Top Knitwear Manufacturers for Startups: Low MOQ & Fast Prototyping (2026)

Launching a knitwear line shouldn’t mean committing to thousands of units or waiting months for samples. If you’re a startup or a small label, you need two things right now: genuinely low MOQs and fast, reliable prototyping.

This guide curates low MOQ knitwear manufacturers across key regions and shares hard metrics—MOQs, sampling lead times, gauge/yarn coverage, and any public pricing or terms—so you can shortlist with confidence.

Quick note: Details below are based on vendor-published info as of 2026-01-29. When a metric isn’t public, we mark it “not public—verify.” Always confirm before you place an order.

Soft CTA: Want a supplier evaluation checklist (tech pack, MOQ tiers, and sample brief templates)? Copy this section into your notes and adapt it to your brand.

How we chose (methodology)

We scored vendors using a weighted blueprint aimed at buyers searching for low MOQ knitwear manufacturers:

• Low-MOQ flexibility by style/color — 24%

• Sampling speed & capability (3D, seamless, complex stitches) — 22%

• Quality & compliance readiness — 16%

• Yarn/machine coverage & scalability — 14%

• Pricing transparency & payment flexibility — 12%

• Logistics reliability & lead times — 12%

Data sources included official vendor pages, standard bodies and certificates, and other authoritative references. We prioritized vendors publishing explicit numbers (MOQs and sampling days). Pricing and terms are subject to change.

Disclosure: Azknit is our product. We evaluated it using the same criteria and weights as other manufacturers in this list.

Comparison table (at a glance)

Below is a snapshot of core metrics. Use it to narrow your outreach list; then confirm details directly with each factory.

Pricing and timelines are examples from public sources where available and may change.

The shortlist: best options for different needs

Tailored Industry — USA

Best for: On-demand, inventory-light launches and zero-MOQ testing.

• MOQ (style/color): Zero MOQ via their on-demand model.

• Sampling lead time & method: Program setup 1–4 months; on-demand fulfillment 3–9 business days per order.

• Yarns & gauges: 3D/WHOLEGARMENT workflow implied; confirm yarn menu and gauge availability.

• Certifications/compliance: Not listed on the cited page.

• Typical price/terms: Not public—verify.

• Pros: Zero-MOQ; fast post-setup fulfillment; US-based shipping advantages.

• Cons: Requires program alignment; fully bespoke specs may need setup time.

• Evidence: See the how‑it‑works page from Tailored Industry’s site.

Reference: Details from the provider’s own overview in the how‑it‑works section.

ASBX — Portugal

Best for: EU-based startups seeking transparent low MOQs and predictable timelines.

• MOQ (style/color): 50–100 units published.

• Sampling lead time & method: Samples available via store; production ~4–6 weeks.

• Yarns & gauges: Knit/circular basics; organic options.

• Certifications/compliance: Not listed on the cited page.

• Typical price/terms: Sample examples under ~€70 (subject to change).

• Pros: Published low MOQs; clear timelines; easy sample ordering.

• Cons: Broader apparel scope; knit specialization may be more basic.

• Evidence: ASBX public pages with Portugal manufacturing details.

Masterknit Peru — Peru

Best for: Very low MOQs (30 units) and access to Peruvian alpaca/cotton.

• MOQ (style/color): 30 units per style published.

• Sampling lead time & method: Not publicly stated.

• Yarns & gauges: Alpaca and cotton focus.

• Certifications/compliance: Not listed on the cited page.

• Typical price/terms: Not public—verify.

• Pros: Extremely low MOQ; strong fiber ecosystem.

• Cons: Missing public sampling days; verify gauges and seamless capability.

• Evidence: Masterknit Peru FAQ and solutions pages.

Clio Knitting Peru — Peru

Best for: Low-MOQ Peru production with published prototype timing.

• MOQ (style/color): 100–150 units depending on sizes/colors.

• Sampling lead time & method: Prototype 12–20 labor days.

• Yarns & gauges: Natural fibers; confirm gauge map.

• Certifications/compliance: Not listed on the cited page.

• Typical price/terms: Not public—verify.

• Pros: Public prototype timeline; Peru fiber strengths.

• Cons: Limited public specs on gauges; pricing not published.

• Evidence: Clio Knitting Peru official site.

Soft CTA: Use the comparison table to pick 3–5 candidates, then send a one‑page tech pack and ask for proto/SMS/PP timelines with gauge and yarn options. It saves weeks of back‑and‑forth.

Knitlab Peru — Peru

Best for: Alpaca and premium cotton knits with transparent MOQ plus order value minimums.

• MOQ (style/color): 80 units per design + $8,000 order minimum.

• Sampling lead time & method: Not publicly stated.

• Yarns & gauges: Alpaca, Pima/Tanguis cotton.

• Certifications/compliance: Not listed on the cited page.

• Typical price/terms: Not public—verify.

• Pros: Clear MOQ and order minimum; premium fiber options.

• Cons: Sampling days not public; verify gauges and lead times.

• Evidence: Knitlab Peru manufacturer page.

Ensucotton — Peru

Best for: Organic Pima cotton knits with published MOQs and sample timing.

• MOQ (style/color): 150 pcs per style-color (4 sizes) published.

• Sampling lead time & method: Samples 8–20 days.

• Yarns & gauges: Organic cotton focus.

• Certifications/compliance: Not linked on the cited page.

• Typical price/terms: Not public—verify.

• Pros: Public MOQ and sample days; organic positioning.

• Cons: Fiber scope narrower; confirm gauge range.

• Evidence: Ensucotton official site.

GUOOU Fashion — China

Best for: China-based OEM/ODM with explicit low MOQ and defined sampling window.

• MOQ (style/color): 100 pcs per style-color published.

• Sampling lead time & method: 10–15 days.

• Yarns & gauges: Broad OEM/ODM scope; confirm gauge coverage and complex stitches.

• Certifications/compliance: Not listed on the cited page.

• Typical price/terms: Not public—verify.

• Pros: Clear low MOQ and sample timing; China supply chain speed.

• Cons: Need to verify yarn/gauge map and compliance.

• Evidence: GUOOU Fashion site.

Dayu Fashion — China

Best for: Private-label sweaters with a clear entry MOQ.

• MOQ (style/color): 100 pcs per style published.

• Sampling lead time & method: Not publicly stated.

• Yarns & gauges: Sweater/knitwear focus; confirm gauges.

• Certifications/compliance: Not listed on cited page.

• Typical price/terms: Not public—verify.

• Pros: Simple entry MOQ; private-label experience.

• Cons: Missing sample-day data; confirm complexity handling.

• Evidence: Dayu Fashion sweater manufacturer page.

Azknit — China

Best for: Fast prototyping and low-MOQ pilot runs in China.

• MOQ (style/color): Startup-friendly ~100 units per style, with flexibility around ~50 for pilots (vendor-claimed; verify).

• Sampling lead time & method: Particularly strong in rapid prototyping, often turning standard sweater samples around in as little as 3–5 days (vendor-claimed; verify).

• Yarns & gauges: Wide yarn and gauge coverage on modern Shima workflows (claimed; verify specifics like 3GG–18GG).

• Certifications/compliance: Not publicly listed on site; verify.

• Typical price/terms: Not public—verify.

• Pros: Fast proto cycles; flexible entry MOQs; broad yarn coverage.

• Cons: Key policies (MOQ, sampling, gauges) not yet published on site; request documentation.

• Evidence: Azknit homepage.

Pand Textile — Turkey (sweatshirt knit reference)

Best for: Turkey-based sweatshirt knit programs with explicit MOQ.

• MOQ (style/color): 100–200 pcs per style published on product page.

• Sampling lead time & method: Samples before mass production; days not stated.

• Yarns & gauges: Sweatshirt/knit; vertical capabilities.

• Certifications/compliance: Not listed on cited page.

• Typical price/terms: Not public—verify.

• Pros: Transparent MOQ; Turkey logistics advantages to EU.

• Cons: Page is sweatshirt-focused, not sweater knit; sample days absent.

• Evidence: Pand Textile sweatshirt page.

Regional breakdown: where each region shines

Asia (China)

If you need speed and cost efficiency, China offers many low-MOQ knitwear manufacturers with short sampling cycles. Pros: rapid prototyping, wide yarn availability, expansive gauge options. Cons: quality and compliance vary—request AQL processes, gauge maps, and yarn traceability before booking.

Europe (Portugal)

Portugal gives you EU proximity, skilled labor, and shorter intra‑EU transit. Pros: transparent MOQs from some providers and strong finishing. Cons: premium pricing vs. Asia; many OEMs are inquiry‑only on MOQs and sampling days.

Turkey

Close to Europe with competitive lead times. Pros: strong vertical setups and duty advantages into the EU. Cons: Public low-MOQ data for sweater knits is thinner; confirm specifics per factory.

Americas (USA & Peru)

Peru is attractive for alpaca and premium cotton with several published low MOQs and some sample-day transparency. The USA has on‑demand 3D knit programs enabling zero-MOQ pilots after setup. Cons: shipping costs (for Peru) and program setup time (for USA on‑demand) can affect speed to revenue.

Pricing notes and typical terms (what to expect)

• Sampling fees: Many vendors charge per proto/SMS; examples like ASBX list sample prices under ~€70, but ranges vary widely. Always ask if sample fees are creditable against bulk.

• Deposits & terms: Expect deposits for first orders; clarify Incoterms (FOB, EXW, DDP) and who books freight.

• Unit pricing drivers: Yarn (wool/cashmere vs cotton), gauge (3GG vs 12GG), stitch complexity (cables, jacquards), finishing steps, and packaging.

• “Subject to change”: Treat all public numbers as directional until quoted. Lock deadlines and tolerances in POs.

FAQ

What is a realistic MOQ for knitwear in 2026?

Published lows commonly range from 50–100 units in Portugal (e.g., ASBX), 30–150 in Peru (Masterknit Peru at 30; Ensucotton at 150), and around 100 in China for many OEMs. Zero‑MOQ exists via on‑demand USA programs after setup.

How fast can I get a sweater sample?

Public examples show 8–20 days (Ensucotton), 10–15 days (GUOOU), and 12–20 labor days for prototypes (Clio). On‑demand 3D knit programs differ: program setup can take 1–4 months, then orders fulfill in 3–9 business days.

Which regions are best for low-MOQ knitwear?

Peru and China have multiple vendors with published low MOQs; Portugal offers at least one transparent option but many OEMs are inquiry-based. The USA provides zero‑MOQ via on‑demand 3D knitting once a program is established.

What certifications matter for knitwear?

Commonly requested: OEKO‑TEX®, GRS, RWS, GOTS/OCS, and social audits like BSCI/WRAP. Ask for certificate IDs or links and check validity dates.

How do I estimate knitwear pricing and shipping?

Send a concise RFQ: yarn/fiber, gauge, stitch detail, size run, quantity by color, packaging, and destination. Request EXW/FOB/DDP quotes and compare air vs. sea transit time/cost.

Next steps

• Shortlist 3–5 factories from the table that match your gauge/yarn and timeline needs.

• Share a one‑page tech pack and request proto/SMS/PP timing, MOQ by style/color, and payment terms.

• Ask for evidence (certificate links, sample logs, gauge map) before committing.

Soft CTA: Ready to move? Use the table above and send your first RFQs today. Keep it simple: one style, one gauge, one yarn to validate speed and quality before scaling.

External evidence links used once each (examples cited above):

• Tailored Industry how‑it‑works page

• ASBX Portugal manufacturing page

• Masterknit Peru FAQs

• Clio Knitting Peru site

• Knitlab Peru manufacturer page

• Ensucotton site

• GUOOU Fashion site

• Dayu Fashion page

• Pand Textile sweatshirt page

• Azknit homepage