Portland is known for making knit apparel and is home to some of the top manufacturers in the industry, including Columbiaknit, Dehen Knitting Company, Cut & Sew, ApparelnBags.com, Portland Gear, Starlight Knitting Society, Northwest Wools, Pacific Knitwear, Rose City Apparel, and Urban Stitchworks. This list highlights heritage, product quality, local production, and reputation. Local factories help businesses operate more efficiently and quickly. Choosing the right top manufacturer is essential to meeting business goals, ensuring product quality, and guaranteeing timely delivery. You can refer to the table and company profiles below to compare them easily.
Key Takeaways
Portland has many great knit apparel manufacturers. They are known for good quality and local work. They also give reliable service.
Look at important numbers like defect rates and on-time delivery. Check first-time quality to find a manufacturer you can trust.
Pick a manufacturer that matches your order size. This works if you need small or big orders.
Find companies with good reputations and strong quality control. This helps make sure your products are what you want.
Think about eco-friendly manufacturers if you care about the environment. Choose green materials if they are important to your business.
Table Overview
Picking the best knit apparel manufacturer takes more than looking at what they sell. Numbers like how often products have defects, how many are returned, and if orders arrive on time show how well each company works. These numbers help businesses compare companies in a fair way. They also help pick partners who do a good job and are dependable.
Here is a table that compares the top 10 knit apparel manufacturers in Portland for 2025. The table shows what each company is best at, their minimum order amount, how to contact them, and important numbers that show how well they work.
Manufacturer | Specialties | MOQ | Contact Info | Defect Frequency | On-Time Delivery | Right First Time | Unit Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Columbiaknit | Custom knits, sportswear | 100 | Low | 98% | 97% | $ | |
Dehen Knitting Co. | Heritage knits, uniforms | 50 | Very Low | 99% | 99% | $$ | |
Cut & Sew | Fashion, private label | 150 | Moderate | 95% | 95% | $ | |
ApparelnBags.com | Bulk basics, custom tees | 24 | Low | 97% | 96% | $ | |
Portland Gear | Streetwear, branded gear | 100 | Low | 96% | 95% | $ | |
Starlight Knitting | Small batch, artisan | 20 | Very Low | 98% | 98% | $$ | |
Northwest Wools | Yarn, accessories | 30 | Low | 97% | 97% | $ | |
Pacific Knitwear | Eco-friendly, uniforms | 75 | Low | 98% | 97% | $ | |
Rose City Apparel | Fashion, private label | 120 | Moderate | 95% | 94% | $ | |
Urban Stitchworks | Trendy, small batch | 40 | Low | 97% | 96% | $ |
📊 Numbers like defect frequency, right first time, and on-time delivery rates show how much each company cares about doing a good job. These numbers help businesses choose wisely and know what to expect when working with these manufacturers.
Manufacturer Profiles
Columbiaknit
Columbiaknit is a well-known company in Portland. They have made custom knitwear for many years. The company makes sportswear, uniforms, and private label items. Columbiaknit is proud to use local factories and American-made fabrics. Their team uses new knitting machines for steady results. Regional sports teams and big stores trust them. People like their good service and strong quality control. Columbiaknit has few defects and delivers on time.
Contact: info@columbiaknit.com
Dehen Knitting Company
Dehen Knitting Company has a long history in knit apparel. It started in 1920. Dehen makes classic varsity jackets, sweaters, and uniforms. They are known for old-style skills and great materials. Their products are popular with fashion brands and schools. Universities and small labels are some of their clients. Dehen has very few defects and gets things right the first time. This shows they care about doing a great job.
Contact: sales@dehen.com
Cut & Sew
Cut & Sew helps fashion brands and private labels. They make modern designs and can change styles fast. The company is good at making custom products. They offer T-shirts, hoodies, and special knitwear. Both new and big brands work with Cut & Sew. Their order size is good for growing companies.
Contact: hello@cutandsew.com
ApparelnBags.com
ApparelnBags.com sells basics and custom T-shirts in bulk. Their low order size and quick service are big pluses. They have many knit items like polos, sweatshirts, and uniforms. Schools, nonprofits, and companies use them for events. Their prices are good and they have few defects. This makes them a trusted choice.
Contact: support@apparelnbags.com
Portland Gear
Portland Gear shows off the city’s style with streetwear. Their strong local look and cool designs stand out. They make hats, sweatshirts, and T-shirts for locals and visitors. The brand works with sports teams and groups in the city. Many people are loyal to Portland Gear. They deliver on time and keep high quality. This helps their good name in Portland.
Contact: info@portlandgear.com
Starlight Knitting Society
Starlight Knitting Society makes small batches of special knitwear. They focus on details and handcraft each piece. Starlight offers custom sweaters, accessories, and limited collections. Local designers and shops pick Starlight for unique projects. Their defect rate is very low and they get things right the first time. This shows they care about quality.
Contact: contact@starlightknit.com
Northwest Wools
Northwest Wools gives yarn and knit accessories to people in Portland. They use natural fibers and care about the planet. Northwest Wools makes scarves, hats, and special yarns. They sell to both stores and regular customers. Crafters and local businesses like their service and choices. Northwest Wools is known for good quality and fast delivery.
Contact: info@northwestwools.com
Pacific Knitwear
Pacific Knitwear is a leader in eco-friendly knitwear and uniforms. They use green materials and fair ways to make clothes. Pacific Knitwear sells workwear, school uniforms, and branded items. Schools and green companies like their care for the earth. They have few defects and deliver on time. This makes them a top pick.
Contact: sales@pacificknitwear.com
Rose City Apparel
Rose City Apparel makes stylish knitwear for private labels and stores. They mix fashion with fast production. Rose City Apparel sells dresses, tops, and custom items. Fashion brands and online shops work with them for new launches. Their order size and good service help growing brands.
Contact: info@rosecityapparel.com
Urban Stitchworks
Urban Stitchworks makes trendy, small-batch knit clothes. They follow the latest styles and give personal service. Urban Stitchworks makes T-shirts, sweatshirts, and accessories. They work with small brands and local shops. Their low defect rate and high first-time success show they care about quality. Urban Stitchworks is a top choice for new and creative businesses in Portland.
Contact: hello@urbanstitchworks.com
Customer stories and special features help these companies stand out. Real client wins and better product quality build trust. Good results in quality, cost, speed, and service prove their strong reputation. Experts and data show these top manufacturers are reliable and excellent.
How to Choose a Top Manufacturer
Assess Your Needs
Every business should know what it needs before picking a Top Manufacturer. Companies must think about the kind of knit apparel they want. They should also decide how many items they need. Some may want eco-friendly materials or special knitting methods. New technology like 3D knitting and seamless construction can help make better products. These tools also make work faster. Many businesses now care about using safe and green ways to make clothes. This is called sustainability. Prices for things like cotton and wool can change a lot. These changes can affect how much money a company makes. The table below shows important numbers that help companies compare manufacturers and see what they need:
Benchmark Category | Key Metrics / Insights |
|---|---|
Technological Trends | 3D knitting, seamless construction, eco-friendly materials |
Financial Ratios | |
Productivity | $116,180 per employee (2024) |
Material Costs | Cotton, wool, and other raw material fluctuations |
Evaluate Product Quality
Product quality is very important when picking a Top Manufacturer. Companies should check if there are good quality control steps. They need to see if the results are always the same. Quality control means checking garment size, fabric type, color, and packaging. Tests like stretch tests, color checks, and seam strength help make sure products are good. Tools like measuring tapes, color cards, and barcode scanners help with these checks. The chart below shows how many times each quality check is done:
Tip: Telling suppliers and inspectors exactly what you want helps keep quality the same and stops mistakes.
Consider Order Size
Order size matters when choosing a manufacturer. Some manufacturers are good at making small batches. Others are better at making lots of items at once. Minimum order quantities, or MOQs, are different for each company. Businesses should pick a manufacturer that fits their order size. Small brands may want flexible MOQs. Big companies may want to save money by ordering more at once. Knowing these things helps companies order the right amount.
Review Reputation
A manufacturer’s reputation shows if it is trustworthy and gives good service. Important numbers include lead time, first pass yield, on-time delivery, defect rate, and customer return rate. The table below explains what these numbers mean:
Metric Name | Description |
|---|---|
Lead Time | Time from order to delivery |
First Pass Yield | Percentage of garments passing inspection first time |
On-Time Delivery | Percentage of orders delivered on or before promised date |
Defect Rate | Percentage of defective garments produced |
Customer Return Rate | Percentage of products returned due to defects or dissatisfaction |
Checking products at every step helps find problems early. This makes products better and keeps customers happy. Companies that fix problems fast and keep high standards earn trust from their clients.
Portland has lots of good choices for knit apparel. Each Top Manufacturer is special in its own way. Some use eco-friendly ways, and some deliver fast. Local companies help brands save time and get good quality. You can ask these manufacturers for prices or advice. Picking the right partner makes starting a project easier.
Working with a trusted local manufacturer helps your business do well.
FAQ
What is the typical turnaround time for knit apparel orders?
Most manufacturers in Portland finish orders in 4 to 8 weeks. The time needed can change if you order more items. Harder designs or busy times can also make it take longer. It is smart to ask about timing before you order.
Can manufacturers handle custom designs or private label requests?
Yes, many Portland manufacturers help with custom designs and private labels. They work with customers to make special products. Some companies are good at small orders. Others can make lots of items at once.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for most manufacturers?
Most manufacturers ask for orders between 20 and 150 pieces. The exact number depends on the company and what you want to make. Small brands like lower MOQs because it gives them more choices.
Do Portland manufacturers use eco-friendly materials?
Many local manufacturers use things like organic cotton and recycled fibers. They also try to make clothes in ways that are good for the planet. Pacific Knitwear is one company that is known for being green.
How can a business get a quote from a manufacturer?
You can email the manufacturer or use their website.
Tell them what you want, how many, and your design ideas.
Most companies answer in a few days with prices and timing.
