One of the most costly mistakes knitwear buyers make is ordering too late. Peak season production slots fill up months in advance, and by the time most buyers realise they need to place an order, the best factories are already full. This guide gives you the exact windows to target for each season.
Why timing matters in knitwear
Knitwear production is slower than cut-and-sew garments. A sweater requires: yarn sourcing (2–5 days), knitting (5–15 days depending on complexity), linking and sewing (3–7 days), finishing and QC (3–5 days), and packing (2–3 days). Total bulk production for a typical order is 25–40 working days — and that's after sample approval.
During peak season (June–August for autumn/winter orders), every factory in Dalang is running at full capacity. New orders get pushed to the back of the queue. If you order in July for an October delivery, you're competing with hundreds of other buyers who ordered in March.
Seasonal production calendar
| Season | Ideal order window | Last possible | Risk if you wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn/Winter | March – May | June (with premium) | Delayed delivery, rushed QC |
| Spring/Summer | October – January | February (with premium) | Limited factory availability |
| Holiday/Christmas | April – June | July | Express shipping costs |
| Chinese New Year buffer | Allow +2 weeks in Jan/Feb | — | Factory closure, staff shortage |
Full timeline from idea to delivery
Working backwards from a target in-store date, here's what a realistic timeline looks like:
- Week 1–2: Brief sent, quote received, yarn swatches approved
- Week 2–4: First sample produced (7–10 working days)
- Week 4–6: Sample revision (if needed, add 5–7 days per round)
- Week 6–8: PP sample approved, production deposit paid
- Week 8–14: Bulk production (25–40 working days)
- Week 14–15: QC, packing, export documents
- Week 15–19: Sea freight to Europe/US (25–35 days)
Total from brief to in-store: 4–5 months minimum. This is why March is the right time to start for autumn, not June. Read our sampling guide to understand where time is most commonly lost.
How to lock in production capacity early
The best factories fill their books with repeat customers first. New buyers trying to place a large order in peak season often find no capacity available. The solution is to build the relationship before you need it urgently. Place a smaller test order out of peak season, establish the relationship, and you'll be prioritised when the busy season comes. This is one of the structural advantages of choosing a factory carefully rather than just going with whoever quotes cheapest in a rush.
Ready to start your knitwear project?
Lin Sweater Factory — Dalang, Dongguan. MOQ from 50 pcs. Reply within 24 hours.