Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The global knitting yarn market was valued at approximately USD 10.2 billion in 2021
The global textile market size was valued at USD 993.6 billion in 2021, with knitting contributing significantly
Knit fabrics account for nearly 45% of all apparel fabrics used worldwide
The circular knitting machine market is expected to reach USD 1.4 billion by 2026
The flat knitting machine segment is projected to grow at 5.9% CAGR from 2022 to 2027
China held more than 35% share in the global knitting machine market as of 2020
The U.S. knitting mills industry generated $2 billion in revenue in 2022
Employment in the U.S. knitting mills industry was approximately 11,500 in 2022
Knitted fabrics accounted for about 57% of India’s fabric production in 2021
The European Union exported €5.6 billion worth of knitted or crocheted apparel in 2020
Bangladesh exported $18.7 billion in knitted garments in fiscal year 2020-21
Vietnam's knit garment exports grew by 12% in 2021 to $8.7 billion
Brazil's knitwear production grew by 9.1% year-over-year in 2021
Consumer Preferences and Trends
- In 2022, 61% of new textile startups included knitwear as part of their portfolio
- Women's knitted apparel makes up 70% of the global knitted products market
- Approximately 18% of fashion startups launched in 2022 specialized in sustainable knitwear
- The demand for custom pattern knitwear increased 24% in 2021
- Consumer interest in DIY hand-knitting increased by 78% during the COVID-19 lockdowns
- 64% of designers include knitted garments in their Fall/Winter collections
- In the US, knitwear comprises 43% of all sweater purchases
- Bamboo yarn usage in knitting increased 17% year-over-year in 2021
- 58% of American crafters learned knitting between ages 8–14
- Over 70% of professional hand knitters are women over the age of 40
- In 2021, 1 in 4 U.S. adults engaged in some fiber craft like knitting or crochet
- In 2021, resale of vintage knitwear products saw a 30% increase on platforms like Depop
- The pet apparel market saw a 27% increase in knitted dog sweaters in 2020
- In 2021, 34% of TikTok craft influencers featured knitting regularly
- 12% of yarn sold in the US in 2020 was categorized as eco-friendly and used for knitting
- In 2022, 37% of female fashion consumers preferred knit dresses versus woven
- Knitting-related video tutorials on YouTube increased by 25% in upload volume in 2021
Interpretation
Once a cozy niche, knitwear has stitched itself into the fabric of modern fashion and culture—driven by eco-conscious startups, DIY revivalism, and a consumer craving for custom, comfortable, and often handmade style across all genders, platforms, and even species.
Market Size and Growth
- The global knitting yarn market was valued at approximately USD 10.2 billion in 2021
- The global textile market size was valued at USD 993.6 billion in 2021, with knitting contributing significantly
- The circular knitting machine market is expected to reach USD 1.4 billion by 2026
- The flat knitting machine segment is projected to grow at 5.9% CAGR from 2022 to 2027
- The U.S. knitting mills industry generated $2 billion in revenue in 2022
- Bangladesh exported $18.7 billion in knitted garments in fiscal year 2020-21
- Vietnam's knit garment exports grew by 12% in 2021 to $8.7 billion
- Brazil's knitwear production grew by 9.1% year-over-year in 2021
- The Automated Knitting Machine market is growing at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2028
- In the UK, knitwear sales contributed £1.4 billion to the fashion economy in 2020
- Turkey exported $4.5 billion worth of knitted apparel in 2021
- There was a 22% year-over-year increase in online sales of knitted apparel in 2021
- EU imports of knitwear from Cambodia rose 15% between 2020 and 2021
- Lightweight knitted fabrics have experienced a 12% annual growth in the performance wear sector
- By 2028, the global knitwear market is projected to reach USD 160 billion
- Smart textiles utilizing knit structures are projected to grow at 25% CAGR through 2027
- Men's knitted sportswear sales grew by 11% globally in 2021
- Technical knit fabrics used in automotive textiles grew by 6.4% in 2022
- The knitting yarn subscription box market grew 15% in 2021
- Specialty knitting needles market saw 10% growth in North America in 2022
- Colombian knit exports reached $380 million in 2021
- Digital knitting design software market expected to grow at 6.2% CAGR through 2029
- Smart sportswear including knitted sensors grew 28% in revenue globally in 2022
- Interactive knitwear like haptic feedback gloves is projected to be a $200 million market by 2028
Interpretation
Once seen as a cozy craft, knitting has stitched itself firmly into the global economy's fabric, threading together billions in apparel exports, smart textiles, and high-tech machinery at growth rates that would make any investor drop a stitch.
Material Composition and Fabric Types
- Knit fabrics account for nearly 45% of all apparel fabrics used worldwide
- Knitted fabrics accounted for about 57% of India’s fabric production in 2021
- Wool yarns represent around 22% of the global knitting yarn market volume
- Cotton-based knitwear accounts for 32% of total knit garment production globally
- 88% of knit fabric producers in Southeast Asia use synthetic yarn blends
- More than 60% of fleece used in sportswear is based on knitted structures
- 95% of babywear involves knitted fabric due to comfort factors
- Recycled yarns represent 12% of raw material inputs in knitwear as of 2023
- 82% of thermal underwear uses knitted interlock fabric types
- In Europe, 1 in 7 textiles is made from knitted fabric materials
- Over 90% of t-shirts are based on knitted construction
- By 2025, nearly 65% of intimate apparel is projected to be knitted
- About 30% of global knitted garments use blended fibers for durability
- Kenya’s apparel industry relies on 40% knitwear for AGOA exports
- Knitted elastic fabrics account for 28% of materials used in shapewear
Interpretation
From babywear to sportswear, T-shirts to thermal underwear, the global wardrobe is being quietly stitched together by knits—proving that in fashion, stretch is strength, comfort is king, and the future is firmly looped.
Production Technology and Machinery
- The average circular knitting machine efficiency is approximately 85–90% in developed markets
- Hand knitting accounts for less than 2% of the global knitwear production
- 75% of knitted products are made using circular knitting machines
- The average lifespan of a circular knitting machine is 10–12 years
- More than 19,000 knitting machines were imported to Bangladesh in 2022
- The average time for industrial knitting a sweater is less than 8 minutes
- Seamless knitting technology adoption grew 13% worldwide in 2021
- More than 10,000 patents exist worldwide for knitting-related technology
Interpretation
In a world where less than 2% of knitwear comes from handcraft and a sweater now takes under 8 minutes to industrially produce, the rise of seamless tech and 10,000 knitting patents proves that even an age-old craft can stitch itself a high-tech future—efficiently, circularly, and with 19,000 machines strong in Bangladesh alone.
Regional and Industry Insights
- China held more than 35% share in the global knitting machine market as of 2020
- Employment in the U.S. knitting mills industry was approximately 11,500 in 2022
- The European Union exported €5.6 billion worth of knitted or crocheted apparel in 2020
- Italy is the fourth-largest exporter of knitted garments in the world, worth €3.2 billion in 2021
- 47% of knitwear factories globally are located in Asia-Pacific
- India's Tirupur accounts for 90% of cotton knitwear exports from the country
- Knitwear makes up about 33% of winter clothing sales in Northern Europe
- Germany is home to over 1,500 registered knitting-related businesses
- South Korea exported $2.6 billion in knitted products in 2020
- Japan’s knitwear production declined by 3.1% in 2021
- 40% of small fashion brands outsource knitting to China or Bangladesh
- 20% of functional knit fabrics are used in medical textiles
Interpretation
From Milan’s catwalks to Tirupur’s cotton corridors, the global knitting industry weaves a yarn of high-stakes fashion, industrial might, and strategic stitches—where China holds the spindle, Europe sells the style, and Asia-Pacific spins nearly half the world’s sweaters.