Discover how selecting the right knit fabric impacts comfort, durability, and design. Learn how Deepwear’s global network supports brands with expert sourcing and manufacturing services.
Choosing the right knit fabric is fundamental to creating garments that deliver on wearability, fit, durability, and brand identity. A well-selected knit supports how a piece drapes, performs, and resonates with consumers, while a poor choice can compromise the entire garment experience. A well-selected knit supports how a piece drapes, performs, and resonates with consumers, while a poor choice can compromise the entire garment experience.
In this blog we cover:
- Key types of knit fabrics and their common uses
- How to match fabric type to garment function
- The importance of fabric performance factors like stretch, weight, and breathability
- How Deepwear supports sourcing from trusted manufacturers worldwide
- Regional strengths in knit production across Portugal, India, Turkey, China, and Thailand
- Deepwear’s key services for knit fabric development and production
Market Overview
The global knitted fabric market continues to grow robustly, reflecting rising consumer demand for comfort, flexibility, and innovative textile solutions. According to the IMARC Group’s 2024 knitted fabric market report, the market size reached USD 32.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% through 2033, reaching nearly USD 49.1 billion. This growth is driven by expanding applications in fashion, sportswear, healthcare, home furnishings, and even automotive industries.
Key factors fueling this expansion include the increasing popularity of athleisure and casualwear, a rising focus on sustainability with the adoption of organic and recycled fibers, and technological advances like smart textiles offering moisture management and temperature regulation. The versatility and comfort of knitted fabrics make them the preferred choice across diverse sectors, while ongoing innovations continue to open new market opportunities.
What Is the Best Knit Fabric for Fashion Brands in 2025?
There is no single “best” knit fabric for every brand. The ideal choice depends on garment function, season, target market, and design vision.
For instance:
- Single jersey and rib knit are great for everyday basics.
- Fleece and thermal knit perform best in cold-weather collections.
- Spandex blends and mesh knits are ideal for performance knit fabrics in activewear.
- Tricot, raschel, and velour bring softness and drape to luxury or lingerie lines.
At Deepwear, our team helps you match your creative and functional goals to the perfect fabric—whether you’re scaling up a bestseller or developing an experimental capsule. As your apparel manufacturing consultant, we support everything from yarn selection to prototype testing and supply chain alignment.To help you get started, here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used knit fabrics, categorized by their typical applications. From everyday basics to activewear-ready materials, thermal knits, and luxury options, each fabric type has distinct characteristics that influence comfort, structure, and style. Use this guide to better understand how these knit fabrics function—and how they can work for your next collection.
Everyday Essentials
These knits are the backbone of casualwear and everyday basics, chosen for comfort, stretch, and wearability.
- Single Jersey: Soft, lightweight, and cost-effective. Commonly used for basic tees, tops, and underlayers.
- Rib Knit: Characterized by vertical ribs that allow excellent stretch and shape retention. Ideal for cuffs, necklines, and fitted garments.
- Interlock Knit: Double-layered structure for more stability and opacity. Often used in babywear, premium tees, and leggings.
- Purl Knit: Textured on both sides with good elasticity. Suitable for reversible garments and items requiring volume or drape.
Decorative & Structural Knits
These knits are often used to add interest and elevate garment construction with dimensional patterns and visual appeal.
- Jacquard Knit: Features complex woven-in designs without printing. Great for sweaters, jackets, and statement pieces.
- Cable Knit: Iconic for its raised braid-like texture. Popular in heritage-style sweaters and premium knitwear.
- Pointelle: Delicate, lacy patterns with openwork designs. Often found in women’s tops, cardigans, and sleepwear.
- Double Jersey: A denser version of jersey offering a smoother finish and minimal curling. Used in structured garments like dresses and blazers.
Cozy & Thermal Options
These fabrics focus on warmth, breathability, and tactile comfort, making them essential for cooler climates and loungewear.
- Fleece Knit: Brushed for softness and insulation. Commonly used in hoodies, sweatpants, and outerwear.
- French Terry: Loopback construction offers warmth without bulk. A go-to for sweatshirts, joggers, and transitional layering.
- Thermal (Waffle) Knit: Grid-like texture traps heat efficiently. Frequently seen in thermal underwear and winter base layers.
- Sweater Knit: Heavier weight and bulkier texture. Covers a range of styles from chunky to fine gauge, ideal for sweaters and cardigans.
- Hacci Knit: A loose, drapey knit with a sweater-like feel. Used for flowy tops, cardigans, and casual layering pieces.
Activewear-Ready Fabrics
Designed to move with the body, these performance-driven knits balance flexibility, ventilation, and durability.
- Mesh Knit: Open, breathable structure for airflow. Used in athletic inserts, tanks, and performance panels.
- Spandex/Elastane Knit: High-stretch blends that offer excellent shape retention. Ideal for leggings, bodysuits, and compression garments.
- Burnout Knit: Features semi-transparent motifs through chemical processing. Popular in stylish sportswear and streetwear.
Lingerie & Luxe
Softness and drape take center stage in these specialty knits, often chosen for their tactile appeal and fluid movement.
- Tricot Knit: Smooth, lightweight knit commonly used in lingerie, linings, and delicate dresses.
- Raschel Knit: Open and net-like, with higher dimensionality. Suitable for shaping garments, shapewear, and decorative layering.
- Velour Knit: Plush and rich, with a velvet-like surface. Seen in tracksuits, loungewear, and retro-inspired pieces.
Why the Right Knit Matters
When selecting knit fabrics, it’s important to consider key performance factors that impact the garment’s overall function and wearer experience:
- Weight and GSM: Ensures appropriate drape and function for the silhouette.
- Stretch and recovery: Critical for body-hugging garments and sportswear.
- Shrinkage behavior: Reduces production risk and returns.
- Breathability and opacity: Important for layering pieces, activewear, and warm-weather collections.
How Deepwear Helps You Source the Right Knit
Finding the right manufacturer who meets your brand’s standards for quality, cost, and compliance is equally critical to selecting the right knit fabric. At Deepwear, we connect brands to over 3,000 trusted manufacturers, suppliers, and artisans across 17 countries, providing seamless support from concept to shipment.
Our global presence allows us to oversee sourcing and production closely, as if you were there in person. While we encourage brand visits to sourcing regions, our experienced local teams ensure transparency, quality control, and timely communication when you cannot be on-site.
Full Sourcing Services
We offer a full suite of key knit sourcing services tailored to your brand’s unique needs:
- Fabric Selection & Advisory Support: Expert recommendations based on aesthetic, weight, stretch, and performance to align with your design intent.
- Prototype Sampling & Small-Batch Development: We can provide flexible sampling options to test knit behavior, fit, wash, and drape before scaling production.
- MOQ Flexibility: Aside from established brands, we can also offer support for emerging and mid-sized brands scaling from initial orders (100–1,000 units) to full production runs.
- Quality Control & On-Ground Management: We can do rigorous fabric inspections and in-process checks, combined with intellectual property protection by local teams.
- Sustainable Fabric Options: We can offer guidance and sourcing for eco-friendly materials such as Merino wool blends, recycled spandex, and low-impact synthetics, with verified suppliers.
- Artisanal & Industrial Hybrid Production: We have access to handmade crochet and knit craftsmanship from Thailand, Morocco, and India, integrated with factory-grade consistency for scalable collections.
- Brand Storytelling & Margin Optimization: We can incorporate artisanal details to elevate brand value while maintaining efficient, scalable production.
- Regional Knit Sourcing Expertise
Portugal
- Renowned for high-end sweater knits such as cable, jacquard, waffle, and hacci
- Perfect for premium knitwear collections, combining craftsmanship with EU manufacturing standards
- Local Deepwear office provides faster turnaround, direct factory liaison, and quality assurance
- Ideal for brands seeking heritage production or European-made storytelling
India & Turkey
- Specialists in jersey, rib, burnout, and mesh fabrics across pricing tiers
- Strong domestic supply of cotton and regenerated yarns
- Flexible minimum order quantities support startups, trend capsules, and mid-tier collections
- Especially suited for casualwear, promotional drops, and streetwear
China & Thailand
- Scalable production of fleece, velour, interlock, and elastane-heavy blends
- Activewear-focused sourcing with technical capabilities for leggings, performancewear, and base layers
- Thailand: Deepwear’s partner flat-knit factory has 24+ years of expertise in polos, uniforms, and school sweaters
- Local QC teams manage communication, sampling, and compliance
Specialized Services Upon Request
Deepwear’s integrated sourcing approach means you’re not just picking a supplier. You’re selecting from a range of verified partners that have already been tested for:
- Fabric matching by function, feel, and purpose
- Yarn sourcing advice for composition, weight, and durability
- Sample development and prototyping support
- Small-batch production for test launches
- MOQ flexibility based on your business stage
- Full tech pack coordination and pattern-making on request
- In-person or virtual factory tours upon arrangement
If you’re exploring natural-performance knits, read our take on Merino Wool here. For recycled and bio-based options, visit our Introduction to Sustainable Fabrics blog.
Our teams work closely with you to interpret trend direction, understand technical requirements, and match it with reliable manufacturing sources. We also offer consulting services for long-term production strategies, margin protection, and supply chain optimization. Deepwear’s goal is to act as your boots on the ground—while giving you a strategic birds-eye view of what’s possible, what’s practical, and what’s next.
Conclusion
A deep understanding of knit types and their performance characteristics empowers designers to create better-fitting, longer-lasting products that truly resonate with consumers.
With Deepwear’s expertise and extensive global network, finding the perfect knit fabric and reliable manufacturers becomes seamless. Whether you’re developing casual basics, cozy loungewear, or high-performance apparel, partnering with Deepwear ensures access to quality materials, flexibility in production, and expert guidance at every stage—from concept to shipment.
Ready to elevate your knitwear line? Book a free strategy call with Deepwear’s sourcing experts or explore our full range of knit fabric and manufacturing services here.