Knitwear Design: Admission 2025, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Top Colleges, Career Scope

A Knitwear Design course includes the study of wools, yarns and other materials required to create finished knitted clothing. They get knowledge on how to employ machinery, tools and technology to create certain designs and outfits. The Knitwear Design course places a strong emphasis on acquiring skills and knowledge in pattern creativity, knitting and sewing, creating full-length clothing and mediating clothing styles. Knitwear designers play an important part in developing the newest trends and adjusting to changing consumer tastes in the fashion industry, which is always changing.

The Bachelor of Design in Knitwear Design is a three-year undergraduate programme. The course's overarching goal is to produce professionals who can comprehend and apply the complexities and technicalities of knitwear design, production, quality control, promotion, branding, and management.

Students must have passed Class 12 with at least 50% marks from a recognised board in order to be eligible for BDes Knitwear Design. Admission to this degree will be granted based on the candidate's performance in the Class 12 test or their success in the entrance exams administered by admission authorities. Check BDes Course Details

With new scientific inventions, changes and advancements in every industry are being witnessed. Likewise, development in the fashion industry is also being experienced and will continue to grow over time.

New kinds of fibres are being produced, and methods to weave and knit are also evolving. Such emerging techniques and products will keep sprouting from efficient yard spinners and fibre producers, making sure that there is constant progress,  improvement and not a moment of stagnation from their side. Some of the latest and upcoming designing techniques are mentioned below:

• Smart textiles where generally fabric is categorized into five kinds, based on their component fibre. These organic fabrics are silk, wool, linen, cotton and synthetic and inorganic fibre are gold, glass and asbestos. Smart textiles are so-called, as they can detect and respond to spurs from the surrounding nature, which can be biological chemical mechanical or any other type of environment. Soon Knitwear designers are about to work with such textiles and bring a change in the fashion industry.
• 3D Knitwear designing is what is coming next in this field. One can customize styles according to his/ her comfort. 3D Knitwear seems effortless and has a better finish than handcrafted sewed ones. With ecological and environmental issues on the rise, 3D knitting will be a new and fresh approach to reduce it. It will help with sustainable fashion for people because it will help in cost and time, higher productivity, more energy efficiency, and waste reduction.
• Shapewear & seamless garments on customized knitting. This makes attires with the application of circular knitting machines which make the entire clothing with the help of automated computers which has many directions for stitching patterns. And body-mapped.

Yes, you can pursue BDes Kitwear Design after completing Class 12 in Commerce stream. Infact, you can pursue the course after completing Class 12 in any stream be it Science, Arts or Commerce. Just make sure that you have scored at least 50% marks in your 12th board exams. All the best!

 The eligibility criteria is given below for BDes in Knitwear Design from NIFT is given below

 Eligibility : The +2 level examination in the 10+2 pattern of examination of any recognised Central/ State Board of Secondary Examination, such as Central Board of Secondary Education / State Board New Delhi, and Council for Indian School of Certificate Examination, New Delhi. Admission : Admissions are based on NIFT Entrance Exam I. e. Creative Ability Test CAT and General Ability Test (GAT), followed by a situation test to be undertaken by shortlisted candidates of the written examination.

In the sector of design, there are big recruiters looking for applicants with certain skill sets. These abilities enable candidates
to function in a variety of situations. The following skillsets are required of a candidate for Knitwear Design:

• Good communication skills
• Knowledge of colour
• An eye for detail
• Creative and Innovative imagination
• Interest in fashion trends
• Artistic Ability

Most of the colleges and universities offer admission to BDes Knitwear Design on the basis of entrance exams. The step-by-step procedure for entrance-based admission is as follows:
Step 1: Students have to register on the official website.
Step 2: Fill the application form with correct details.
Step 3: After examination, a cutoff list will be released on the website. Seats will then be allotted to candidates based on their scores in the entrance exam.
Step 4: Some colleges also conduct personal interviews and group discussion for admission to this course.
Step 5: On meeting all the eligibility criteria, a student will then be offered admission to the course.

Here are some steps to follow for applying Knitwear Design courses abroad:

• Visit the official website of the university you are interested in pursuing knitwear design.
• Check the course curriculum and the eligibility requirements.
• Click on the application form of the respective university.
• First, you need to create an account using your mobile number or email address.
• You will receive an email or SMS on your registered contact number with login details and verification.
• Use the login details provided and enter your personal details ( name, gender, date of birth)
• Enter your academic qualification and upload the required documents.
• Select the course and pay the application fee.
• The application fee is different for every university and can be paid through debit/credit card or internet banking.
• Submit your application form, you can also track your application form through your account.
• Students that have been selected will be required to attend a virtual interview by some universities.

Here is a list of necessary documents required at the time of submitting your Knitwear Design course application form:

• Official academic transcripts
• Scanned copy of passport
• CV/ Resume
• Letter of Recommendation
• English language proficiency test scores
• Statement of Purpose
• Two Reference Letters
• Postgraduate applicants have to submit a translation of the degree certificate in case the degree certificate is in another language other than English.

NIFT B. Des Exam Pattern 2024 Quantitative Ability - 20 Communication Ability- 25 English Comprehension - 25 Analytical Ability - 15 General Knowledge and Current Affairs 15 Total Number of Questions 100.

As per students who appeared in the NIFT 2024 exam, the diffiulty level of the GAT paper was easy to moderate. Students also found the CAT paper to be pretty easy.

There were some students who found the GK ans Math sections a bit difficut, but the overall sentiment is the NIFT 2024 exam was easy.

Students mainly found the GK section difficult because it contained a number of history-based questions.

Note that Shiksha will also do exam analysis of the NIFT 2025 exam.

It will cover various aspects like overall and sectional difficulty, expected cut-off, section-wise weightage of questions asked, and other key insights. 

The NIFT exam is among the competitive and is also considered among the toughest. So, it is recommended that the candidate starts their exam preparation well in advance, say with around 1 years time in hand. Note that the NIFT exam has various components like written exam and Situation Test /Personal Interview. Candidates seeking admission to the B. Des and M.Des courses need to prepare for both the CAT and GAT. The CAT is a drawing-based exam, meaning the candidate will be evaluated on parameters like intuitive ability, power of observation in concept development, and design ability. Now unless the candidate is already well-versed, developing these skills will take time. So, it is prudent to start early. The same goes for the GAT.

The 'Fundamentals of Textiles' is a theory subject. It is one of the introductory subjects covered in Textile Designing and Knitwear Designing courses. If you join BDes in Knitwear Design then you would study this course in the first semester. As the name suggests, in this subject you will learn about the basics of textiles. You will study some topics like textile fibres, yarn formation process, manufacturing techniques of woven fabrics, dyeing and printing.

Here are some popular Knitwear Design books that can be helpful for students gathering additional knowledge about their field:

• Sweater Design in Plain English by Maggie Righetti.
• Pop Knitting: Bold Motifs Using Color & Stitch by Britt-Marie.
• Knitting To Fit: Learn to Design Basic Sweater Patterns by Elizabeth Ley O'Brien.
• Mother-Daughter Knits: 30 Designs to Flatter and Fit by Sally Melville.
• Gail Selfridge's Sweater Design Workbook by Gail Selfridge.
• The Knitter's Guide to Sweater Design by Carmen Michelson.

Fashion Design and Knitwear Design are both specialized areas within the broader field of fashion, but they focus on different aspects of garment creation and design.

Fashion Designing

1. Scope: Fashion designing encompasses the overall creation of clothing and accessories. It includes various types of garments, such as casual wear, formal wear, sportswear, and more.
2. Skills: Fashion designers need to understand fabric selection, garment construction, pattern making, draping, and trend analysis. They must also be skilled in sketching and using design software.
3. Trends: Fashion designers often work on seasonal collections, responding to trends and consumer demands. Their work may involve designing a complete range of products.
4. Materials: They work with a wide variety of materials, including woven fabrics, non-woven materials, leather, and synthetic textiles.

Knitwear Designing

1. Scope: Knitwear designing is a specialized subfield focused specifically on garments made from knitted fabrics, such as sweaters, scarves, and other knit items.
2. Skills: Knitwear designers need expertise in knitting techniques, yarn selection, and understanding how different stitches and patterns affect the elasticity and drape of the fabric.
3. Trends: While knitwear also follows fashion trends, it has its own unique cycles and styles, often emphasizing texture and comfort. Knitwear designers may focus on seasonal collections but with a specific focus on knit fabrics.
4. Materials: They primarily work with yarns, which can vary in fiber content (wool, cotton, acrylic, etc.) and weight, influencing the final product's look and feel.

Usually the placement scenario in Design colleges is different from that of engineering or medical colleges. However, students with good academic record and exceptional caliber can get placed in good companies. I have mentioned several colleges that offer placement opportunities to students of Knitwear Designing courses:

If you are planning to pursue a Knitwear Design course then you must know that NIFT is one of the most popular options for this course.
NIFT Delhi is renowned for its comprehensive knitwear design programme.NIFT Kolkata offers excellent opportunities with its strong industry connections.NIFT Gandhinagar provides specialised courses and modern facilities for knitwear design.NIFT Chennai is known for its innovative curriculum and experienced faculty.NIFT Bengaluru offers a vibrant learning environment and exposure to diverse design perspectives. NIFT Mumbai provides access to the fashion industry hub, enhancing networking opportunities for knitwear designers. Hope this help. All the best!

Yes, there are a few colleges in India offering distance programs for Knitwear Design:

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

The designing graduates in Knitwear design can join the industry at the below-mentioned job positions: 

Knitwear Designer – The knitwear designer is a specialist involved with the ideation of designs, and patterns and also with manufacturing knitted apparel and accessories. The designers are involved in large-scale as well as exclusive knitwear manufacturing. Moreover, some of the popular designer work as stylists and pattern makers to supply hand sketching or CAD for the production of knitwear.

Fashion Forecasters – The fashion industry is ever-changing, every day a new trend is set, therefore, as fashion forecasters, they are required to research and analyse the worldwide fashion industry. The fashion forecasters work with fashion designers to help them develop new trends for the market,

Quality controllers for fabric – The quality controllers are involved in setting standards for the fabric to differentiate original and quality products from faux material. They are responsible for maintaining a differentiation in the quality of original fabrics from synthetic ones and also making the consumer aware of it. Some manufacturers adopt unethical practices of selling faux material as the original at a high cost. Therefore, it is the job of Quality Controllers to stop such unethical practices.

Product Research Specialist – As a research specialist for knitwear products, one can develop new techniques for product development, quality improvement, and fabric colour enhancement methods. This research help in market research and analysing trends for knitwear products. Product research specialist is highly demanded professionals in the Fashion and Design Industry for their experience and knowledge of market research which is helpful in New Product Development as well as Product Innovation.

Fashion design is a form of art dedicated to the creation of clothing and other lifestyle accessories. Modern fashion design is divided into two basic categories: haute couture and ready-to-wear. Fashion design is influenced by cultural and social latitudes, and has varied over time and place. Fashion designers attempt to design clothes which are functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. They consider who is likely to wear a garment and the situations in which it will be worn. They have a wide range and combinations of materials to work with and a wide range of colors, patterns and styles to choose from. The Knitwear Design specialization offered in Fashion & Textiles has been introduced keeping in view the future requirements of the Indian knitting industry This involves creation of original fabric designs. Knitwear teaches the skills and construction techniques in order to produce quality knitwear designs.Majorly this involves production/design of winter wear. Hope this information helps. Please feel free to revert. Click on the thumbs up or mark it as the best, if you found this useful. Wish You Luck!

The Knitwear industry is composed of a promising future, reinforced with new-age technology, talented Knitwear designers and lots of creativity.

Students belonging to this domain have a wide range of career opportunities in Textile and Knit industry, handloom and handicrafts organizations, NGOs, design studios, export houses and mills. With the boom in online shopping, the scope for designers is only opening more opportunities as buyers and sellers and merchandisers.

During the 4 years of graduation, students are exposed to the education and talent of professional designers and teachers. They learn and enhance their creative vision, technical skills with flat knits, circular knits and computerized knitting. They acquire the wisdom to work for all categories of Knitwear apparel be it, menswear, women's wear, kids wear, sportswear,  leisurewear, winter wear and intimate wear.

They grasp the knowledge of what and which resource is required to knit a fine garment as per needed by the client. The placements at fashion schools are mostly done in private companies, MNCs and startups.

Here are some of the most popular Knitwear Designers:

• Priyamvada Mishra
• Tanya Maheswari
• Vinay Mehra
• Ryan Roche
• Kim Haller
• Buffy Reid
• Sam Leutton
• Jenny Postle
• Angela Bell
• Lindsay Degen

Below points will be helpful for students who are preparing for entrance exams.

• Prepare a time table for studying, include each topic in every subject and follow the time table strictly. After doing this it is confirmed that the syllabus is checked once. Allocate time daily studies.
• Clear up the basics . The Basics will form the base for the more advanced chapter later on. A strong understanding of the basics will be useful.
• Practice previous years papers which will help candidates to have knowledge about paper patterns.
• Allocate time separately for the more difficult topics. If required, take help from the teacher again to go through the topics.