Questions to ask knitwear manufacturers

MOQ and yarn

• What is your minimum order quantity per style and per colour? — Knitwear MOQs are often driven by yarn minimums. Listen for whether the number is per style, per colour, or per yarn lot. Small runs may still be possible if the factory has stock yarn.
• Do you source yarn, and what are typical yarn lead times? — Yarn lead times (especially for cashmere, recycled, or custom colours) can add 6–12 weeks. Ask who sources yarn and whether you can supply your own to shorten the timeline.
• What yarns do you regularly work with (e.g. cotton, wool, cashmere, blends)? — Factories specialize; some focus on cotton jersey, others on wool or cashmere. Match your product to their strength to avoid quality or MOQ surprises.
• Can you do small development or sample runs before bulk? — Sample runs (e.g. 20–50 pieces) help confirm gauge and fit. Ask minimum for sampling and whether the same factory can scale to bulk.

Lead times and capacity

• What is your typical lead time from order confirmation to delivery? — Knitwear often runs 10–20 weeks including yarn. Get a breakdown: yarn order, knitting, linking/trimming, finishing, and packing.
• How do you handle grading across sizes? — Ask if they grade in-house and whether you need to provide grade rules. Consistency across sizes is critical for knitwear.
• What is your capacity during peak season (e.g. autumn delivery)? — Knitwear peaks in summer for autumn delivery. Ask when they need confirmation to secure capacity and whether they cap orders.

Quality and compliance

• What quality checks do you do (e.g. weight, measurements, linking)? — Listen for weight tolerance, measurement checks, and linking quality. Poor linking is a common knitwear defect.
• Do you offer GOTS, RWS, or other certified yarn options? — If you need certified organic or responsible wool, ask what certs they can support and whether they have existing yarn suppliers with documentation.
• What is your policy on seconds or off-spec goods? — Clarify how they handle pieces that don’t meet spec (discount, remake, or reject) and who bears the cost.

Frequently asked questions