including using a series of stitch transfer, racking, and knitting steps.