top of page

6 Best Knitwear and Loungewear Fabrics for Apparel Brands (Tips from Knitwear Manufacturers)

Understanding and choosing the right fabric for your knitwear clothing line is very important, as it can make or break the style. Knitwear is all about comfort and quality and there are a lot of technicalities involved when selecting the right fabric.


Equally important is finding the perfect design that complements the fabric, and it's crucial to team up with experienced knitwear manufacturers who can transform your ideas into actual products at the best possible prices


For brands working in the fields of loungewear, sleepwear, swimwear, casual wear, t-shirts, and hoodies, you should read this quick and simple guide to selecting the right fabric for your brand.


Entering the field of knitwear or loungewear can be exciting, but it's important to acknowledge that there is a vast world of fabrics to explore.


While this blog covers the essentials, it's worth noting that fabric selection goes beyond fiber quality and weaving patterns. There are numerous factors to consider, including fabric weight, stitch type, textile manipulations, printing options, garment washing, and finishing techniques.


With so much to learn, it's best to partner with experienced professionals who can handle the technical aspects while you focus on delivering the best collections for your customers.


Understand these basic fabrics to create high-quality knitwear and loungewear brand. Let's get started!


1. Cotton Single Jersey:

Colorful baby Rompers
Cotton Single Jersey Fabrics are soft to touch and ideal for babywear, kidswear, tshirts and loungwears
  • Lightweight, soft, and breathable fabric.

  • Ideal for everyday wear and basic knitwear.

  • Features a smooth face and a single-knit construction.

  • Product Ideas: T-shirts, tank tops, dresses, and casual wear.

  • Recommendations: Ideal for kid's clothing, babywear clothing, loungewear, sleepwear, and casual clothing


2. Interlock:

Product image of 2 black jersey tshirt hanging in hanger
Interlock is a very popular fabric for t-shirts, casual dresses of women and kids
  • Double-knit fabric with a smooth and flat surface on both sides.

  • Provides excellent stretch and recovery.

  • Suitable for garments requiring structure and shape retention.

  • Product Ideas: Polo shirts, baby clothes, skirts, fitted dresses, and T-shirts

  • Recommendations: Ideal for streetwear brands making custom t-shirts



3. Bamboo Viscose:

loungewear dresses hanging in wooden rack
Bamboo Viscose is a good option for loungwear and babywear
  • A natural fabric derived from bamboo pulp.

  • Luxuriously soft, hypoallergenic, and moisture-wicking.

  • Offers excellent breathability and temperature regulation.

  • Product Ideas: Tops, loungewear, underwear, and baby clothing.

  • Recommendations: Ideal for toddler wear, babywear, and kidswear brands as the fabric is super soft and baby skin friendly.


4. French Terry:

Three sweat pants hanging in a wooden rod
French Terry is an amazing fabric to work with for brands working in winterwears such as sweatshirts and sweatpants
  • This fabric can be found in varying weights from medium to heavy range.

  • Its distinctive character is with loops on the back and a smooth face.

  • Soft, absorbent, and comfortable.

  • Provides excellent moisture management.

  • Product Ideas: Sweatshirts, hoodies, athleisure wear, and loungewear.

  • Recommendations: Ideal for brands working in product categories such as hoodies, sweatpants, sweatshirts, sportswear, swimwear cover-ups, and winter wears.

5. Fleece:

Red, white and grey hoodies hanging
Fleece fabrics provides warmth so outerwears such as jackets and hoodies are perfect products to be made in these fabrics
  • A soft, fuzzy fabric known for its warmth and insulation.

  • Made from synthetic fibers like polyester or a blend of natural and synthetic fibers.

  • It retains heat and dries quickly.

  • Product Ideas: Jackets, sweatpants, blankets, and winter accessories.

  • Recommendations: Consider anti-pill fleece to maintain its appearance over time.



6. Rib:

Tank tops in dispaly in clothing rack
Wide range of products, speically those design which needs good stretchablity prefers to use rib materials, for example yogawear and baby clothings
  • A fabric characterized by raised vertical lines or ribs.

  • Stretchable and excellent for creating fitted garments.

  • Commonly used for cuffs, collars, and waistbands.

  • Product Ideas: Polo shirts, cuffs, turtlenecks, and ribbed sweaters.

  • Recommendations: Ideal for brands working in children's wear, PJ sets, and casual wear.




Understanding the different fabrics used in knitwear manufacturing empowers designers, loungewear brands, and manufacturers to create garments that meet specific needs and preferences. Each fabric offers unique characteristics, from the breathable and versatile cotton single jersey to the plush warmth of fleece. Whether you're aiming for casual comfort or refined elegance, selecting the right fabric is crucial.


At Zeddwork Studio, we work with designers to help them create their private-label clothing brands, we help you out with choosing the right fabric, selecting the right design, and partnering with the best clothing manufacturer customizable to your brand's requirements.


When you work with us, you make informed choices, as we have the expertise and experience of working with a wide range of apparel manufacturing, with us, you can create exceptional knitwear that combines style, functionality, and comfort, resulting in garments that customers will love!


Create beautiful knitwear that stands out from the crowd, and partner with us!


bottom of page