Cable knit sweaters are timeless, textured, and always in demand for women’s apparel. But ordering them from a factory brings special questions. Many designers and brand owners feel overwhelmed by technical terms or unclear rules. We work with women’s apparel brands every day, so we hear the same concerns again and again. Below are the four most common questions about ordering cable knit sweaters—answered simply, honestly, and without industry jargon.
What is the Minimum Order Quantity?
One of the first things every brand asks is about minimum order quantities. Online information is often inconsistent, so we keep our policy clear and fair. Our standard MOQ for cable knit sweaters is 50 pieces per design. If you are launching a brand-new cable pattern that requires machine setup, we suggest 80 pieces for better stability and consistency. For repeat orders, 50 pieces works perfectly. You can also mix different colors within the same style to reach the MOQ. This low, flexible structure lets you test designs, colors, and markets without taking big financial risks. It is ideal for startup brands and growing labels alike.
What Does Gauge Mean for Cables?
Gauge simply means the number of stitches per inch. It controls how thick, heavy, and textured your cable knit sweater will be. For cable designs, 3–5 gauge creates a chunky, bold, winter-ready look. 7 gauge is a medium weight, the most popular choice for women’s everyday sweaters. 12 gauge produces a finer, lighter, and more elegant fabric. Our factory mainly focuses on 7-gauge and 12-gauge for women’s wear because they balance comfort, style, and wearability. Chunky 3-gauge is available, but it needs thicker yarn, which costs more and often requires longer lead times. We help you choose the best gauge based on your season, target customer, and budget.
How Do You Grade the Sizes Properly?
Size grading is extra important for cable knits. If you just enlarge a small pattern to make a large size, the cables will look stretched and messy. Our professional grading team adjusts the pattern repeat carefully across sizes. We keep the cable proportions consistent so the design looks balanced from XS to 2XL. We make these adjustments digitally first. If needed, we also knit a full size-set sample for you to test and approve. This ensures every size fits well and maintains the original beauty of the cable design. You never have to worry about distorted patterns or unflattering fits.
What Care Label Should We Use?
Care labels affect how customers use and enjoy your sweaters. Many brands automatically choose “dry clean only,” but this limits usability. We give practical, factory-based suggestions. For most wool-blend cable knits, we recommend “hand wash cold” for longer life. For acrylic or easy-care blends, “machine wash cold” works well. We can sew any custom care label you provide. We also offer simple symbol-only care labels for a clean look. We never add unnecessary warnings or complicated instructions. Our goal is to help your customers wear and care for your sweaters easily.
How Lead Times Work for Cable Knit Styles
Lead time is another key concern for cable knit orders. Since knitting machines require specific setup for cables, production takes a little more time than regular knits. Our standard lead time for cable sweater orders is 15–25 business days after sample approval. New custom cable patterns may take a few extra days for programming and testing. For peak seasons, we encourage early planning to avoid delays. We provide clear timelines from the start and update you regularly during production. This transparency helps you plan your inventory and launch dates with confidence.
Yarn Choices for Softness and Durability
The right yarn makes or breaks a cable knit sweater. We offer a carefully selected range of yarns, including soft acrylic blends, wool blends, and organic cotton blends. Each yarn is tested for shrinkage, pilling, and color fastness before production. We avoid cheap, scratchy yarn that hurts customer experience. For brands focused on comfort, we suggest brushed or cashmere-touch blends. For durability, we recommend stable, low-pill yarns. We share real yarn swatches so you can feel the quality before placing your order. This helps you create sweaters that feel premium and last wash after wash.
Ordering cable knit sweaters does not have to be complicated. At our women’s knit factory, we believe in clear communication, honest answers, and realistic expectations. We break down technical details into simple terms. We support your brand with fair MOQs, proper grading, reliable production, and practical advice. With straightforward policies and consistent quality, we help you build sweaters your customers will love.
