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Knitwear Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About the Role The Associate Apparel Designer will support the design and development of women's apparel across lounge, fleece, knitwear, outerwear, and seasonal lifestyle collections. This role is ...

New

About the Role The Associate Apparel Designer will support the design and development of women's apparel across lounge, fleece, knitwear, outerwear, and seasonal lifestyle collections. This role is ...

New

About the Role The Associate Apparel Designer will support the design and development of women's apparel across lounge, fleece, knitwear, outerwear, and seasonal lifestyle collections. This role is ...

New

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Knitwear Designer information

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$14

$23

$43

How much do knitwear designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for knitwear designer in the United States is $23.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.71 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical challenges a knitwear designer faces when collaborating with production teams?

Knitwear Designers often encounter challenges when translating their creative concepts into commercially feasible products, especially during collaboration with production teams. Factors such as yarn availability, machine capabilities, and production timelines can require designers to make adjustments to their original designs. Effective communication and flexibility are essential to ensure that the final garment aligns with both the design vision and manufacturing constraints. Building strong relationships with production staff and understanding technical limitations can help overcome these challenges and result in successful collections.

Can I be a knitwear designer?

Knitwear designers create clothing and accessories using knitting techniques, often requiring skills in pattern design, yarn selection, and sewing. A background in fashion design, textile arts, or related fields, along with proficiency in design software and knitting tools, is typically necessary to pursue this career.

What does a knitwear designer do?

A Knitwear Designer is responsible for creating original designs for knitted garments and accessories, such as sweaters, scarves, hats, and socks. They work with different types of yarns, textures, and knitting techniques to develop fashionable and functional pieces. Their job includes researching trends, sketching designs, selecting materials, creating samples, and collaborating with manufacturers to produce finished products. Knitwear Designers often work for fashion brands, textile companies, or as independent freelancers. Their creativity and technical expertise help bring innovative knitwear collections to life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a knitwear designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Knitwear Designer, you need a solid background in fashion design, textile construction, and an understanding of yarns and knitting techniques, often supported by a relevant degree or diploma. Familiarity with design software such as Adobe Illustrator, CAD systems, and knitting machine programming is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help in developing unique designs and collaborating with teams. These skills ensure innovative, technically feasible knitwear collections that meet both aesthetic and production standards.

How much does a knitwear designer earn?

The average salary for a knitwear designer varies depending on experience, location, and employer, but typically ranges from $40,000 to $70,000 annually. Senior or highly experienced designers can earn over $80,000, especially if working for major fashion brands or running their own business. Skills in pattern making, textile knowledge, and proficiency with design software can influence earning potential.

Is knitwear design a good career?

Knitwear design is a creative profession that involves developing clothing patterns and selecting materials, often requiring skills in fashion illustration and knowledge of textiles. It can offer opportunities in fashion, retail, and manufacturing industries, with potential for freelance work or employment with brands. Success depends on building a strong portfolio, industry experience, and staying updated on trends and techniques.

What is the difference between Knitwear Designer vs Fashion Designer?

AspectKnitwear DesignerFashion Designer
CredentialsFashion or textile design degree, knitting techniquesFashion design degree, broad design skills
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, manufacturing facilities, fashion housesDesign studios, fashion houses, retail brands
Industry UsageSpecializes in knitted garments and textilesDesigns a wide range of apparel, including knitwear

While both roles involve clothing design, a Knitwear Designer specializes in creating knitted garments using specific techniques, whereas a Fashion Designer works across various apparel types, including but not limited to knitwear. Knitwear Designers focus on textile patterns and knitting methods, making their skills more specialized within the fashion industry.

More about Knitwear Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Knitwear Designer jobs? Cities with the most Knitwear Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Knitwear Designer jobs? The most popular types of Knitwear Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Knitwear Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Knitwear Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Knitwear Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Knitwear Designer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Knitwear Designer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,320 per year, or $23.7 per hour.

Women's Associate Designer, Sweaters

Rag & Bone

Manhattan, NY โ€ข On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

About rag & bone
From our origins in New York in 2002, rag & bone was founded on a belief of uncompromising ideals: a commitment to doing things the right way, not the easy way. To making things that are as original as they are timeless. To being true to ourselves, even when that truth sets us apart from the mainstream. 
 
We still believe in the same principles we started with: the easy elegance of classic British tailoring, the authenticity of American workwear, and the originality of our home city, New York. As New Yorkers, community and authenticity have become synonymous with our brand. An inclusive environment at rag & bone upholds our original values by encouraging employee connection and empowering each individual to have a voice on policy, process and collaboration for a more equitable future. 
Job Summary:
rag & bone is seeking an Associate Designer, Sweaters to support the design and development of the women's sweater category from seasonal concept through final sample approval. This role is ideal for a creative, detail-oriented designer with strong taste level, a solid understanding of sweater construction, and the ability to balance brand-right design with commercial needs. The Associate Designer will partner closely with the Senior Designer, Merchandising, Technical Design, Production, and overseas vendors to help create compelling, modern, and well-executed sweater collections, bringing a strong eye for yarn, stitch, texture, silhouette, color, and proportion while managing multiple styles across seasonal deadlines.
Responsibilities:
Seasonal Concept & Research
  • Support seasonal research and concept development for the sweater category, including trend direction, runway, vintage, market, competitive shopping, yarn innovation, stitch ideas, color, texture, and silhouette
  • Assist in building seasonal mood boards, concept decks, stitch and yarn boards, and presentation materials for internal design reviews and market milestones
  • Identify new sweater opportunities that align with the brand aesthetic, customer, seasonal direction, and business needs
Design Development
  • Create original sketches, CADs, stitch layouts, and colorways using Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop
  • Assist in developing yarn, stitch, trim, and construction ideas that support the overall seasonal assortment
  • Prepare detailed design sheets and tech packs, including stitch callouts, yarn information, gauge, measurements, construction details, trims, placements, and finishing details
  • Support color development, lab dip review, yarn submits, knit-downs, strike-offs, and sample approvals to ensure accuracy and brand alignment
  • Maintain and update seasonal design boards throughout the development process
Sweater Technical Execution & Samples
  • Partner with Technical Design and Product Development to ensure sweater designs are feasible, well-constructed, and clearly communicated to vendors
  • Review proto samples, knit-downs, stitch trials, color submits, and SMS samples for accuracy of stitch, hand feel, proportion, fit, construction, quality, and overall design intent
  • Attend fittings and proto reviews, take clear notes, track revisions, and support follow-up comments to vendors
  • Communicate design updates, sample comments, and development direction to domestic and overseas partners in a clear and timely manner
  • Help ensure seasonal deadlines are met across sketch, tech pack, proto, SMS, market, and production handoff stages
Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Merchandising to support assortment needs, key item strategy, and seasonal line planning
  • Partner with Product Development and Production on yarn sourcing, costing, sampling timelines, vendor capabilities, and quality standards
  • Collaborate with Technical Design to maintain fit, proportion, construction integrity, and sweater feasibility
  • Support seasonal design presentations, proto reviews, adoption meetings, market prep, and sample organization
Organization & Department Support
  • Maintain organized digital and physical design files, including seasonal sketches, CADs, yarn libraries, stitch references, sample comments, tech packs, and development records
  • Update internal systems with accurate sweater-specific information, including yarns, gauges, stitch details, colorways, trims, and construction notes
  • Track samples, knit-downs, submits, and development status across the seasonal calendar
  • Prepare samples for meetings, fittings, and presentations, including steaming, organizing, labeling, and setting up boards and racks as needed
  • Support the Senior Designer with day-to-day design tasks, research, meeting preparation, and special projects
Requirements: 
  • Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, Textile Design, or a related field preferred
  • 2 to 4 years of apparel design experience, preferably within sweaters, knitwear, or contemporary women's ready-to-wear
  • Strong understanding of sweater construction, yarns, gauges, stitches, knit-downs, fully fashioned techniques, trims, finishing, fit, and garment construction
  • Strong sketching, CAD, technical flat, and design sheet abilities
  • Proficiency in Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop required
  • Experience with Miro, PLM, or similar design and research tools is a plus
  • Strong eye for color, proportion, texture, silhouette, and brand-right product
  • Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple styles, deadlines, and seasonal deliverables
  • Strong communication skills and comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
  • Portfolio required; sweater or knitwear work strongly preferred

Rules we live by | Rules you live by
Be a Good Human | Be original, be authentic. Stand for diversity, equitability & inclusivity
Have No Fear | Innovate and solve problems
Own Every Decision | Work together and get results
Quality Matters | Not only with product, but we see it in our people
Make Shit Happen | Be disciplined, be competitive
Our in-office policy is in office, 4 days a week.
Benefits
  • Paid Time Off
  • Clothing Allowance
  • Generous Employee Discount
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Membership to Calm and access to other wellness benefits
  • Medical, dental, vision and ancillary benefits
  • 401k
Salary: The target salary for this role is between $75,000 and $85,000 based on candidates' experience and expectations.
rag & bone is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer. No employee or applicant is discriminated against because of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

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