Knitting textile technician

Knitting textile technicians perform operations related to setting up knitting processes. They may work in weft or warp knitting factories, using digital information technology (CAD) for patterning. They work in cooperation with the physical laboratory technicians in order to ensure error free knitted fabrics. They are responsible for highest productivity rates.

The following job titles also refer to knitting textile technician:

lace knitting technician
knitting machinist
knitting technician
knitting programmer technician
jacquard knitting technician
knitting machine tender
knitting textile technicians
textile knitter
seamless technician and designer
circular knitting technician
knitting department manager

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a knitting textile technician.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Knitting textile technician is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to knitting textile technician.

braiding textile technician
weaving textile technician
nonwoven textile technician
knitting machine supervisor
glove maker

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of knitting textile technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of knitting textile technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

textile chemical quality technician
textile operations manager
textile sourcing merchandiser
textile quality technician
textile process controller

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of knitting textile technician.

• Knitting machine technology: Manufacturing technologies which use loop forming techniques to convert yarns into fabrics in order to form knitted fabrics.

These skills are necessary for the role of knitting textile technician.

• Distinguish accessories: Distinguish accessories in order to determine differences among them. Evaluate accessories based on their characteristics and their application in wearing apparel manufacturing.
• Use weft preparation technologies: Prepare bobbins to be used in textile processing.
• Develop specifications of technical textiles: Developing specifications for fibre based technical products with functional performances.
• Control textile process: Planning and monitoring textile production to achieve control on behalf of quality, productivity and delivery time.
• Measure yarn count: Be able to measure yarn length and mass to assess fineness of roving, sliver and yarn in different measuring systems.Also able to convert into the various numbering system such as tex, Nm, Ne, denier, etc.
• Distinguish fabrics: Distinguish fabrics in order to determine differences among them. Evaluate fabrics based on their characteristics and their application in wearing apparel manufacturing.
• Set-up weft knitting machines: Prepare weft knitting machines. Activities related to preparing for weft knitting process, knitting to specification and keeping the work area clean and safe.
• Use warp knitting technologies: Use warp knitting machine technologies that enable the formation of fabrics. Able to set machines for warp knitting, colour and pattern for monitoring and controlling the warp knitting process on electronic automatic warp knitting machines equipped with multifunction microprocessor and software.
• Draw sketches to develop textile articles using softwares: Draw sketches to develop textiles or wearing apparel using softwares. They create visualisations of the motives, patterns or products in order to be manufactured.
• Manufacture weft knitted fabrics: Perform the operation, monitoring and maintenance of machines and processes to manufacture weft knitting fabrics.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of knitting textile technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Portfolio management in textile manufacturing: The process of managing teams and projects in textile and clothing product development.
• Textile technologies: Textile technologies to design, manufacture and evaluate the properties of textiles.
• Properties of fabrics: The influence of chemical composition and molecular arrangement of yarn and fibre properties and fabric structure on the physical properties of textile fabrics; the different fibre types, their physical and chemical characteristics and different material characteristics; the materials used in different processes and the effect on materials as they are processed. 

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of knitting textile technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Manufacture knitted textiles: Perform the operation, monitoring and maintenance of machines and processes to manufacture knitted products keeping efficiency and productivity at high levels.
• Maintain work standards: Maintaining standards of work in order to improve and acquire new skills and work methods.
• Test physical properties of textiles: Evaluate the physical properties of textiles by using testing methods, normally in accordance with a standard. It includes fibre identification and trouble shooting.
• Draw sketches to develop textile articles: Draw sketches to develop textiles or wearing apparel by hand. They create visualisations of the motives, patterns or products in order to be manufactured.
• Process man-made fibres: Converting synthetic granule into man-made-fibres such as filament yarns or staple fibre yarns.
• Design warp knit fabrics: Developing structural and colour effects in warp knitted fabrics by using the warp knitting technique.
• Use warp preparation technologies: Use warping, sizing, drawing-in and knotting technologies that enable the formation of warps.
• Evaluate textile characteristics: Evaluate textiles and their properties in order to manufacture products in conformity with specifications.
• Check quality of products in textile production line: Check characteristics of textile products like yarns, woven, knitted, braided, tufted or nonwoven textiles, finished cloths, ready-make-garments and determine the product quality along different stages of the textile or clothing production line.

8152 – Weaving and knitting machine operators

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References

1. Knitting textile technician – ESCO