Start with the customer and the garment
Define the role of the style in your collection: an everyday layer, a relaxed cardigan or a patterned seasonal sweater. Share the intended fit, season, target price and a physical reference if available. Specify what matters most—visible texture, softness, shape or easy layering—so the development discussion has a clear priority.
Read gauge together with yarn
Machine gauge describes the number of needles per inch. Lower numbers generally correspond to coarser knitting; higher numbers to finer knitting. Gauge alone does not identify fiber content, garment weight or quality. Ask for a proposed combination of yarn, gauge and structure, rather than choosing a gauge from a photograph. A yarn change may require the knit specification to be reviewed.
Compare finished swatches
Request labeled swatches for the shortlisted constructions. Include the yarn reference, gauge, stitch description and intended washing or finishing treatment. Compare the swatches after the proposed finish: look at the surface, drape, opacity and recovery, and check how the fabric feels against the skin. For cable or textured work, review the actual relief. For jacquard, inspect the motif scale, color balance and reverse side.
Keep commercial decisions visible
Ask how alternative constructions affect the development plan and quotation. A visually similar result may need a different yarn or stitch arrangement, so record any substitution for approval. Agree the garment weight or other measurable requirements where relevant, together with the test plan and care expectations. The finished swatch and approved sample should become the shared reference; a mood image is only the starting point.
Manufacturing information: 2025 company profile. Order specifications and current availability are confirmed for each project. Company facts and supporting documents