Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Knitwear Maker

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly skilled and passionate Knitwear Maker to join our dynamic team. This is a hands-on role for a true artisan who blends technical expertise with a creative eye. As a Knitwear Maker, you will be the crucial link between design concept and finished product, responsible for programming, knitting, and constructing beautiful, high-quality knitwear samples and small production runs. You will operate at the heart of the product development cycle, collaborating closely with designers and technical teams to innovate and perfect each garment. This position requires a deep understanding of yarn, machine capabilities, and garment construction, offering a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on our collections.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Fashion or Textile Design Graduate
Apparel Production Assistant
Experienced Hand-Knitter or Knitting Hobbyist with a technical portfolio
Textile Technician

Advancement To:

Senior Knitwear Maker / Lead Knitwear Technician
Knitwear Product Developer
Knitwear Designer
Head of Knitwear Sampling / Atelier Manager
Production Manager (Knitwear)

Lateral Moves:

Technical Designer (Knitwear Specialist)
Textile Designer
Pattern Maker (Knitwear Focus)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate and program industrial knitting machines (e.g., Stoll, Shima Seiki) or hand-flat machines to produce high-quality knitwear samples and garments.
Translate complex design concepts, sketches, and technical packs from the design team into tangible, finished knitwear pieces.
Develop and knit a wide variety of swatches for seasonal collections, experimenting with new yarns, stitch structures, tensions, and techniques.
Execute all stages of garment assembly and finishing, including linking, seaming, trimming, and applying hardware, to a luxury standard.
Conduct meticulous quality control inspections on all knitted panels and completed garments to ensure they meet strict brand specifications and design intent.
Perform routine maintenance, cleaning, and troubleshooting of knitting machines to ensure they are operating at peak performance and to minimize downtime.
Collaborate directly with knitwear designers, providing expert technical feedback on the feasibility of proposed designs and suggesting alternative solutions.
Manage and maintain the yarn inventory for sampling, accurately tracking consumption and forecasting needs to ensure materials are available.
Create, update, and maintain comprehensive technical documentation for each style, including machine programming notes, yarn details, and finishing instructions for production handover.
Accurately calculate yarn consumption and production time for each sample to provide critical data for costing and production planning teams.
Rework and adjust existing knitting programs and patterns for new colorways, yarn changes, or minor design updates as required.
Actively participate in all fit sessions, offering technical insights and solutions to achieve the desired silhouette, drape, and fit of the garment.
Research and develop innovative knitting techniques, structures, and finishing applications to drive innovation and inspire future collections.
Ensure the knitting studio and production space are kept organized, safe, and efficient, adhering to all workplace health and safety standards.
Deconstruct and analyze competitor or vintage garments to understand their construction, techniques, and quality for internal research and development.

Secondary Functions

Assist the sourcing team in testing and evaluating new yarns from suppliers for quality, performance, sustainability, and compatibility with our machinery.
Maintain and organize a comprehensive physical and digital library of all developed knit swatches, samples, and technical data for future reference and inspiration.
Liaise with external factories and production partners on technical matters, ensuring a smooth and accurate transition from in-house sample to bulk production.
Stay current with the latest advancements in knitwear technology, machinery, software, and sustainable materials to contribute fresh and relevant ideas to the team.
Mentor and train junior team members or interns on the operation of knitting machinery, programming, and specialized finishing techniques.
Document the entire sampling process with precision, logging challenges, solutions, and key learnings to support continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
Prepare and dispatch sample packages to internal teams, showrooms, or external partners, ensuring all items are correctly labeled and documented.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Machine Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in programming and operating industrial knitting machines, such as Stoll (M1+) and/or Shima Seiki (Apex).
Knit Structures: Deep knowledge of diverse knit structures, including jacquard, intarsia, plating, Aran, and fully-fashioned techniques.
Garment Construction: Expertise in high-quality garment construction and finishing, including linking, cup seaming, point-to-point assembly, and various hand-finishing methods.
Technical Interpretation: Strong ability to accurately read and interpret design sketches, technical packs, and measurement charts.
Yarn Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of different yarn types, fiber properties, counts, and their behavior during and after the knitting process.
Pattern Making: Solid understanding of pattern making, shaping, and grading principles specifically for knitwear.
Machine Maintenance: Foundational skills in basic knitting machine maintenance, troubleshooting, and needle replacement.
Software Skills: Competency in relevant design software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for viewing and interpreting design files.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: An exceptional eye for detail and precision, with a commitment to achieving the highest quality standards.
Problem-Solving: Creative and analytical problem-solving skills to overcome the technical challenges of translating a 2D design into a 3D garment.
Time Management: Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight, competing deadlines.
Collaboration: A strong collaborative spirit and clear communication skills to work effectively with design, technical, and production teams.
Adaptability: A proactive, flexible, and adaptable mindset, with a genuine passion for learning new techniques and technologies.
Patience & Persistence: The ability to work patiently through trial and error, demonstrating persistence to achieve the perfect result.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by significant, demonstrable experience. A certificate in Fashion, Textiles, or a related technical field is a strong asset.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in Textile Design, Fashion Design (with a knitwear specialization), or Textile Engineering Technology.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Textile Science
Fashion Design
Apparel Manufacturing & Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of direct, hands-on experience in a knitwear development studio, sample room, or production facility. A strong portfolio showcasing a variety of knitted samples and finished garments is essential.

Preferred:

Prior experience working within a luxury or contemporary fashion brand.
Demonstrable experience with a wide range of gauges, from fine to chunky knits.
A portfolio that includes complex techniques such as multi-color intarsia, complex jacquards, and innovative stitch development.