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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Knitwear Intern

💰 $ - $

Fashion DesignApparelInternshipKnitwearProduct Development

🎯 Role Definition

The Knitwear Intern is a foundational role within a fashion design and product development team, offering immersive, hands-on experience in the complete lifecycle of knit apparel. This position is designed as a launchpad for aspiring designers, providing direct support to the Knitwear Design and Technical teams. The intern will be actively involved in the day-to-day operations, from initial concept and yarn research to the final stages of sample development. This is a true learning opportunity, where a passion for textiles, construction, and fashion is nurtured through practical application and mentorship. We see this role not just as a support function, but as an integral part of the creative process, bringing fresh perspectives while learning the technical and commercial realities of the industry.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Fashion Design or Textile Science Student (Undergraduate or Graduate)
  • Recent Graduate with a specialization in Knitwear
  • Aspiring Designer with a strong personal portfolio in knit crafts

Advancement To:

  • Assistant Knitwear Designer
  • Associate Knitwear Designer
  • Yarn & Materials Developer

Lateral Moves:

  • Technical Designer (Knitwear Specialist)
  • Product Development Assistant (Knits)
  • Textile Designer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Assist in the creation and meticulous updating of technical packages (tech packs), ensuring all details regarding yarn quality, knit construction, garment measurements, and finishing are accurate.
  • Support the design team in researching and developing seasonal concepts, color palettes, and innovative knitwear trends by creating mood boards and research presentations.
  • Participate in the hands-on development of knit swatches and trials, experimenting with different yarns, gauges, and stitch techniques on knitting machines or by hand.
  • Maintain and organize the seasonal yarn library, which includes cataloging new yarn arrivals, updating inventory, and preparing yarn cards for design review.
  • Prepare and send detailed packages with clear instructions, yarn standards, and color direction to overseas vendors and factory partners.
  • Shadow and assist designers during fit sessions, taking detailed notes on sample adjustments, construction critiques, and aesthetic changes.
  • Use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create and update technical sketches (flats), stitch layouts, and color-ups for presentation boards and tech packs.
  • Track the progress of incoming and outgoing knit samples, ensuring they are logged, labeled, and prepared for review in a timely manner.
  • Communicate with cross-functional partners in Technical Design and Production to help relay design intent and ensure the seamless flow of information.
  • Aid in the development of presentation materials for key milestone meetings, including mounting swatches, organizing samples, and preparing design boards.
  • Research and source new and sustainable yarn options from mills and suppliers, requesting samples and organizing initial pricing information for the team.
  • Manage the organization of the knitwear design area, including flat-filing sketches, archiving past season samples, and maintaining a tidy workspace.

Secondary Functions

  • Conduct competitive market research by analyzing competitor assortments, pricing, and knitwear trends both online and in-store.
  • Assist in photographing knitwear samples and swatches for internal archives and digital presentations.
  • Help prepare for showroom setups and market appointments by ensuring all knitwear samples are steamed, tagged, and presented correctly.
  • Provide general administrative support to the Knitwear Design team, including scheduling meetings and managing sample shipments.
  • Create digital renderings and stitch simulations to help visualize knit patterns and textures before physical sampling begins.
  • Support the creation of detailed Bill of Materials (BOMs) for each knit garment, documenting all components from yarn to trims.
  • Participate in brainstorming sessions for new knitwear concepts, bringing fresh ideas and a new perspective to the team.
  • Archive and document all approved knit standards, swatches, and lab dips for future season reference.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for creating detailed technical flats and in Adobe Photoshop for color-ups and mood boards.
  • Knitwear Construction: A solid understanding of different knit structures (jersey, rib, interlock, jacquard), stitch techniques, and linking/finishing methods.
  • Yarn Knowledge: Foundational knowledge of different fiber types (wool, cotton, cashmere, synthetics), yarn counts, and their properties.
  • Technical Package (Tech Pack) Development: Ability to assist in creating or updating components of a tech pack, including measurements and construction callouts.
  • Hand and Machine Knitting: Practical experience with hand knitting or operation of a domestic/industrial knitting machine is a significant plus.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Competency in Excel for tracking samples and managing data, and PowerPoint for creating presentations.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: A meticulous eye for spotting inconsistencies in samples, sketches, and documentation.
  • Proactive & Eager to Learn: A strong desire to absorb new information, ask thoughtful questions, and take initiative on tasks without constant supervision.
  • Organizational Skills: The ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and maintain an organized physical and digital workspace in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong Communication: Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills for interacting with the team and external partners.
  • Collaborative Spirit: A positive, team-player attitude with a willingness to help out wherever needed.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Associate's degree from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Education:

  • Enrolled in a degree program with a specific concentration in Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, or Textile Science.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Fashion Design
  • Textile Design / Textile Science
  • Apparel Product Development

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0-1 years. This is an entry-level role designed for students or recent graduates with a demonstrable passion for knitwear.

Preferred:

  • A strong, well-curated portfolio that showcases knitwear design projects, hand or machine-knitted swatches, and a clear design process. Previous internship experience within a fashion or apparel company is highly advantageous.
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