Abstract: A method for treating a knitted fabric containing cotton fibers with an alkali hydroxide, which comprises impregnating said fabric with an aqueous solution of an alkali hydroxide while continuously feeding it in the open form in the longitudinal direction, allowing the fabric to shrink in the longitudinal direction, then feeding it to a tenter while giving an overfeed, thereby to hold it to a given width, and then washing the fabric. The knitted cotton fabrics so treated have superior dimensional stability, especially dimensional stability in the widthwise direction, a deep silky luster, a soft bulky hand, and a superior dyeability.