Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Knit Designer

💰 $ - $

Fashion DesignApparelTextilesCreative

🎯 Role Definition

A Knit Designer is the creative visionary and technical expert responsible for the entire lifecycle of a knitwear collection. Blending artistry with a deep technical knowledge of yarns, stitches, and machinery, they translate seasonal trends and brand identity into tangible, desirable, and commercially viable garments. This role is pivotal, acting as the bridge between the conceptual design team, technical designers, and manufacturing partners. They ensure that every sweater, cardigan, and knit accessory not only looks beautiful but is also constructed with integrity, fits perfectly, and can be produced efficiently and to the highest quality standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Assistant Knit Designer
  • Textile Design Graduate / Intern
  • Associate Technical Designer (Knitwear Focus)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Knit Designer
  • Head of Knitwear / Design Manager (Knits)
  • Design Director

Lateral Moves:

  • Product Developer (Knitwear)
  • Textile/Yarn Sourcing Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Spearhead the seasonal design and development process for all knitwear categories, including sweaters, cardigans, and knit dresses, from initial concept through to final production approval.
  • Conduct comprehensive market research and trend analysis, identifying key knitwear silhouettes, stitch techniques, yarn innovations, and color palettes to ensure the collection is relevant, modern, and brand-aligned.
  • Conceptualize and create original, innovative knitwear designs that uphold the brand's aesthetic, translating seasonal themes and inspirations into commercially viable product.
  • Develop detailed, accurate technical specification packages (tech packs) in a PLM system, including flat sketches, garment construction details, stitch diagrams, and a full bill of materials.
  • Source, select, and develop new yarns and trims in partnership with the materials team, considering quality, price point, and performance characteristics for each garment.
  • Create and manage detailed swatch development requests and knit-down artworks, clearly communicating stitch structures, intarsia/jacquard layouts, and finishing techniques to factory partners.
  • Collaborate closely with the Technical Design team throughout the fitting process, attending all knitwear fit sessions to provide design-intent guidance and solve construction or fit challenges.
  • Review and provide clear, actionable comments on all development samples, including proto samples, fit samples, and pre-production samples, ensuring they meet design and quality standards.
  • Manage the approval process for all raw materials, including lab dips for color, yarn quality submissions, and strike-offs for pattern and texture.
  • Maintain daily communication with overseas and domestic vendors and factories to monitor development progress, troubleshoot issues, and ensure the timely delivery of samples.
  • Prepare and present the knitwear collection at key internal meetings, articulating the design vision, key items, and seasonal story to cross-functional partners in merchandising, sales, and marketing.
  • Create and maintain all necessary design presentation tools, including concept boards, color palettes, and detailed line sheets for internal and external use.
  • Partner with the Merchandising team to build a balanced and strategic collection that meets assortment needs, style count targets, and margin goals.
  • Utilize CAD software, primarily Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, to create detailed flat sketches, develop colorways for each style, and create artwork for jacquards and prints.
  • Actively manage the seasonal design calendar, ensuring all personal and team deadlines for sketching, tech pack creation, and sample comments are met.
  • Maintain and organize the physical and digital libraries of yarns, stitch developments, and vintage knitwear samples for easy reference and inspiration.
  • Travel domestically and internationally for market research, trend shopping, and factory visits to oversee development and build strong vendor relationships.
  • Possess a deep understanding of various knitting machine capabilities, gauges, and limitations to design product that is both innovative and manufacturable.
  • Problem-solve and offer creative solutions for any design, development, or production challenges that arise, balancing design intent with cost and timeline constraints.
  • Mentor and guide assistant or associate-level designers, fostering their creative and technical growth within the knitwear category.

Secondary Functions

  • Participate in seasonal photoshoots to ensure garments are styled and represented according to the design vision.
  • Contribute to the organization's sustainability goals by researching and proposing eco-friendly yarns and production methods.
  • Collaborate with the marketing and e-commerce teams to provide detailed product knowledge and key feature call-outs for storytelling.
  • Assist in reviewing and cataloging vintage or inspirational sample purchases for the design library.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) for sketching and artwork creation.
  • Deep technical knowledge of knitwear construction, including fully-fashioned, cut-and-sew, and whole-garment knitting.
  • Expertise in a wide range of stitch structures, including jacquard, intarsia, cables, ribs, and pointelle.
  • Strong understanding of different yarn types (e.g., merino, cashmere, cotton, synthetics), their properties, and appropriate applications.
  • Experience creating and managing detailed technical packages (tech packs) with precision.
  • Proficiency with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for data entry and style management.
  • Ability to create clear and actionable knit-down artworks and stitch diagrams for factories.
  • Skilled in conducting fittings and providing clear comments on garment fit and construction.
  • Knowledge of knitwear machinery, gauges, and production limitations.
  • Experience with 3D design software (e.g., CLO3D, Browzwear) is a significant plus.
  • Strong hand-sketching ability to quickly communicate initial ideas.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional creativity and a strong fashion sense with a keen eye for color, texture, and silhouette.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaborating with internal teams and external vendors.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • High level of attention to detail and a commitment to quality and precision in all aspects of work.
  • Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively as part of a cross-functional team.
  • Proactive problem-solving abilities to address design and development challenges creatively and efficiently.
  • Adaptability and flexibility to respond to shifting trends, business needs, and feedback.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or similar specialized degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Fashion Design
  • Textile Design / Knitwear Design

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of professional experience in knitwear design.

Preferred:

A portfolio demonstrating strong technical knitwear skills and a creative design aesthetic. Experience within a specific market segment (e.g., luxury, contemporary, mass-market) is highly valued.

Explore More Careers