Engineered flat-knit on Shima Seiki and Stoll for UK brands: body-mapped structures, technical yarn blends and seamless WHOLEGARMENT construction — produced to your spec, under your label, duty-free under the FTA.
Performance knitwear is engineered, not just knitted. On computerised Shima Seiki and Stoll machines we build structure into the garment — rib zones, mesh ventilation panels, seamless construction — using technical and natural-blend yarns. Your design and spec, our machines, your label. And because Turkish knitwear enters the UK duty-free under the UK–Türkiye FTA, the same cost advantage available to fashion brands applies equally to technical programmes — reducing landed cost before any comparison on unit price.
Knit-to-shape, no side seams — fewer pressure points and chafe, a cleaner fit for active and base layers. The construction standard at the top of the market.
Body-mapped rib, mesh ventilation and compression zones knitted in — support and breathability placed exactly where the design needs them, not as a sewn-on panel.
Merino and performance blends for thermoregulation, stretch and recovery — supplier-sourced with full certification. RWS merino, OEKO-TEX polyester blends available.
Computerised Stoll CMS & Shima Seiki, 3–14gg — repeatable, consistent engineering batch after batch. Gauge consistency is measurable; we provide dimensional data on request.
Body-mapped knitwear is engineered by specifying different stitch structures, tension settings or yarn types across zones of the same garment — all knitted in one continuous pass on a programmable machine. The result is structure where you need it and softness or ventilation where you don't.
Rib stitch in targeted zones — underarm, side panel, cuff — provides gentle compression and keeps the garment anchored without a separate compression panel. Knitted into the structure, not sewn on.
Open-stitch mesh knitted into ventilation zones — back panel, underarm — channels airflow without visible seaming. Standard jersey inserts require a sewing operation; knitted-in mesh does not.
Stitch tension can be varied progressively across a panel — producing graduated compression or a deliberately looser zone. Not achievable in cut-and-sew without a separate fabric or a seam.
Different gauge settings on different programme sections — fine-gauge main body combined with chunky rib collar, or a textured back panel against a smooth front. All from the same machine programme.
| Yarn | Key Property | Best Use | Cert Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra-fine merino (15–18µ) | Thermoregulation, natural moisture management | Base layer, mid-layer, year-round | RWS, OEKO-TEX |
| Merino–nylon blend (80/20) | Durability added to merino | Higher-abrasion applications, elbow/cuff zones | OEKO-TEX |
| Recycled polyester (rPET) | Low-impact, moisture-wicking | Performance mid-layers, athleisure | GRS, OEKO-TEX |
| Polypropylene blend | Fastest moisture transfer, lightweight | Base layer, next-to-skin | OEKO-TEX |
| Cotton–elastane | Natural handle with stretch recovery | Athleisure, casual performance | GOTS (organic cotton), OEKO-TEX |
We are a flat-knit specialist — engineered sweaters, base layers, technical mid-layers and knit-to-shape pieces. For cut-and-sew jersey activewear (running tights, sports bras, woven-panel jackets) we work through our vetted partner network. We will always tell you straight what is in-house and what is partner-made — and we will never promise a product category we cannot deliver to the right specification.
If your programme mixes flat-knit pieces with cut-and-sew jersey, we can produce the knitwear and coordinate the jersey component separately — maintaining a clear distinction in your tech pack and documentation about which factory produced which garment.
The UK activewear and athleisure market runs on technical knit — engineered base layers, merino mid-layers and performance jumpers. The sourcing case is the same as the rest of UK apparel: duty-free entry under the UK–Türkiye FTA against an ~8–12% tariff on the Far East, a roughly 10–14 day lane to Felixstowe to keep tight seasonal drops on schedule, and UK REACH-compliant materials with the traceability your Modern Slavery statement needs.
For performance pieces that carry performance claims — insulation ratings, moisture-management specs — we produce to your test protocol and can connect you with UK-based textile testing labs (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) for independent garment performance verification.
Related: Post-Brexit sourcing · Shipping Turkey to the UK · UK REACH compliance.
Send a tech pack or a brief. We respond within one business day with a capacity check, indicative pricing and a sample timeline.
PERFORMANCE KNITWEAR