Knitted Cardigans Sourcing Guide for Start-Up Brands: 2026 Guide No.127

Every season the knitted cardigans category in South Korea moves a little earlier, and the buyers who secure capacity in advance keep their margins intact. It is written for Start-Up Brands and covers specification, supplier checks, pricing and the paperwork that protects the order.

Fabric and Construction Basics

Cheap substitutes usually appear in the lining and the trims, so inspect those areas first. A good knitted cardigan starts with the cotton-wool or acrylic blend yarn, so agree the material grade before you discuss price. Specify gram weight, composition and shrinkage tolerance in numbers, not adjectives. For knitted cardigans, the construction matters as much as the fabric: watch the rib trims and button attachment.

Quality Control That Prevents Claims

Insist on a pre-shipment inspection against an AQL plan, with the report sent to you before the goods leave. The critical test for knitted cardigans is dimensional stability after wash, and it should be run on the production batch, not on a golden sample. Book an in-line inspection at 30 percent completion: that is the cheapest moment to fix a problem. Keep an approved golden sample sealed at the factory and a matching one in your office.

Compliance and Sustainability

Request test reports for restricted substances, colour fastness and, where relevant, flammability. Sustainability claims must be backed by traceability, so keep certificates for recycled or responsibly sourced material. Chemical and packaging rules differ by market, so confirm the destination requirements before you finalise the packing spec. Animal-derived fill and trims need documentation, and buyers should keep it on file for the season. For South Korea, check the labelling rules on fibre content, care instructions and the country of origin before printing.

Packaging, Labelling and Shipping

Plan the sailing, not the shipping date: the production calendar should work backwards from the arrival window. Label every carton with the PO number, size, colour and quantity so that receiving is quick and accurate. Insist on moisture protection in transit, because damp cartons are a common cause of mould claims in winter shipments. For a seasonal category, hold a small air-freight allowance back for the fastest-selling colourways.

Planning the Production Calendar

Keep a second qualified factory on file, because a single-source season carries avoidable risk. Book capacity in advance for peak months; a factory that is full in September cannot rescue a late October order. Split large programmes into two or three deliveries so that early stores are fed and later stores are not overstocked. Confirm the trims and the labels before production starts, since late trims delay the whole line, not just your order.

Finding a Reliable Factory Partner

Ask the factory how many knitted cardigans lines it runs and whether your order shares a line with another buyer. Check how the factory handles subcontracting, because hidden sub-lines are the most common cause of inconsistent quality. Ask for the names of two buyers already running knitted cardigans programmes and speak to them directly.

Buyer Checklist

Specification signed, sample approved, inspection booked, packing confirmed, documents ready. Tick these five boxes and your knitted cardigans shipment will most likely arrive as planned.