From tech pack approval to delivery at your warehouse, plan for 6–9 weeks using stock yarn colours and 10–14 weeks when the yarn is dyed to your own shade. Published industry benchmarks for a new program run 14–20 weeks — 2–4 weeks sampling, 2–4 weeks pre-production, 8–12 weeks bulk, 2–4 weeks shipping. What decides your date is rarely knitting: it is yarn dyeing, sample approval and freight.
GG stands for gauge — the number of knitting needles arranged within one inch of a flat-knitting machine's needle bed. 3GG = three needles per inch (chunky knits, large visible stitches). 12GG = twelve needles per inch (fine, smooth knits). Higher gauge = finer fabric; lower gauge = chunkier construction. Gauge is a physical machine specification, not a quality score — the right gauge depends on the product brief.
In a cashmere spec, 2/26nm means two individual yarn strands (the "2"), each spun to a metric count of 26 (the "Nm" = metres per gram of single yarn), plied together. Higher Nm = finer singles. Pair count with gauge — 2/26Nm at 7–9GG makes mid-weight pullovers; 2/28Nm at 12–14GG makes year-round refined knitwear; 2/48Nm at 14–16GG makes ultra-fine travel-weight layers.
Grade A averages 14–15.5 microns in fiber diameter with fibers 34 mm or longer. Grade B runs 15.5–19 microns with 28–34 mm fibers. Grade A feels softer, resists pilling far better — because long fibers anchor securely inside the yarn — and costs roughly 1.5–2× more per kilogram.
Verify the factory is real before you discuss price: factory or trading company, machine gauges, traceable yarn source, verifiable certifications (BSCI, OEKO-TEX — checked by certificate number, not logo). Then nail down the commercial terms in writing: MOQ per style and per color, sampling process, QC standard (AQL 2.5), lead time start point, price breakdown, and payment terms (T/T 30/70 is standard — never 100% upfront).
Wholesale Cashmere Sweaters: How to Source,Price and Profit in 2026
Hand wash in cool water at 30°C (86°F) or below using a pH-neutral wool or cashmere detergent. Turn the sweater inside out, soak for 10 minutes, and press the water gently through it — never rub, scrub or wring. Rinse at the same temperature, press out the water, roll the sweater inside a dry towel, then dry it flat and reshape it while damp. Never use hot water, regular laundry detergent, fabric softener, a tumble dryer or a hanger. Washed this way, cashmere gets softer with every wash — not smaller.
KNITWEAR SOURCING GUIDE · FIBER COMPARISON SERIES Which is better — cashmere or wool? Neither fiber wins outright — each wins in a different product role. Cashmere is roughly up to 3× warmer per gram than standard wool, featherlight, and virtually itch-free thanks...
Build your capsule around five core silhouettes — the classic V-neck, shawl-collar, longline coatigan, fine-gauge knitted jacket and cable knit — then add one trend piece (cropped or oversized brushed) for freshness. Stock each style in 2–4 core colors (camel, oatmeal, grey, navy), order 100 pcs per style/color from a custom manufacturer, and refresh silhouettes seasonally rather than colors.
