Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Knitwear Intern

🎯 Role Definition

The Knitwear Intern is a foundational role within a fashion design and product development team, offering immersive, hands-on experience in the complete lifecycle of knit apparel. This position is designed as a launchpad for aspiring designers, providing direct support to the Knitwear Design and Technical teams. The intern will be actively involved in the day-to-day operations, from initial concept and yarn research to the final stages of sample development. This is a true learning opportunity, where a passion for textiles, construction, and fashion is nurtured through practical application and mentorship. We see this role not just as a support function, but as an integral part of the creative process, bringing fresh perspectives while learning the technical and commercial realities of the industry.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Fashion Design or Textile Science Student (Undergraduate or Graduate)
Recent Graduate with a specialization in Knitwear
Aspiring Designer with a strong personal portfolio in knit crafts

Advancement To:

Assistant Knitwear Designer
Associate Knitwear Designer
Yarn & Materials Developer

Lateral Moves:

Technical Designer (Knitwear Specialist)
Product Development Assistant (Knits)
Textile Designer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assist in the creation and meticulous updating of technical packages (tech packs), ensuring all details regarding yarn quality, knit construction, garment measurements, and finishing are accurate.
Support the design team in researching and developing seasonal concepts, color palettes, and innovative knitwear trends by creating mood boards and research presentations.
Participate in the hands-on development of knit swatches and trials, experimenting with different yarns, gauges, and stitch techniques on knitting machines or by hand.
Maintain and organize the seasonal yarn library, which includes cataloging new yarn arrivals, updating inventory, and preparing yarn cards for design review.
Prepare and send detailed packages with clear instructions, yarn standards, and color direction to overseas vendors and factory partners.
Shadow and assist designers during fit sessions, taking detailed notes on sample adjustments, construction critiques, and aesthetic changes.
Use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create and update technical sketches (flats), stitch layouts, and color-ups for presentation boards and tech packs.
Track the progress of incoming and outgoing knit samples, ensuring they are logged, labeled, and prepared for review in a timely manner.
Communicate with cross-functional partners in Technical Design and Production to help relay design intent and ensure the seamless flow of information.
Aid in the development of presentation materials for key milestone meetings, including mounting swatches, organizing samples, and preparing design boards.
Research and source new and sustainable yarn options from mills and suppliers, requesting samples and organizing initial pricing information for the team.
Manage the organization of the knitwear design area, including flat-filing sketches, archiving past season samples, and maintaining a tidy workspace.

Secondary Functions

Conduct competitive market research by analyzing competitor assortments, pricing, and knitwear trends both online and in-store.
Assist in photographing knitwear samples and swatches for internal archives and digital presentations.
Help prepare for showroom setups and market appointments by ensuring all knitwear samples are steamed, tagged, and presented correctly.
Provide general administrative support to the Knitwear Design team, including scheduling meetings and managing sample shipments.
Create digital renderings and stitch simulations to help visualize knit patterns and textures before physical sampling begins.
Support the creation of detailed Bill of Materials (BOMs) for each knit garment, documenting all components from yarn to trims.
Participate in brainstorming sessions for new knitwear concepts, bringing fresh ideas and a new perspective to the team.
Archive and document all approved knit standards, swatches, and lab dips for future season reference.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator for creating detailed technical flats and in Adobe Photoshop for color-ups and mood boards.
Knitwear Construction: A solid understanding of different knit structures (jersey, rib, interlock, jacquard), stitch techniques, and linking/finishing methods.
Yarn Knowledge: Foundational knowledge of different fiber types (wool, cotton, cashmere, synthetics), yarn counts, and their properties.
Technical Package (Tech Pack) Development: Ability to assist in creating or updating components of a tech pack, including measurements and construction callouts.
Hand and Machine Knitting: Practical experience with hand knitting or operation of a domestic/industrial knitting machine is a significant plus.
Microsoft Office Suite: Competency in Excel for tracking samples and managing data, and PowerPoint for creating presentations.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Attention to Detail: A meticulous eye for spotting inconsistencies in samples, sketches, and documentation.
Proactive & Eager to Learn: A strong desire to absorb new information, ask thoughtful questions, and take initiative on tasks without constant supervision.
Organizational Skills: The ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and maintain an organized physical and digital workspace in a fast-paced environment.
Strong Communication: Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills for interacting with the team and external partners.
Collaborative Spirit: A positive, team-player attitude with a willingness to help out wherever needed.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Associate's degree from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Education:

Enrolled in a degree program with a specific concentration in Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, or Textile Science.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Fashion Design
Textile Design / Textile Science
Apparel Product Development

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0-1 years. This is an entry-level role designed for students or recent graduates with a demonstrable passion for knitwear.

Preferred:

A strong, well-curated portfolio that showcases knitwear design projects, hand or machine-knitted swatches, and a clear design process. Previous internship experience within a fashion or apparel company is highly advantageous.