Knitwear manufacturer in Italy for private label brands
Italian Artisan is a private label and custom knitwear manufacturer in Italy. Sweaters, cardigans, turtlenecks, knit tops and dresses in cashmere, merino, cotton and blends from 50 pieces per style, made in the Italian knitwear districts, with yarn sourcing, sampling, production and shipping run by one dedicated project manager.
No commitment.
Brands and companies we have produced for
- 300+brands a year
- 285verified Italian manufacturers
- 40+client countries
- 100%made in Italy
What knitwear can we manufacture in Italy?
As a knitwear manufacturer in Italy we send every model to the district and the workshop that specialise in it: fine-gauge cashmere and merino to Perugia and Carpi, chunky and fashion knits to the Veneto, yarns from the spinners of Biella and Prato. Pick yours and tell us about the project.
- Sweaters and crewnecksCrewnecks, V-necks, boat necks, in fine to chunky gauges.
- Turtlenecks and mock necksRibbed and plain collars, fine-gauge to 3gg.
- CardigansButtoned, zip and shawl-collar cardigans, with pockets and trims.
- Polo knits and knit shirtsShort and long sleeve, collared, fully fashioned.
- Knit tops and vestsTanks, short-sleeve knits, sleeveless vests.
- Knit dresses and skirtsRibbed, fitted and column dresses, pleated knit skirts.
- Co-ords and knit trousersMatching sets, ribbed trousers, loungewear knits.
- Cashmere hoodies and sweatshirtsBrushed cashmere and cotton-cashmere knits.
- Knit jackets and coatsHeavy gauge, felted wool, knitted coats.
- Scarves, beanies and glovesKnitted accessories to match the collection.
- Children's knitwearSoft yarns, flat seams, easy care.
Not sure where your product fits? Tell us about your project
Who is this knitwear manufacturer for?
Brands that want knitwear with the yarns, hand and finishing of Italian knitting, and a production partner that is still there for the sixth season.
A good fit if you are
- An established brandMoving knitwear production to Italy or adding a cashmere and merino line.
- An emerging brand with a planLaunching a first knitwear capsule from 50 pieces per style.
- A retailer or concept storeDeveloping a private label knitwear range with consistent sizing.
- A fashion house or designerAdding knitwear to a ready-to-wear line without building a knit team.
Not the right fit if you need
- Single pieces, bespoke or hand-knitted one-offs.
- Very small runs. Our reference is 50 pieces per style.
- The lowest possible price per piece.
Canadian design, Italian cashmere: a knitwear line produced in 80 days
- 80days to finished production, vs 200 quoted locally
- 2prototype rounds to approval, instead of three
- 0garments reworked or replaced
- Adam, an engineer turned designer, had prototyped in Canada and could not get the hand and finishing he wanted. We matched him with a cashmere knitting workshop in Italy.
- 18-micron cashmere, two-ply 2/28000 yarn, fully fashioned knitting and yarn-dyed colours, chosen together before the first sample.
- Fibre testing on the yarn, tension control on the machines and a final inspection piece by piece, then climate-controlled shipping to Canada.
Which yarns and fibres can you use?
Almost any. As an Italian knitwear manufacturer we buy most of our yarn from the spinners of Biella and Prato, cashmere and merino first, but cotton, silk blends, alpaca and mohair are just as at home in our workshops. The yarn sets most of the price and the hand of a knit, so it's the first choice we make with you, with cones and swatches before sampling.
CashmereMongolian and Italian-spun, 2-ply to 6-ply.
Sweaters, hoodies, scarves
Extra-fine merinoSoft, light, machine-washable options.
Fine-gauge crewnecks, polos
Lambswool and ShetlandWarm, textured, holds cables and ribs.
Cable knits, chunky sweaters
Alpaca and mohairFluffy, airy, brushed finishes.
Fashion knits, cardigans
Cotton and cotton-cashmereBreathable, for spring and summer.
Knit tops, polos, kids
Silk and viscose blendsDrape and sheen, fine gauges.
Dresses, fine turtlenecks
Linen and wool-linenDry hand, summer weight.
Half-zips, vests- Recycled and certified
GCS, RWS and GOTS yarns from Biella and Prato.
On request
Recycled cashmere and wool, RWS and GOTS certified yarns, undyed and low-impact dyed options are available on request.
What about gauges, stitches and finishing?
The choices that decide how a knit looks, fits and lasts. All developed with you and controlled in the workshop, in the same production.
Gauges
- 3gg and 5gg chunky
- 7gg medium
- 12gg and 14gg fine
- 18gg and 21gg ultra-fine
- Italian size grading XS–XXL
Techniques
- Fully fashioned
- Seamless and whole garment
- Cut and sew
- Hand-finished linking
- Jacquard and intarsia
- Cables, ribs, pointelle
Finishing
- Washing and softening
- Steaming and blocking to size
- Brushing and anti-pilling
- Yarn-dyed or garment-dyed
- Dimensional stability checks
Trims and branding
- Buttons, zips, elbow patches
- Woven, printed and care labels
- Embroidery and leather patches
- Hangtags and packaging
- Fibre composition labels for your market
Private label or white label: how do you want to work?
As a private label and custom knitwear manufacturer, we develop your collection from your own tech pack. If you don't have one yet, our design team makes it, with the yarn and stitch plan. White label starts from the workshop's existing models.
Private label with tech design
No tech pack yet? Our designers draw the collection, then it runs as private label.
- Sketches and technical drawings
- Yarn, gauge, stitch and trim specs
- Measurement charts, then sampling and production
Private label from your tech pack
Your collection, developed from your own tech pack, yarns and references.
- Workshop matched to your gauge and product
- Prototype and samples until approved
- Production under your brand
White label
Existing models from the workshop, your yarn, colour and brand.
- Choose yarn, colour and trims
- Your labels, hangtags and packaging
- Fastest route to market
Whichever route you choose, a dedicated project manager follows the project from brief to delivery.
Why manufacture knitwear in Italy?
Because Italian knitwear is still the benchmark your customers recognise, and because the districts put spinner, dye house, knitting workshop and finishing within a short drive of each other. Our Italian knitwear manufacturers are specialised, verified and open to visits.
- The knitwear districtsFine-gauge cashmere and merino in Perugia and Carpi, fashion and chunky knits in the Veneto and Lombardy, yarns and dye houses in Biella and Prato.
- Verified before they joinEvery manufacturer is verified before entering the network. You can visit yours, walk the knitting floor and the finishing room, and see your production in person.
- Made in Italy, on the labelKnitting, linking, finishing and packing in Italy, with the fibre composition and origin labelling your market requires.
"Italian Artisan has been a huge help with the development, communication, and professionalism for the creation of Cashmear's products. From the sourcing of a manufacturer to the dedicated support, it has made this process very smooth."Adam Wright · CEO, Cashmear, Canada
What is the MOQ and how is the price built?
We are a low MOQ knitwear manufacturer: our reference is 50 pieces per style, split across sizes and colours. Every model is evaluated on its own, and three things set the price per piece.
- YarnThe biggest driver. Cashmere, merino, cotton or blends, and how many grams the garment uses: a chunky 3gg sweater takes three times the yarn of a fine-gauge one.
- Gauge and techniqueFully fashioned, seamless, jacquard and intarsia programmes, hand-finished linking and details each add machine time and setup.
- QuantityThe price per piece drops as the run grows. Samples are priced separately, usually 2–3× the unit price.
Every project is priced on your specifications. If you have a target cost, tell us up front: it changes which yarn and gauge we propose during sampling.
No commitment.
How long does knitwear production take?
Two steps, one after the other. Most delays come from yarn availability and from changes after the sample is approved, so we book the yarn early and lock every comment in writing before production starts.
- Step 13–5 weeks
Yarn, prototype and samples
Yarn sourcing and swatches, first prototype, fit and hand corrections, and the pre-production sample you approve with its measurement chart.
- Step 23–5 weeks
Production
Knitting, linking, washing and finishing, quality control on measurements and surface, and shipping, once the sample is approved.
Indicative timelines. Yarns not in stock at the spinner, jacquard programmes and hand-finished details can take longer. August and the Christmas weeks are closed in the districts: plan around them.
Who manufactures knitwear in Italy with Italian Artisan?
-
Cashmear
- 80days to finished production
- 2prototype rounds to approval
- 0garments reworked or replaced
18-micron cashmere, fully fashioned knitting and yarn-dyed colours for a Canadian brand that could not get the quality it wanted at home.
Read the case study -
Famous Furs
- 40days to finished product
- 50pieces minimum order
- 0research and development costs
Founded in 1915, the brand used ready-made designs to add cashmere, outerwear and technical pieces in small runs, with logo embroidery and its own labels.
-
Parla
- 96%customers satisfied with quality
- 60%repeat purchase rate
- +75%sales year over year
"Their extensive network and project management support have enabled us to maintain the highest standards of craftsmanship while ensuring ethical production practices."
Lauren Linnane, Founder
What is it like to work with Italian Artisan?
"Italian Artisan has been a huge help with the development, communication, and professionalism for the creation of Cashmear's products."
Adam WrightCEO, Cashmear, Canada"I choose made in Italy production because it is still a benchmark for quality products around the world and many customers have an emotional connection to made in Italy."
Stephen WeinbergGeneral Manager, Famous Furs, New York"Italian Artisan has been key in linking us with reliable suppliers, saving time and resources. Their support and facilitation have been invaluable."
Galia DiranyFounder, La Gallia
How does it work with Italian Artisan?
A dedicated project manager, in English, from brief to delivery.
- Step 1
Tell us about your project
References, sketches or tech pack, styles, yarns, quantities and budget.
- Step 2
Get matched workshops
We pick the Italian knitting workshop and district that fit each model, gauge and price point.
- Step 3
Approve the yarn and the samples
Yarn swatches, prototype and samples, corrected until they are right. Workshop visit on request.
- Step 4
Production and delivery
Quality check on measurements, linking and finishing before shipping. Payments, shipping and customs handled.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, and we handle the paperwork.
- Worldwide shippingEurope, the USA, the UK, the Middle East, Asia.
- Customs and dutiesDocuments and clearance managed with you, including wool and cashmere declarations.
- Labelling complianceFibre composition, care and origin labels for your market.
- One point of contactYour project manager tracks the shipment to arrival, and handles repairs after the sale.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for a knitwear manufacturer in Italy?
How much does it cost to manufacture knitwear in Italy?
How long does knitwear production take?
Do I need a tech pack to start?
Which types of knitwear do you manufacture?
Which yarns can you source?
Do you ship worldwide and handle customs?
Ready to produce your knitwear collection in Italy?
Tell us about your knitwear: 2 minutes, no commitment.
No commitment.