Hey there, if you’ve ever run your fingers over a soft hoodie, a stretchy pair of leggings, or even a cozy winter scarf, you’ve touched knitted fabric—no matter if you’re a fashion designer sourcing for your next line, a small boutique owner restocking essentials, or just someone curious about what’s in the stuff you wrap yourself (or your customers) in. As a knitted fabric supplier, I get asked this question all the time: “What even goes into making knitted fabric?” I don’t mean the generic, Googleable “cotton or polyester” answer— I want to break down the real, usable stuff we actually work with day to day, the pros and cons of each, and when you’d reach for which. Let’s dive in, no fancy jargon, just straight talk. Knitted Fabric
First off, let’s keep this simple: knitted fabric is made from yarns, and those yarns come from three main buckets: natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and blends (because let’s be real, half the time you want the best of both). Let’s start with the old reliables because they’ve been around forever and still make up most of the stuff we ship out.
Cotton is the OG, right? It’s super versatile, breathable, and feels soft against the skin—so it’s everywhere, from baby onesies to basic t-shirts. Wait, but not all cotton is the same. I see a lot of folks just grabbing “regular cotton” and being surprised when it shrinks after the first wash. What’s the deal there? Regular ring-spun cotton is spun with a twist that makes it strong, but it’s not always pre-shrunk. That’s why we often offer combed cotton, too—they go through an extra step to remove all the short, stubby fibers that cause pilling and shrinkage. Combed cotton feels way smoother, too, which is why it’s used for premium tees and loungewear. And if you’re into sustainable stuff, organic cotton is non-negotiable. No toxic pesticides, no genetically modified seeds, and it’s way better for the farmers growing it (and the planet) than conventional cotton. The only downside? It’s not the most stretchy stuff on its own—so if you need something with give, you’ll need to mix it with another fiber.
Next natural fiber that’s super popular with our clients is wool. I’m not just talking about scratchy old sweaters, either. Merino wool is a game-changer for anyone who’s never tried it. It’s ultra-soft, doesn’t hold odor even if you wear it all day, and it wicks moisture way better than cotton—perfect for workout gear or outdoor apparel. The catch? It’s more expensive, and it can be prone to shrinking if you wash it in hot water. Then there’s acrylic? Wait no, acrylic is synthetic, hold on. Wait, another natural one that’s blowing up right now is bamboo fiber. Bamboo is super sustainable—bamboo grows way faster than cotton, needs less water, and it’s naturally anti-bacterial. Bamboo knitted fabric is buttery soft, stretchy, and lightweight, which is why we use it for a lot of high-end loungewear and bed sheets. The only tiny con? It can be a little less durable than cotton if it’s not processed right. We always make sure our bamboo yarns are OEKO-TEX certified, so no weird chemicals left over after production.
Now, the synthetic side of things. A lot of people think synthetics are all scratchy or bad for the environment, but modern synthetics are way different than the stuff your mom wore in the 80s. Polyester is the workhorse of the knitted fabric world. It’s cheap, super durable, doesn’t shrink or wrinkle, and it’s perfect for activewear because it wicks moisture away from your body. That’s why you see it in every gym shirt and running leggings. Wait, but there’s a catch: basic polyester is plastic, so it sheds microfibers when you wash it. We’ve started offering recycled polyester a lot lately—made from old plastic bottles, it cuts down on waste and performs almost exactly the same as virgin polyester. It’s a win-win for clients who want sustainability without sacrificing function.
Then there’s spandex (also called Lycra or elastane, depending on the brand). This is the stretch that makes knitted fabric what it is. Without spandex, leggings would be stiff, swimwear would fall off, and shapewear would do nothing. We usually add 2-10% spandex to most of our fabrics, depending on what the client needs. 2% is enough for a little give in a t-shirt, 10% is for super tight workout gear or swimwear. The downside? Spandex breaks down if you dry it on high heat, so we always tell clients to line dry or tumble dry low if they want their fabrics to last.
Another synthetic that’s gained a lot of traction is nylon. Nylon is super strong, more durable than polyester sometimes, and it’s used for stuff like socks, hosiery, and outdoor gear. It’s also lightweight and quick-drying, which is why it’s popular for activewear and outerwear lining. The only thing is, it can be a little more slippery than other fabrics, so it’s not great for things like basic t-shirts that you want to hold their shape.
Now, blends. This is where the magic happens, and this is probably what 70% of our clients actually end up buying. Why? Because blends let you combine the best traits of each fiber. For example, cotton-spandex blends: you get the soft, breathable feel of cotton plus the stretch of spandex. That’s the stuff that goes into most modern t-shirts and leggings—way better than 100% cotton for everyday wear. Another big blend is polyester-merino wool. You get the odor-resistant, moisture-wicking properties of merino wool without the high price tag, and it’s way less prone to shrinking than 100% wool. We also do bamboo-cotton blends for loungewear—soft as bamboo, durable as cotton, perfect for people who want that cozy but long-lasting feel.
Wait, let’s talk about some of the more niche materials we work with too, because we get requests for all kinds of stuff. For cold-weather fabrics, we have fleece, which is usually made from 100% polyester but can be blended with a little spandex for stretch. It’s super warm, lightweight, and doesn’t hold water like wool. Then there’s French terry, which is that soft, looped fabric you see on the inside of hoodies—usually cotton or a cotton-poly blend. It’s cozy, not too thick, perfect for layering. And if you’re into swimwear or sportswear, we have polyester-polyamide blends (polyester plus nylon) that are chlorine-resistant, so they don’t break down from pool water or sweat.
A lot of new clients come to us worried about choosing the right material, right? They don’t know if they need something for a summer t-shirt, a winter sweater, or workout gear. Let me give you a quick cheat sheet I’ve picked up over the years: if you’re making something for hot weather, go for 100% combed cotton or a cotton-bamboo blend—breathable, soft, won’t make you sweat too much. If it’s activewear or swimwear, go for a polyester-spandex or nylon-spandex blend—stretchy, moisture-wicking, durable. If it’s loungewear or casual wear, cotton-spandex or merino wool is perfect—cozy, has a little give. And if you care about sustainability, opt for organic cotton, recycled polyester, or bamboo blends—most of these are just as good as conventional options, if not better.
Wait, I should address a common myth here: a lot of people think “natural = better” and “synthetic = bad.” But that’s not always true. For example, 100% cotton t-shirts can shrink if they’re not pre-shrunk, but a cotton-spandex blend won’t. Recycled polyester is way better for the planet than conventional cotton, because it uses less water and energy. It’s all about what you need the fabric to do, not just where the fiber comes from.
As a knitted fabric supplier, I’ve learned that the material isn’t the only thing that matters—how the yarn is spun and the knit structure matters too, but that’s a whole other conversation. The fiber is the base, though, so if you get that right, the rest falls into place. We’ve had clients come to us looking for a fabric that’s soft enough for baby clothes but durable enough for constant washing, and we’ve landed on a 95% organic cotton / 5% spandex blend that’s been their best-seller for two years. Another client needed something for high-performance hiking socks, so we went with a 70% merino wool / 25% recycled polyester / 5% spandex blend that wicks moisture and doesn’t smell even after a week of wearing.
At the end of the day, choosing the right knitted fabric material is all about balancing your needs: comfort, durability, function, sustainability, and budget. If you’re not sure what’s right for your project, just reach out—we don’t push the most expensive stuff, we help you figure out what works for you. Whether you’re a small startup making your first line of tees, a boutique restocking winter wear, or a larger brand looking for a new sustainable material, we’ve got the knowledge and the fabrics to fit. We work with all kinds of clients, from folks who need 50 yards to those who need 50,000 yards, so no order is too small or too big.
If you’re sourcing knitted fabric and want to chat about the right materials for your next project, hit us up to connect for a sourcing and quality consultation. We’re here to help, not just sell fabric.
Sportswear Fabric References:
- Textile Institute. (2022). Knitted Fabric Manufacturing: Fiber Selection and Application. Textile Institute Press.
- Organic Trade Association. (2023). Global Organic Cotton Production and Supply Chain Report. Organic Trade Association.
- European Commission. (2021). Synthetic Fiber Sustainability: Recycled Polyester and Elastane in Textiles. EU Environment Agency.
- Bamboo Textile Association. (2022). Properties and Processing of Bamboo-Based Knitted Fabrics. Bamboo Textile Association Report.
- Woolmark Company. (2023). Merino Wool Performance in Active Apparel. Woolmark Technical Guide.
Hangzhou Kangsheng Textile Co., Ltd.
Hangzhou Kangsheng Textile Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional knitted fabric manufacturers and suppliers in China. We have world-leading production equipment and strong manufacturing capabilities. Please rest assured to wholesale bulk high quality knitted fabric from our factory. Also, custom service is available.
Address: 22# Building, K7 Original park,No.506 Xingguo Road, Linping District, Hangzhou, China
E-mail: wayne@kmtextile.net
WebSite: https://www.kangshengtextile.com/
