What Drives Knitwear Unit Cost?
Why does one sweater quote come in at $9 and another at $24? Here's what actually sits inside a knitwear unit price — and where you can move it.
Knitwear pricing isn't arbitrary. Once you see the components, you can design smarter — keeping the look you want while controlling the cost you don't.
The main cost drivers
- Yarn — usually the biggest. Fibre (cashmere ≫ merino ≫ cotton ≫ acrylic) and how much of it (gauge and garment weight). Yarn often drives the majority of unit cost.
- Gauge & weight. Finer gauges and heavier garments use more machine time and more yarn.
- Technique. Plain jersey or rib is quick; intarsia and multi-colour jacquard take longer to program and knit, adding cost.
- Finishing & hand-work. Linking, hand-finishing, special washes and embellishment all add labour.
- Order size. Set-up cost is fixed; spread over more units it shrinks per piece. This is why MOQ and unit price are linked.
- Trims & packaging. Woven labels, special buttons, custom polybags and cartons add up.
- Compliance & testing. Lab tests for a market's regulations carry a cost (usually amortised across the order).
Design for cost without cheapening: choose a yarn that hits your hand-feel at the right count, keep colour counts sensible (each adds yarn minimums and complexity), and consolidate styles to build order size.
Where brands overspend by accident
Too many colourways (each is a full yarn minimum), over-fine gauges where a mid-gauge would read the same, and complex stitches that add cost without adding perceived value. A good manufacturer will tell you where you're paying for something the customer won't notice.
Want a real number for your style? Send a tech pack and we'll break the price down honestly — request a quote.
Ready to make it?
Send a tech pack, a reference garment or a brief. We respond within one business day with a capacity check, indicative pricing and a sample timeline — direct with the founder.