Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Knitting Drafter

💰 $65,000 - $95,000

DesignApparel & FashionManufacturingTextiles

🎯 Role Definition

As a Knitting Drafter, you are the technical architect of our knitwear collection. You will be instrumental in transforming a designer's sketch into a beautifully crafted, commercially viable garment. This position requires a unique blend of creative interpretation, technical expertise, and problem-solving prowess. You will collaborate extensively with designers, product developers, and factory partners to engineer knit structures, program knitting machines, and ensure the highest standards of quality, fit, and construction from the initial swatch to bulk production. Your work directly impacts the innovation, quality, and success of our knitwear category.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Assistant Technical Designer (Knitwear)
  • Textile Design Graduate (with a focus on knitting)
  • Knitwear Swatch Developer

Advancement To:

  • Senior Knitting Drafter / Senior Knitwear Technical Designer
  • Knitwear Development Manager
  • Textile R&D Specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • Product Developer (Knitwear)
  • Knitwear Designer
  • 3D Knitwear Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Translate creative design concepts, sketches, and inspiration into detailed, production-ready technical packages for fully-fashioned, integral, and cut-and-sew knitwear.
  • Develop and engineer complex knit structures, stitch layouts, jacquard patterns, and intarsia designs using specialized software such as Shima Seiki SDS-ONE APEX or Stoll M1+.
  • Create, test, and debug precise knitting machine programs, including yarn carrier setups, needle layouts, tension settings, and machine instructions to ensure efficient and high-quality production.
  • Collaborate closely with knitwear designers during the conceptual phase to provide technical expertise on yarn capabilities, stitch possibilities, and construction methods to ensure design intent is achievable.
  • Generate detailed yarn layouts, colorway specifications (Knitdowns), and comprehensive Bill of Materials (BOMs) for each style.
  • Manage the entire proto and sample development lifecycle, from initial concept to final approved sample, meticulously tracking progress and proactively resolving technical issues with factory partners.
  • Lead and conduct thorough fit sessions on live models or dress forms, analyzing garment balance, drape, and fit to provide clear, concise, and actionable comments for factory revisions.
  • Create, update, and maintain highly detailed technical specification sheets, including graded measurements, garment construction details, and specific finishing instructions.
  • Serve as the primary technical point of contact, communicating daily with overseas and domestic factories and vendors to address technical questions, provide clarification on specs, and troubleshoot production challenges.
  • Review and provide written approval or rejection for lab dips, yarn quality submissions, and knit-down strike-offs to ensure they meet brand color and quality standards.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive digital and physical library of stitch qualities, knit-down swatches, and approved yarn standards for future reference and development.
  • Perform detailed technical risk assessments on new designs to identify potential production, cost, or quality issues early in the development cycle.
  • Calculate yarn consumption and yield estimates to support accurate costing and raw material purchasing decisions.
  • Establish, document, and enforce quality control standards for all knitwear products, ensuring consistency across the supply chain from SMS to TOP samples.
  • Create and perfect technical grading rules for all sizes, ensuring proportional scaling and a consistent fit experience across the full-size range.
  • Partner with the Production team to ensure a seamless technical handoff from the development stage to bulk production, resolving any pre-production issues.
  • Stay current with the latest knitting technologies, machinery advancements, 3D knitting software, and innovative yarn developments to drive product innovation and efficiency.
    NAVIGATE-TO-MANAGE and organize all technical files, fit photos, sample comments, and development records within the company's Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.
  • Create clear, precise, and easily understandable technical sketches and construction diagrams using Adobe Illustrator to visually supplement technical packages.
  • Troubleshoot knitting machine programming errors and provide remote technical support to factory partners to optimize production efficiency and reduce errors.
  • Analyze and interpret 3D virtual prototypes to refine fit, shape, and design details before physical sampling, contributing to reduced waste and shorter lead times.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the material sourcing team by providing technical feedback on new yarn qualities and supplier capabilities.
  • Contribute to the creation产品 of seasonal "lessons learned" documents to improve processes for future collections.
  • Collaborate with the Merchandising team to ensure target costs are achievable through smart engineering and construction choices.
  • Participate in post-season product reviews to analyze any quality or return issues related to technical design or construction.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Knit Programming Software: High-level proficiency in either Shima Seiki (SDS-ONE APEX) or Stoll (M1+) programming software is essential.
  • Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level skills in Adobe Illustrator for creating detailed technical flats and construction diagrams.
  • Product Lifecycle Management (PLM): Hands-on experience using PLM systems (e.g., Centric, FlexPLM) for spec and BOM management.
  • Knitwear Construction: Deep understanding of fully-fashioned, intarsia, jacquard, integral, and cut-and-sew knitwear construction techniques.
  • Yarn & Gauge Expertise: In-depth knowledge of yarn properties (fiber content, twist, ply), gauges, and their direct impact on fabric hand-feel, drape, and performance.
  • Pattern & Grading: Strong pattern-making and grading skills specifically tailored to the behavior of knit fabrics.
  • Technical Specification: Proven ability to create and manage detailed, accurate, and easy-to-understand tech packs.
  • Fit Analysis: Expertise in identifying and solving fit issues, with a strong understanding of garment balance, drape, and the human form.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in MS Excel for creating and managing BOMs, measurement charts, and cost sheets.
  • 3D Design Software: Experience with or a strong aptitude to learn 3D design software like CLO3D or Browzwear is a significant advantage.
  • Color & Print Knowledge: Ability to accurately evaluate lab dips and strike-offs for color, registration, and quality.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in all aspects of work, from programming to spec-writing.
  • Problem-Solving Mindset: Ability to anticipate issues and creatively troubleshoot technical challenges under pressure.
  • Clear Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external vendors.
  • Organizational Prowess: Strong ability to manage multiple projects and seasons simultaneously, adhering to tight deadlines.
  • Collaborative Spirit: A team player who thrives in a cross-functional environment and values shared success.
  • Adaptability: Flexible and able to pivot quickly in a fast-paced, trend-driven industry.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent vocational certification in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s or Master's Degree in Textile Technology, Fashion Design (with a Knitwear specialization), or Apparel Engineering.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Textile Science / Textile Engineering
  • Fashion Design / Apparel Design
  • Technical Design

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of direct experience in knitwear technical design, knit programming, or a closely related role within the apparel industry.

Preferred: Experience working directly with a variety of knitting machine types and a proven track record of managing the knitwear development process from concept to production.

Explore More Careers