The sustainable fashion movement is rapidly gaining traction, and knitwear is playing a role in this shift. Whether it's cozy sweaters or elegant cardigans, knitwear offers designers the chance to create timeless, eco-friendly pieces. Today, we dive into the world of sustainable knitwear design, inspired by insights from Kate Knight, a freelance knitwear designer, who shared her expertise on a recent episode of the Make Good Fashion podcast.
The Importance of Sustainable Knitwear
Knitwear is naturally suited to sustainable fashion due to the materials commonly used—such as wool, cashmere, and organic cotton—that are renewable and biodegradable. The increasing use of recycled yarns and sustainable fiber certifications further underscores the industry’s move towards eco-friendly production. As knitwear collections for autumn and winter remain in high demand, it’s essential to understand how to create collections that minimize environmental impact while maintaining quality and style.
Kate Knight’s Journey in Knitwear Design
Kate Knight, an accomplished freelance knitwear designer, started her career in academia before transitioning to the fashion industry. She has worked with major brands like Nordstrom and Ralph Lauren, lending her expertise to both luxury and mass-market knitwear lines. Now, as a freelancer, she helps emerging brands and startups develop unique knitwear collections, guiding them through the process from concept to finished garment.
Her background allows her to approach design with both creativity and technical expertise. For aspiring designers, her journey offers a valuable lesson in the flexibility of fashion careers and the importance of pursuing work that aligns with personal values—such as sustainability.
Understanding Knitwear Design: A Breakdown
In her conversation on the podcast, Kate explained some key terms in knitwear design that are often misunderstood. For instance, she highlighted the difference between jersey knit fabrics—typically used for lightweight garments—and fully fashioned sweater knits, where pieces are knitted into their final shapes rather than cut from larger fabric panels. This technique not only reduces waste but also creates garments with better fit and durability.
The Freelance Process: Turning Ideas Into Reality
As a freelance knitwear designer, Kate enjoys the freedom to work on a wide range of projects. Her process involves collaborating closely with her clients, who may come to her with rough sketches or ideas that she then develops into detailed designs. Kate creates tech packs—technical specifications that guide manufacturers in producing the garments.
For those just starting out, she recommends working with a professional designer to ensure that your knitwear concepts are both visually appealing and technically feasible.
Choosing Sustainable Yarns: What to Look For
Sustainability starts with material selection. Kate stresses the importance of choosing high-quality, long-fiber yarns, which are less likely to pill and extend the life of the garment. She advocates for sourcing certified sustainable materials, such as RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) certified wool, which ensures that the wool comes from farms with responsible land management and animal welfare practices.
For new designers, Kate recommends creating swatches—small knitted samples—to test the yarn before going into full production. This not only helps ensure the fabric performs as expected but also minimizes waste during the sampling process.
Manufacturing Sustainable Knitwear
Knitwear manufacturing differs from other garment types because it often involves shaping garments on knitting machines rather than cutting from a large sheet of fabric. Kate explained how fully fashioned knitwear—where individual parts of a garment, like sleeves and the body, are knitted into shape—minimizes waste.
Understanding the specific needs of knitwear manufacturing, such as selecting the correct gauge (the number of stitches per inch), is critical. Kate recommends that designers work closely with their manufacturers to ensure that the chosen gauge aligns with the design’s aesthetic and functional goals.
Standing Out in the Competitive Knitwear Market
Knitwear is a highly competitive segment of the fashion industry, especially in the sustainable space. Kate advises new designers not to focus solely on basics but to create standout pieces that reflect their unique vision. By offering something distinct, emerging brands can carve out a niche and appeal to eco-conscious consumers who are looking for both style and sustainability.
Finding the Right Manufacturing Partner
Finding the right factory is a crucial step in developing a knitwear collection. Kate shared her tips on how to source manufacturers, from using platforms like Alibaba and LinkedIn to developing personal relationships with factory owners or working directly with her to access a vetted list of knitwear manufacturers. She stressed the importance of certifications—such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or RWS—as well as physically visiting the factory when possible to ensure that it adheres to ethical and sustainable standards.
The Role of Certifications in Sustainability
Kate also discussed the importance of sourcing materials with proper certifications. For example, RWS-certified wool ensures that wool is sourced from farms that follow best practices in land management and animal welfare. Other certifications, such as OEKO-TEX and GOTS, guarantee that textiles are free from harmful chemicals and are produced in environmentally friendly ways.
Kate’s preference for natural fibers, such as wool and organic cotton, stems from their lower environmental impact compared to synthetic fibers like recycled polyester. While recycled synthetics offer some sustainability benefits, natural fibers tend to be more biodegradable and have a smaller overall carbon footprint.
Conclusion: Building a Sustainable Knitwear Collection
Creating a sustainable knitwear collection requires thoughtful planning—from selecting eco-friendly yarns to partnering with the right manufacturers. Kate Knight’s insights provide valuable guidance for designers who are looking to build sustainable, standout collections in an increasingly competitive market. Learn more about working with Kate - visit: www.thecashmeredesigner.com
If you're ready to take the next step in building your purpose-driven fashion brand, join the Make Good Fashion Academy, a digital course that teaches a clear step-by-step blueprint for building your fashion brand from the ground up with expert guidance from industry experts like Kate! Visit makegoodfashion.com/academy for more information.
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