Knitwear Glossary A-Z: 120+ Terms for Fashion Brand Sourcing

A-Z reference for yarn types, knit structures, machines, certifications and commercial terms — built by Turkey’s flat-knit specialists.

As a leading Turkish flat-knit manufacturer, Kiwi Giyim (Özbakır Knitwear) understands the complexities of modern knitwear production. This glossary is designed as a comprehensive resource for sourcing managers, designers, and tech pack creators navigating the world of knitwear. From yarn types and knit structures to compliance standards and commercial terms, this A-Z guide provides clear definitions to streamline communication and ensure successful collaboration. Kiwi Giyim leverages advanced technology, including Shima Seiki and Stoll CMS machines, to deliver high-quality knitwear solutions.

A

• Acrylic — A synthetic yarn known for its affordability, durability, and resistance to moths. Often blended with natural fibers for enhanced performance.
• Alpaca — A luxurious natural fiber sourced from alpacas, prized for its softness, warmth, and hypoallergenic properties. Kiwi Giyim offers alpaca blends for premium knitwear.
• Argyle — A classic knitted pattern characterized by diamonds and intersecting lines, traditionally used in socks and sweaters.
• AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit) — The maximum defect rate considered acceptable in a batch of goods, used for quality control inspections. AQL 2.5 is a common standard.

B

• Bamboo — A sustainable and eco-friendly fiber known for its softness, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties.
• BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) — A program promoting sustainable cotton production, focusing on reducing water usage and pesticide application.
• Blocking — A finishing process used to shape and set knitted fabric, improving drape and dimensions.
• Blending — Combining different yarn types to achieve desired characteristics like strength, softness, or cost-effectiveness.

C

• Cable Knit — A textured knit pattern created by interlocking loops of yarn, resembling a rope.
• Cashmere — A luxurious natural fiber obtained from cashmere goats, renowned for its exceptional softness, warmth, and lightweight feel. Kiwi Giyim sources Grade A cashmere.
• Circular Knitting — A method of creating fabric by forming loops of yarn in a circular fashion, commonly used for jersey and rib knits.
• CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) — US legislation regulating the safety of children’s products, including lead content and phthalates.
• Cut-and-Sew — A traditional garment construction method involving cutting knitted panels and sewing them together.

D

• Denier — A unit of measurement for the linear mass density of fibers, particularly nylon and polyester. Lower denier indicates a finer fiber.
• DAP (Delivered at Place) — An Incoterm where the seller delivers the goods to a named destination, with the buyer responsible for import duties and taxes.
• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) — An Incoterm where the seller is responsible for all costs and risks associated with delivering the goods to a named destination, including import duties and taxes.
• Dyeing (Garment Dye) — Applying color to finished garments, offering flexibility and unique effects.

E

• EAC (Eurasian Conformity) — A certification required for products sold in the Eurasian Economic Union.
• Enzyme Wash — A finishing process using enzymes to soften fabric, remove fuzz, and create a worn-in look.
• EXW (Ex Works) — An Incoterm where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, with the buyer responsible for all subsequent costs and risks.

F

• First Article — A sample garment produced to confirm construction, materials, and quality standards before bulk production.
• Flat-Knit — A knitting method using needles to create fabric in a flat plane, allowing for complex patterns and shaping. Kiwi Giyim specializes in fully-fashioned flat-knitwear.
• Fully-Fashioned — A knitting technique where garments are shaped during the knitting process, minimizing waste and creating a superior fit.
• FOB (Free On Board) — An Incoterm where the seller delivers the goods on board a vessel at a named port of shipment.

G

• Gauge (gg) — The number of needles per inch in a knitting machine, determining the fineness of the knit. Kiwi Giyim’s 22 flat-knit machines support gauges 3-14gg.
• GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) — EU regulation ensuring products placed on the market are safe.
• GRS (Global Recycled Standard) — A certification verifying the recycled content of products and responsible production practices. Kiwi Giyim offers GRS-certified recycled polyester.
• GSM (Grams per Square Meter) — A measure of fabric weight, indicating its density and thickness.

H

• High-Bulk Yarn — Yarn engineered to create a loftier, more voluminous knit.
• Honeycomb Knit — A textured knit resembling a honeycomb pattern, offering good insulation and drape.

I

• Incoterms — A set of internationally recognized trade terms defining the responsibilities of buyers and sellers.
• Interlock Knit — A rib-like knit structure known for its stability, smoothness, and resistance to curling.
• Intarsia — A knitting technique used to create blocks of color within a garment, similar to color blocking. Shima Seiki supports intarsia up to 16 colors in one course.

J

• Jacquard Knit — A complex knit pattern created by using multiple yarn colors and varying knit structures.
• Jersey Knit — A basic, single-knit fabric known for its softness, drape, and stretch.

K

• Kiwi Giyim — A leading Turkish flat-knit manufacturer specializing in high-quality knitwear solutions.
• Knitting (Flat-Knit) — The process of interlooping yarns using needles to create fabric.

L

• L/C (Letter of Credit) — A payment method used in international trade, providing security for both buyer and seller.
• Lead Time — The time required to complete an order, from order placement to shipment.
• Linking — A hand-finishing technique used to join knitted pieces together seamlessly.
• Links-Links Knit — A variation of rib knit, offering excellent elasticity and recovery.

M

• Machine (Shima Seiki) — A leading manufacturer of flat-knit knitting machines, known for their precision and versatility.
• Machine (Stoll CMS) — Another leading manufacturer of flat-knit knitting machines, offering advanced technology and capabilities.
• Merino Wool — A high-quality wool fiber known for its softness, warmth, and breathability.
• Milano Knit — A substantial, double-knit fabric with a ribbed texture, offering excellent drape and structure.
• Mohair — A luxurious fiber obtained from Angora goats, known for its silky texture and halo effect.
• MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) — The smallest quantity of goods a manufacturer is willing to produce.

N

• Nearshoring — Sourcing production closer to the final market, reducing lead times and transportation costs.
• Nm (Ne) — Units of measurement for yarn count, indicating the linear mass density of the yarn. Nm is metric, Ne is English.
• Nickel Release — A compliance requirement limiting the amount of nickel that can be released from products, particularly in items that come into contact with skin.

O

• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 — A certification ensuring textiles are free from harmful substances.
• Organic Cotton (GOTS) — Cotton grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard.
• Ottoman Knit — A textured, double-knit fabric with raised ribs, offering a luxurious look and feel.

P

• Pilling — The formation of small balls of fiber on the surface of a fabric, indicating wear and tear.
• Piece Dye — Dyeing fabric after it has been knitted, allowing for flexibility in color selection.
• Pointelle Knit — A lightweight knit with small, decorative holes, offering breathability and texture.
• Polyester — A synthetic fiber known for its durability, wrinkle resistance, and affordability.
• Pre-Production Sample — A sample garment created before bulk production to confirm all details and specifications.
• Pressing — A finishing process using heat and pressure to remove wrinkles and shape fabric.

Q

• Quality Control — The process of ensuring products meet specified quality standards.
• Quilting — A technique of joining layers of fabric together through stitching, often used for warmth and texture.

R

• RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) — A certification verifying the presence and amount of recycled material in a product.
• REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) — EU regulation addressing the safe use of chemicals.
• Recycled Polyester (GRS) — Polyester made from recycled plastic bottles or other post-consumer waste.
• Restricted Substance List (RSL) — A list of chemicals prohibited or restricted in textile production.
• Rib Knit — A knit structure with vertical ribs, offering excellent elasticity and recovery.
• RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) — A certification ensuring wool is sourced from farms with responsible land management and animal welfare practices.

S

• Sample Room — A dedicated space for creating and evaluating samples, crucial for design and development.
• Seamless Knitting (WHOLEGARMENT) — A technique where garments are knitted in their entirety, eliminating the need for cutting and sewing.
• Shima Seiki — A leading manufacturer of flat-knit knitting machines.
• Shrinkage — The reduction in size of a fabric after washing or other treatments.
• Size Set — A complete range of garment sizes produced as a sample for fit and grading.
• Spot Cleaning — Cleaning a small area of fabric without washing the entire garment.
• Steaming — A finishing process using steam to remove wrinkles and shape fabric.
• Stoll CMS — A leading manufacturer of flat-knit knitting machines.
• SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) — Chemicals identified by REACH as posing significant risks to human health or the environment.

T

• T/T (Telegraphic Transfer) — A payment method involving electronic transfer of funds.
• TENCEL™ Lyocell — A sustainable fiber made from wood pulp, known for its softness, breathability, and eco-friendly production process.
• Tech Pack — A comprehensive document containing all the information needed to manufacture a garment.
• Tex — A unit of measurement for linear mass density of fibers, similar to denier.
• Tolerance — The acceptable variation in measurements or specifications.
• TOP Sample — A final sample garment approved for production, representing the exact specifications of the bulk order.

U

• UV Protection — The ability of a fabric to block harmful ultraviolet rays.

V

• Vertical Integration — Controlling multiple stages of the supply chain, from yarn sourcing to garment finishing.

W

• Washing — A process used to clean and soften fabric, often with specific detergents or enzymes.
• WHOLEGARMENT — Shima Seiki’s seamless knitting technology, creating fully-fashioned garments in one piece.
• Warp Knitting — A method of creating fabric by forming loops of yarn in a lengthwise direction.

X

• X-ray Inspection — A quality control method using X-rays to detect defects within fabric or garments.

Y

• Yarn Count — A measure of the linear mass density of yarn, expressed as Nm, Ne, denier, or tex.
• Y2Y Recycling — Recycling textile waste back into new yarns.

Z

• ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) — A program aiming to eliminate hazardous chemicals from the textile supply chain.
• Zipper — A fastening device used to join two edges of fabric together.
• Zero-defect — A quality control philosophy aiming to eliminate all defects in production.