by sensor 59 in any of its forms the apparatus of the invention represents a significant advance in the art of processing tubular knitted fabric involving spreading to width in this respect the processing of knitted fabric by various techniques which include the step of spreading the fabric to flat form and predetermined width is an old and well developed art nevertheless it has been impracticable heretofore to make in process width adjustments because of the fact that the spreader frame is completely enclosed within the moving fabric tube the mechanism of the present invention utilizing a gas spring actuator having relatively constant force throughout its full range of extension enables the width of the spreader frame and hence the width of the processed fabric to be regulated and varied as an in process adjustment by controlling the position of the edge drive roll carriages 27 in a typical installation a series of two or more self adjustable spacer bar assemblies may be provided adapted for quick interchange with the spreader frame sections so that the proper range of width adjustment may be accommodated when setting up the equipment to handle a specific type and size of fabric additional important advantages are derived from the invention by reason of the fact that the in process width adjustment may be easily accomplished from a remote location enabling the operator to make adjustments from a suitable observation point such as the.