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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Knitwear Apprentice

💰 $ - $

Fashion DesignApparel & TextilesManufacturingCreative Arts

🎯 Role Definition

The Knitwear Apprentice is a foundational role for anyone passionate about building a career in the specialized and technical world of knitwear. This position is a unique blend of creative support and technical learning, acting as the right hand to the knitwear design and development team. More than just an assistant, the apprentice is the engine that helps keep the intricate process of knitwear creation moving forward. You'll be immersed in every stage of the garment's life, from the initial spark of an idea and the selection of the perfect yarn to the technical specifications sent to the factory and the final, beautiful sample. This is a hands-on learning opportunity designed to cultivate a deep understanding of the craft, preparing you to become a future expert in the field.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Fashion Design or Textile Program Graduate
  • Retail Associate with a strong interest in apparel construction
  • Seamstress or Tailor looking to specialize in knits
  • Creative individual with a strong personal knitting/crafting portfolio

Advancement To:

  • Junior Knitwear Designer
  • Knitwear Technical Designer
  • Product Developer (Knitwear Specialist)
  • Yarn Sourcing Specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • CAD Designer (Knitwear Focus)
  • Textile Buyer or Developer
  • Trend & Concept Researcher

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Provide crucial support to the senior design team in the conceptualization and development of seasonal knitwear collections, from initial mood boards to final samples.
  • Take ownership of managing and meticulously organizing the yarn and trim library, ensuring all materials are cataloged, updated, and readily accessible for design projects.
  • Learn to create and diligently update detailed technical packs (tech packs) for knitwear garments, including precise specifications, stitch diagrams, and construction details for our factory partners.
  • Assist in researching and identifying key knitwear trends, stitches, and silhouettes each season, contributing your findings to design meetings.
  • Translate the design team's initial sketches into clean, accurate digital flats using Adobe Illustrator, forming the foundation of the tech pack.
  • Prepare and dispatch sample requests, lab dip submissions, and knit-down developments to a global network of mills and suppliers.
  • Actively track the progress of all development samples, communicating status updates and potential delays to the team to ensure deadlines are met.
  • Participate in fittings and sample reviews, taking precise notes on fit adjustments, quality feedback, and construction comments to relay to factories.
  • Serve as a daily point of contact for overseas vendors, assisting with the communication of design and development queries in a clear and professional manner.
  • Immerse yourself in the technical side by learning to operate in-house knitting equipment to create experimental swatches and test new yarn or stitch ideas.
  • Develop an encyclopedic knowledge of past seasons by organizing and archiving the library of development samples, stitch trials, and yarn qualities.
  • Assist in selecting appropriate yarn qualities, gauges, and colors that align with the season's creative direction and cost targets.
  • Support the team in preparing for major presentations and showroom setups, ensuring all knitwear samples are flawlessly steamed, tagged, and displayed.
  • Gain experience in the costing process by assisting with the creation of Bill of Materials (BOMs), ensuring accurate yarn consumption and trim details.
  • Collaborate with the technical design team to understand how design choices impact garment fit, construction, and mass production.

Secondary Functions

  • Conduct regular competitive shopping and online research to analyze the knitwear market, identifying new techniques, pricing strategies, and emerging trends.
  • Help maintain the design studio's organization and creative atmosphere, ensuring a clean and efficient workspace for the entire team.
  • Support the marketing and e-commerce teams by organizing samples for photo shoots, assisting on set, and ensuring garments are properly represented.
  • Assist in creating visual line sheets, product knowledge packets, and other sales tools that clearly communicate the features of the knitwear collection.
  • Undertake essential administrative duties for the design department, such as preparing packages for shipment, coding invoices, and ordering supplies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Adobe Creative Suite: A strong command of Adobe Illustrator for creating technical flats and Photoshop for mood boards and presentations.
  • Knitwear Fundamentals: A foundational understanding of knitwear construction, including different stitch types (jersey, rib, purl), gauges, and basic structures.
  • Yarn & Fiber Knowledge: A developing knowledge of different yarn types (wool, cotton, cashmere, synthetics), fibers, and their unique properties.
  • Technical Sketching: The ability to create clear, precise, and proportionally accurate technical sketches (flats) of garments.
  • Microsoft Office Proficiency: Competency in Excel for tracking developments, Word for communications, and PowerPoint for presentations.
  • PLM Software Familiarity: (Preferred but not required) Prior exposure to Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems is a significant advantage.
  • 3D Knit Design Software: (Preferred but not required) Any exposure to software like Shima Seiki APEX or Stoll M1+ is highly beneficial.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: A meticulous and precise approach to all tasks, from measuring a sample to updating a spreadsheet, is non-negotiable in knitwear.
  • Proactive Learner: A genuine curiosity and an insatiable desire to learn the technical and creative nuances of knitwear design and production.
  • Collaborative Spirit: The ability to work seamlessly within a team, offering support, communicating clearly, and contributing to a positive, creative environment.
  • Time Management: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and manage deadlines in a fast-paced setting.
  • Problem-Solving Mindset: The capacity to think critically, anticipate issues, and adapt to changes with a constructive and resourceful attitude.
  • Aesthetic Sensibility: A strong eye for color, proportion, texture, and the subtle details that elevate a garment from good to great.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent, supplemented by a strong, demonstrable portfolio or relevant coursework.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's, Bachelor's, or equivalent degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Fashion Design
  • Textile Design
  • Knitwear Design
  • Apparel Design & Development

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0 - 2 years. This is an entry-level, developmental role.

Preferred:

  • Prior internship experience within a fashion design house or apparel company is highly valued. A strong, well-curated portfolio showcasing personal or academic knitwear projects, sketches, and ideally, physical swatches is essential to demonstrate your passion and potential.
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