Be A Designer, Gallarate. Knitwear and cashmere for brands.
Knitwear and cashmere, with your name on it.
Jumpers, cardigans, roll-necks and cashmere garments for your brand. We’ll support you every step of the way – from choosing the yarn and the stitch pattern, to finding the right knitwear manufacturer, producing samples and overseeing production.
12 years in the Made in Italy supply chainOver 200 people supported in launching their brandTrustpilot 4.2/5, every review is 5 stars
In brief.
Be A Designer is a design studio based in Gallarate (Varese) which has been supporting emerging designers and brands in the creation and production of their collections for the past 12 years. For knitwear, it works with the brand to develop designs, yarns, stitches and gauges, selects the knitwear manufacturer best suited to the type of garment and the quantities required, and oversees the sample and production processes. Knitwear requires different yarns, machines and manufacturing processes to those used for woven garments: for this reason, costs and minimum order quantities are specified in the quotation once the design and yarn have been chosen.
Service details Knitwear and cashmere
- Who
- Be A Designer, Gallarate (VA)
- What
- Jumpers, cardigans, roll-necks, waistcoats and cashmere garments
- Where
- Specialist knitwear manufacturers, selected on a project-by-project basis
- Minimums
- Subject to a quotation, depending on the yarn, design and knitwear manufacturer
- Customisation
- Yarns, colours, stitches, labels and packaging
- Who it's for
- Brands for women and men, brands launching knitwear ranges, shops
It all starts with the yarn.
In knitwear, the garment begins with the yarn: its composition, count and fineness determine its feel, weight and price. That is why, before creating the sample, the yarn is chosen first, followed by the stitch.
Yarns
Cashmere, merino wool, cotton and blended fabrics, selected on the basis of handfeel, weight and the brand’s positioning.
Stitches and techniques
Braids, ribbing, jersey, jacquard: the stitch and the fineness of the machine give the garment its character.
Finishes
Necks, cuffs, seams and the final wash: the details that set an ordinary jumper apart from one you’d buy again.
A knitwear range or a few pieces for the collection.
Some brands are built around knitwear, whilst others are looking for a jumper or cardigan to round off their collection. In this first call, we’ll work out where to start.
Knitwear range
More styles, yarns and colours, with a clear positioning: a project to be developed through strategy, sample books and the choice of knitwear manufacturer.
Items for the collection
A jumper, a cardigan or a turtleneck to complete your collection, in the brand’s signature style.
In both cases, we start with the yarn and the design: if you don’t have a design yet, the design department will develop one with you.
The right knitwear manufacturer for every type of yarn.
Knitwear is produced in specialist knitwear factories, selected on a project-by-project basis depending on the yarn, the manufacturing process and the quantities involved. We always tell you where it is made and we do not label anything as ‘Made in Italy’ if it isn’t.
Be A Designer doesn’t just handle production. We only undertake pure contract manufacturing for VAT-registered individuals and established companies. Those starting from scratch go through the full programme: it’s the safest way to avoid spending money on production before knowing what to sell, to whom and at what price.
Fabric garments are manufactured near Gallarate; for knitwear, we select the knitwear manufacturer best suited to the yarn and stitch.
From idea to product, in six stages.
The Be A Designer programme, adapted for knitwear. If you already have a design, we’ll start with the stage you need.
Strategy
Who are you selling to, at what price, and which items?
Drawing
The brand’s styles, colours and fits.
Yarn
Composition, title and full stop.
Sample
The first piece to try on and adjust.
Production
Sizes, labels and packaging, subject to checks.
Launch
Content, e-commerce and distribution.
Why Be A Designer and not just any manufacturer.
| Generic manufacturer | Be A Designer | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | A catalogue of jumpers we’ve seen before. | Your brand and a bespoke model. |
| Yarn | The one that costs the least. | Yarn selected on the basis of handfeel, weight and placement. |
| Manufacturer | You’re trying to sort it out on your own, without knowing who does what. | The knitwear manufacturer best suited to the yarn and the stitch. |
| Check | See the garments as they arrive. | Sample tested and corrected prior to production. |
| Transparency | You don’t always know where it’s made. | We’ll tell you where it’s made before you set off. |
How much does a knitwear range cost?
In the knitwear industry, the cost depends primarily on the yarn, followed by the stitch, yarn count, weight of the garment and quantity, and varies considerably from one knitwear manufacturer to another: cashmere costs considerably more than a wool blend. This is why it is specified in the quotation once the style and yarn have been chosen.
| Item | Approximate cost | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Model development | subject to a quotation | Model, style and size range |
| Sample | subject to a quotation | Yarn and processing |
| Production | subject to a quotation | Yarn, garment weight and quantity |
| Brand labels | €0.15–0.20 each | Manufactured on an industrial scale, in a batch of around 1,000 items |
| Packaging | subject to a quotation | Boxes, envelopes and labels |
During the first call, we’ll give you a rough estimate for your project and explain what factors affect the minimum requirements and timelines.
Frequently asked questions.
Be A Designer supports brands in the development of knitwear: designs, yarns, stitches and finishes, selecting the right knitwear manufacturer, samples and production.
No. Be A Designer is a design studio: our knitwear is produced in specialist knitwear factories, selected on a project-by-project basis depending on the yarn, production method and quantity. We oversee the development process and manage the relationship with the knitwear factory.
Yes, cashmere is one of the yarns you can use to develop the range, alongside merino, cotton and blended yarns. The choice depends on the feel you’re looking for, the retail price and the brand’s positioning.
It depends primarily on the yarn, and then on the stitch, fineness, weight and quantity: a cashmere jumper and a woollen blend jumper have very different costs. This is why the price is specified in the quotation; the brand’s labels cost €0.15–0.20 each for a run of around 1,000 pieces.
Minimum quantities depend on the yarn, design and knitwear manufacturer, and are specified in the quotation. During our initial call, we’ll give you a rough estimate for your project.
It depends on the knitwear manufacturer you choose. Be A Designer always states where its products are made and does not label items as ‘Made in Italy’ if they are not.
What else do we do for brands?
Let’s talk about your knitwear.
A free call to discuss the project, the garments and the budget. No obligation.
Or write to [email protected]
Italian 
English 
French 
German 
Spanish 
