Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Knitting Specialist Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Knitting Specialist Assistant supports the knitting team in efficient production and high-quality garment development by operating and maintaining knitting machinery, assisting with pattern programming, handling yarn and materials, troubleshooting process issues, and performing quality checks. This role acts as the hands-on technical support to knitting specialists, enabling on-time sample and production delivery while maintaining safety and documentation standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Production Assistant or Textile Operator
Knitting Machine Trainee or Apprentice
Sample Room Technician or Sewing Assistant

Advancement To:

Knitting Specialist / Knitting Technician
Senior Knitting Machine Operator
Sample Room Lead or Production Supervisor
Quality Control Manager (Textiles)

Lateral Moves:

CAD Knit Designer (Shima Seiki / Stoll)
Quality Inspector (Apparel)
Yarn & Materials Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate and monitor circular and flatbed knitting machines (industrial and semi-industrial) to meet daily production quotas while adhering to pattern specifications and quality standards.
Assist in programming and uploading knit patterns into machine controllers (e.g., Shima Seiki, Stoll), verifying pattern alignment and repeat accuracy before run start.
Inspect incoming yarns and trimmings for defects, count, and label yarn lots, and prepare yarn feeders and tubes to ensure smooth machine feeding and minimize downtime.
Set up machine gauges, needles, cams, and feeders according to technical specs for each style, adjusting tension and stitch density to achieve correct fabric hand and measurements.
Conduct pre-production trials and sampling runs, document outcomes, and apply learnings to finalize machine settings and pattern files for full production.
Troubleshoot mechanical and process issues on the knitting floor—identifying dropped stitches, loop defects, yarn breaks, and tension irregularities—and implement corrective actions or escalate to maintenance.
Perform routine maintenance and cleaning of knitting machines (lubrication, needle replacement, sensor checks), maintain simple mechanical repairs, and log maintenance activities.
Collaborate with knit designers, pattern makers, and technologists to convert tech packs and CAD files into machine-ready formats and provide feedback on constructability.
Execute in-line and final quality inspections using measuring tools (tape, calipers), check gauge, stitch count, and dimensional tolerances, and tag or segregate non-conforming garments.
Assist with color management by validating dye lot codes, tracking lot-to-lot consistency, and reporting color variation or shading issues during runs.
Record production data including machine speed, yield rates, waste, and downtime into daily production logs, and communicate KPI results to supervisors.
Support changeovers between styles, ensuring tools, gauges, and required consumables are prepared to minimize setup time and prevent cross-contamination of yarns and finishes.
Maintain clear labeling and traceability for sample and production lots to support quality audits, defect root-cause analysis, and corrective action tracking.
Follow and enforce safety protocols, lockout/tagout procedures, and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) while operating machines and performing maintenance tasks.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives such as 5S on the knitting floor, process standardization, and minor kaizen projects to increase uptime and reduce scrap.
Train and mentor junior operators and temporary staff on machine operation, sample set-up, basic troubleshooting, and quality checkpoints to ensure consistent workmanship.
Coordinate with warehouse and logistics on material staging, inventory levels of yarn cones and accessories, and timely delivery of samples to downstream processes.
Document technical changes, machine settings, and lessons learned in the style file or production dossier to preserve institutional knowledge and reproducibility.
Support seasonal production planning by providing realistic machine capacity, setup times, and anticipated resource constraints for each style.
Liaise with external service providers or OEM technicians during major repairs or calibration services, ensuring minimal disruption and proper follow-up.
Assist in fabric testing and small lab trials (hand-feel, gauge checks, shrinkage tests) and communicate results to development and quality teams for approval.
Prepare and present clear, actionable daily shift reports to the knitting specialist and production manager, highlighting issues, resolutions, and recommended next steps.

Secondary Functions

Support sample room coordination by organizing prototypes, maintaining sample libraries, and preparing garments for fittings and photo shoots.
Run exploratory trials for new yarns, stitch structures, and finishes under the guidance of the knitting specialist to evaluate feasibility and cost impacts.
Assist with supplier communications regarding yarn specifications, backorders, and delivery schedules to prevent production delays.
Participate in cross-functional meetings with design, production planning, and quality assurance to align on priorities and deadlines.
Help maintain digital pattern repositories and backup machine files to ensure secure, auditable records of production patterns.
Contribute to training materials, SOPs, and onboarding documents for new knitting floor hires, incorporating best practices and troubleshooting guides.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Industrial circular knitting machine operation (single jersey, rib, interlock) with demonstrated ability to set gauges, change cylinders, and replace needles.
Flatbed knitting machine experience, including bed programming and manual adjustments.
Familiarity with pattern programming and machine controllers (Shima Seiki SDS-ONE, Stoll M1Plus, or similar).
Yarn science knowledge: fiber content, yarn count, twist, ply, and how these affect knit structure and tension.
Proficient in machine maintenance basics: lubrication, needle replacement, feeder adjustment, and minor mechanical troubleshooting.
Quality inspection techniques for knitted fabrics: dimensional measurement, stitch density, and defect identification.
Basic use of textile measurement tools (tape measure, fabric gauge, tension meter, loop counter).
Ability to interpret tech packs, construction drawings, and knit CAD outputs.
Experience with sample development workflows and lab testing (shrinkage, pilling, colorfastness basics).
Production data entry and basic Excel skills for logging yields, downtime, and inventory.
Familiarity with 5S, kaizen, or other shop-floor continuous improvement methodologies.
Knowledge of health & safety standards specific to textile production and machine operation.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail with an emphasis on consistency and repeatability in sample and production runs.
Excellent problem-solving skills and mechanical aptitude to diagnose and resolve machine/process issues quickly.
Effective verbal and written communication to report issues, document settings, and collaborate across teams.
Time management and ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced production environment.
Team-oriented mindset and willingness to train or be trained; supportive of cross-functional collaboration.
Adaptability to changing production schedules, materials, and technical requirements.
Patience and persistence in iterative sample development and troubleshooting.
Organizational skills to manage multiple styles, yarn lots, and documentation simultaneously.
Proactive attitude toward continuous improvement and process ownership.
Customer-focused perspective when supporting internal design partners and external vendors.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; vocational training or certificate in textile manufacturing is a strong plus.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Textile Technology, Apparel Production, Fashion Design, or Mechanical Technology.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Textile Engineering / Technology
Apparel Manufacturing / Fashion Technology
Mechanical or Industrial Maintenance (focused on small machinery)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–4 years working with knitting machines, sample rooms, or textile production environments.

Preferred:

2+ years operating industrial knitting equipment (circular and/or flatbed), demonstrated sample development experience, and a track record of supporting production launches with attention to quality and uptime.