Alright, let’s cut the fluff.
You’re here because you’ve got a brand—maybe it’s just you and a sketchbook, maybe you’ve already sold a few hundred units on Shopify or at a pop-up—and now you’re staring down the barrel of scaling your knitwear line. And you’re not just looking for any factory. You’re looking for one that won’t ghost you after sample #3, one that actually gets your vision, and one that doesn’t charge like it’s 2012 and you’re Beyoncé’s stylist.
I’ve been in this game for 14 years. I’ve walked factory floors in Guangdong at 6 a.m. after sleeping in a guest room with a broken AC. I’ve held up fabric under fluorescent lights in Dhaka, squinting at stitch tension like my bonus depended on it (it did). I’ve seen brands blow $80K on a run of sweaters that pilled after two wears because they trusted a “premium Italian manufacturer” who outsourced to a third-tier subcontractor in Romania.
So yeah, I know what it feels like to be you right now.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably a startup founder, a boutique brand owner, or a sourcing manager for a small-to-midsize label trying to break out. You don’t have a $2M launch budget. You need someone who’ll work with lower MOQs, give you honest feedback, and not treat you like a number. You care about quality, but you also care about not going broke. And you want best knitwear shirts—not just in look, but in fit, durability, and wearability.
That’s what this guide is for.
Not the glossy, over-curated lists you see on “Top 10” sites that read like paid ads. This is field notes. Real talk. The kind of thing I’d scribble in a notebook after a factory visit, then send to a friend launching their first capsule.
We’re going deep on seven knitwear manufacturers across the globe—Italy, Bangladesh, China, Peru, New Zealand, UK, England. I’ve worked with most of them directly or through partners. Some are luxury-tier. Some are volume beasts. Some are niche specialists. All have strengths. All have trade-offs.
And by the end, you’ll know not just who to consider—but why, when, and what questions to ask before signing anything.
Let’s go.
Gianangeli Knitwear Factory – The “Made in Italy” Dream (And the Price That Comes With It)
Look, if you’re building a brand that wants to sit on the same shelf as Brunello Cucinelli or Loro Piana, Gianangeli Knitwear Factory in Perugia, Italy is the kind of name that opens doors.
Established in 1944. Family-run. They’ve got archives of stitch patterns older than your parents. I saw one from 1957—cable knit with a double helix twist—that they still use for private clients. These guys aren’t just making sweaters; they’re preserving textile history.
Their main output? Men’s and women’s knitwear. Think chunky turtlenecks, fine-gauge cardigans, shawl-collar pullovers—all with that unmistakable Italian drape. The kind of pieces that feel expensive the second you put them on.
But here’s the reality check: this isn’t for startups.
MOQs start at 300 units per style. Lead time? 14–16 weeks if you’re lucky. And the pricing? Let’s just say if you’re not retailing your knitwear shirts for $250+, you’re not going to make margin.
I worked with a brand last year—solid design, good Instagram following—who tried to go direct with Gianangeli. They got the samples back, loved them, then saw the quote: $48/unit FOB for a merino blend crewneck. They had to pivot to a Turkish supplier just to stay alive.
So who’s Gianangeli for?
Luxury brands with deep pockets. Heritage labels. Designers who want that “Italian craftsmanship” stamp and are willing to pay for it.
But don’t expect flexibility. They don’t do rush orders. They don’t do sub-300 runs. And if you want a custom color, be ready to pay for a full dye lot—even if you only need 50 pieces.
If you’re serious about working with them, go in knowing this: you’re not just buying a product. You’re buying a legacy. And that comes with rules.
M.M. Knitwear Ltd. – The Fast Fashion Machine (And Why It Works for Some)
Now let’s flip the script.
You’re not trying to be on Net-a-Porter. You’re trying to launch a 500-unit drop on Instagram, sell out in 48 hours, and reinvest in the next one. You need speed. You need low MOQs. You need someone who can turn around samples in two weeks.
Enter M.M. Knitwear Ltd. in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Established in 2001, they’ve built a reputation as a go-to for fast fashion brands and e-commerce labels. I’ve audited their facility twice—once for a client, once just to see how they do it. What I saw? Impeccable organization. 300+ machines. A dedicated sample room with 12 designers on staff.
They specialize in pants and tops—especially jersey-based knit shirts, cropped tees, and relaxed cardigans. Their strength? Speed and scalability. Need 2,000 units in 6 weeks? They can do it. Want to test three colorways with MOQs of 150 each? They’ll make it work.
But—and this is a big but—they’re not for everyone.
Their craftsmanship is solid, but it’s not artisan. If you’re chasing that hand-finished look, this isn’t it. And while they claim sustainability, it’s mostly compliance-driven (BSCI, SEDEX), not innovation-led. I’ve seen their recycled cotton blends—fine for basics, but don’t expect the same hand feel as organic Pima.
Still, for the right brand, they’re gold.
We had a client—a fitness influencer launching her activewear line—who needed 800 units of a cropped knit shirt for a pre-launch event. She went with M.M. They delivered in 22 days, with full branding and packaging. The fabric was a 95/5 cotton-spandex blend—nothing fancy, but it held up.
If you’re building a brand that moves fast and values consistency over couture, M.M. is worth a look. Just don’t expect poetry in the stitching.
Fexwear – The Full-Service Partner for Emerging Brands
Alright, let’s talk about Fexwear.
I’m not going to pretend I’m neutral here. I’ve worked with them for five years. Not as an employee. As a consultant for brands that needed a reliable partner for small runs, custom development, and fast turnarounds.
Fexwear isn’t the biggest. They’re not the oldest. But they’re the one I recommend most often to startup founders and indie designers who are just getting their feet under them.
Why?
Because they get it.
They’ve got a self-owned factory in Guangdong, yes—but more importantly, they’ve built a system that works for small players. MOQs as low as 50 units. Samples in 10–14 days. Free design support. And—this is rare—a real human on the other end of the chat 24/7.
I remember one brand—a unisex knitwear line out of Portland—came to me stressed. Their previous manufacturer in Vietnam had delayed three times, and they missed holiday sales. I connected them with Fexwear. They did a full re-launch in 8 weeks: fabric sourcing, tech packs, samples, production, shipping. All under $18K.
And the best knitwear shirts they produced? Crisp, clean collars, perfect tension on the cuffs, and a fit that didn’t bag out after two washes.
Fexwear handles everything: fabric sourcing (they’ve got a killer guide on sustainable fabric recommendations for sportswear that I actually use), pattern making, cutting, sewing, QC, and even logistics.
They’re not just a factory. They’re a partner.
Look, if you’re trying to do everything yourself—sourcing, sampling, production—you’re going to burn out.
Fexwear’s whole thing is to take that load off. And they do it without the attitude.
Want to tweak a sleeve length after the first sample? No problem. Need help choosing between two fabric weights? Their team will send swatches and wear-test data.
They’re not flashy. But they’re solid. And in this business, solid wins.
If you’re serious, just reach out to their team —they’ll walk you through it.
Harkened Knitwear – Where Handcraft Meets Scale (But Not Speed)
Now, let’s talk about Harkened Knitwear in Lima, Peru.
These guys are different.
Founded in 2015, they’ve built a model that blends artisan craftsmanship with semi-industrial scale. They work with local cooperatives of knitters—mostly women—who hand-knit pieces using traditional techniques, then finish them in a central facility for quality control and branding.
Their stuff? Gorgeous. Think chunky alpaca cardigans, hand-cabled beanies, open-knit shawls. The kind of pieces that get “Where’d you get that?!” comments in coffee shops.
And yes, they’re ethical. Fair wages. Organic dyes. Traceable wool from small farms in the Andes.
But here’s the catch: you can’t rush this.
A single hand-knit sweater takes 8–12 hours to complete. Even with 200+ knitters in their network, they can’t scale like a factory. MOQs are high—500+ units per style—and lead times? 16–20 weeks.
I had a brand last year want to launch a Peruvian-inspired knit line for winter. They came to me excited about Harkened. I said: “Great, but you need to place the order now for a November launch.” They waited. Missed the season.
So who’s Harkened for?
Brands that value story, sustainability, and authenticity over speed. Think Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, or any label that wants to tell a “crafted with care” narrative.
But don’t expect T-shirt turnaround. This is slow fashion, not as a marketing term—but as a reality.
Otago Knitwear – The Merino Masters (And the Cost That Comes With It)
Otago Knitwear in Dunedin, New Zealand? These guys are the merino whisperers.
Since 1999, they’ve specialized in fine-gauge merino and merino-possum blends. The possum fiber? It’s hollow, which adds warmth without weight. And it’s sustainable—possums are invasive in NZ, so harvesting the fiber helps control the population.
Their strength? Customization and quality. They’ve got advanced knitting machines that can do crazy stitch patterns—jacquard, intarsia, even 3D texturing. And they work with retailers, designers, and schools on bulk orders.
But again: premium materials = premium prices.
A basic merino crewneck from Otago? $55–65 FOB. And MOQs start at 250 units.
Are the clothes worth it? Absolutely. I’ve worn one of their merino blends for three years—still no pilling, still holds its shape.
But if you’re building a brand at a $99 price point, this isn’t your play.
They’re best for premium labels, uniform suppliers, or eco-conscious brands that want to charge more for better materials.
Just know: you’re paying for quality, not convenience.
Galaxy Knitwear – The UK’s Speed King (But Not for Custom Work)
Galaxy Knitwear in Leicester, UK—founded in 1994—has reinvented itself from a men’s knitwear shop into a fast-turnaround, tech-driven producer.
They’re Sedex and Fast Forward certified, which matters if you’re selling into EU or UK retailers.
Their thing? Speed and reliability. They can do 5,000 units in 6 weeks. Their QC is tight—every piece inspected mid-line and post-production.
But they’re not for custom work. Want a unique stitch or a one-off color? Good luck. They’re built for consistency, not creativity.
Best for high street brands, online retailers, or private label lines that need volume and speed.
Paul James Knitwear – The Natural Fiber Purists (And the Limits of In-House)
Paul James Knitwear—since 1976—lives and breathes natural fibers.
100% wool, cotton, alpaca. No synthetics. Over 95% of production in-house.
Their stuff is beautiful. Timeless. Ethical.
But they can’t scale. No synthetic blends. No overseas subcontracting.
If you want sustainability and mass market, look elsewhere.
Wrap-Up
Man, I’m tired. It’s 11 PM. Just finished reviewing a QC report from a new supplier in Vietnam. Three units failed stretch recovery. Again.
Anyway—hope this helps. Go make something real.
FAQs
Q: Can I get a sample before committing?
A: Always. Any factory that won’t send a sample is a red flag. We saw this with 3 suppliers last year—no samples, all had quality issues later.
Q: How do I know if the fabric will pill?
A: Ask for a Martindale test result. Anything under 20,000 rubs is risky. We had a client lose $18K on a run that started pilling in week two.
Q: What’s the lowest MOQ you’ve seen for decent quality?
A: 50 units. Fexwear does it regularly. But you’ll pay a bit more per unit.
Q: Should I visit the factory?
A: If you can, yes. I’ve caught issues on-site that never showed up in reports.
Q: How long should samples take?
A: 10–14 days max. If they say “3 weeks,” they’re not prioritizing you.
Q: What’s the one thing most brands mess up?
A: Not testing fabric in real conditions. We had a client use a “breathable” knit that turned clammy after 10 minutes. Huge returns.
Call to Discussion
So—what’s your biggest headache with knitwear production? MOQs? Quality? Communication?
Hit reply. Let’s talk. I’ve been there.