Knitted sweater weaving process: needle type, weaving method and equipment, widening the gap between quality and working hours

2026-08-17 11:55:49

If the raw materials are the same, the quality and price of the knitted sweater may also differ by twice, and the difference lies in the equipment, needle type, and process complexity in the weaving process.

1. Needle density: The higher the number of needles, the higher the accuracy and cost

The "number of needles" in knitting refers to the number of needles per inch. The higher the number of needles, the finer and smoother the woven fabric, and the higher the requirements for yarn quality and equipment accuracy

Coarse needle style (3-7 needles): The yarn is coarse, the weaving speed is fast, the working hours are short, the processing cost is low, and it is mostly used for thick outerwear sweaters;

Conventional needle type (12-14 needles): the most mainstream density on the market, balancing thickness and delicacy, with moderate processing costs;

Fine spun high needle (16-24 needles): The fabric is delicate as cloth, the pattern is stiff and not bulky, and the requirements for yarn uniformity are extremely high. The weaving speed is slow, and the working hours are 2-3 times that of conventional needle types, resulting in a significant increase in processing costs.

2. Weaving complexity: From basic flat needles to complex jacquard patterns, the working hours increase exponentially

Basic model: flat needle, thread, simple pit strip, easy programming, fast weaving speed, lowest processing cost;

Complex weaving methods: styles such as twisted patterns, hollow patterns, jacquard patterns, inlaid patterns, and color blocking splicing require separate programming and equipment debugging. The weaving speed is slow, the defect rate is high, and the processing fee is 2-5 times that of the basic style;

Many niche sweaters with strong design sense have low raw material costs, but complex weaving methods, labor and labor costs significantly increase the final selling price.

3. Equipment accuracy: The quality difference between ordinary weaving machines and imported flat knitting machines lies in the details

Low end small factories use ordinary hand cranked machines and simple weaving machines, with low equipment costs, but uneven stitches, large size deviations, and high defect rates;

Legitimate large factories use imported computerized flat knitting machines, with a single equipment price of several hundred thousand yuan. The woven stitches are uniform, the pattern is precise, and the consistency is strong. However, the equipment depreciation and processing costs are much higher than those of low-end equipment.

3、 Post finishing process: The invisible process determines the feel and durability of the product

Many people only look at the style and feel of sweaters, but do not know whether the feel is good or bad, whether there is pilling or shrinkage, which is mostly determined by the post-processing process. This is the easiest link to cut corners on low-priced sweaters.

1. Softening with washing water: the key to transitioning from a stiff and prickly texture to a soft and skin friendly texture

Ordinary wool itself has a certain sense of tying, while high-quality sweaters undergo multiple washing, softening, and shrinking treatments to make the fibers soft and smooth, without tying even when worn close to the body.

Low priced sweaters are often washed only once, resulting in stiff fabric, strong skin pricking sensation, and rough hand feel;

Mid to high end sweaters undergo multiple softening, silk polishing, and felting processes. Each additional process incurs additional costs, resulting in a more comfortable wearing experience.

2. Function processing: anti pilling, anti shrinkage, and color fixing are all additional costs

Anti pilling treatment: By using special techniques to reduce the tendency of fibers to pill, it reduces the hassle of daily maintenance;

Anti shrinkage water treatment: to prevent the wool sweater from shrinking and deforming after washing, and to extend its wearing life;

Environmentally friendly color fixation: using active environmentally friendly dyes and multiple fixation processes, it has high color fastness, is not easy to fade, has no odor, and meets the safety standards for close fitting clothing.

Most low-priced sweaters omit these processes. Although they are cheap, they tend to pill, shrink, and fade after a few wears, resulting in extremely low cost-effectiveness.