Custom Beanies & Knit Caps — Winter Headwear Manufacturing
Cuffed and uncuffed beanies in 7gg, 12gg and fine-gauge knit. Acrylic, wool, merino and cashmere for every price point.
Overview
Beanies are the cold-season anchor of nearly every apparel brand's headwear program. CrownsForge produces flat-knit, jacquard-knit and ribbed knit beanies in 4 gauge tiers and 6 yarn quality tiers — from accessible acrylic for promotional and entry-retail programs through luxury cashmere blend for premium fashion. Season planning matters: order between May and July to land Q4 retail inventory in time for cold-weather sell-through.
Built to winter essential standards
- Panels: Knit construction (no panels)
- Structure: Single-layer (light) or double-layer (warm)
- Brim: Cuffed (folded brim) or uncuffed (long beanie)
- Sweatband: Optional satin liner for premium retail
- Eyelets: N/A
Fabric & material options
Choose from our stocked fabric library or specify custom fabric for larger orders. Every fabric is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.
- 100% acrylic 7gg — Budget promotional, mass retail
- Acrylic-wool blend 7gg — Standard retail
- 100% wool 7gg — Premium retail, heritage brands
- Merino wool 12gg — Premium fashion, athletic outdoor
- Cashmere blend — Luxury / capsule programs
- Recycled yarn (rPET / recycled wool) — Sustainability programs
- Fleece-lined acrylic — Cold-weather performance
Logo & decoration options
Every technique below is produced in-house. We can combine multiple techniques on a single cap (e.g. 3D embroidery front + woven label back).
Volume tiers and indicative pricing
Pricing varies with fabric, decoration complexity, and packaging spec. Below are typical ranges; your final quote will be exact to your specification.
| Order quantity | Tier | Indicative FOB / pc (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 - 500 pcs | Entry / Test order | $3.40 – $8.20 | Higher MOQ vs caps — yarn dyeing economics |
| 500 - 1,500 pcs | Standard | $2.90 – $6.80 | Most popular tier for retail brands |
| 1,500 - 5,000 pcs | Wholesale | $2.40 – $5.60 | Multi-color programs OK |
| 5,000+ pcs | Contract | $2.10 – $4.80 | Annual seasonal programs |
Prices shown are indicative FOB Yiwu or Shenzhen in USD. Final pricing depends on chosen fabric, decoration complexity, color count, packaging, and shipping terms. Request a formal quotation for exact pricing.
Certifications applicable to this product
All certifications available with order documentation. Third-party inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or QIMA is welcome at no surcharge.
- BSCI
- Sedex SMETA
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100
- RWS (Responsible Wool Standard)
- GRS (recycled yarn)
Common questions about custom beanies & knit caps
What's the difference between 7gg and 12gg knit?
Gauge (gg) refers to needles per inch on the knitting machine. 7gg is a thicker, more textured knit — the standard for outdoor and casual beanies. 12gg is finer and smoother — the standard for premium fashion and merino-wool athletic beanies. Per-piece cost is similar; the visual and tactile difference is significant.
Why is the beanie MOQ higher than caps?
Beanies require dyed yarn rather than dyed fabric. Yarn dyeing has higher setup cost per color, which forces a 200-piece per-colorway minimum to amortize the dye-lot. If you use stock-color yarn, MOQ can drop to 100 pieces — ask us about available stock yarn colors.
Can you produce jacquard-knit beanies with custom patterns?
Yes. We knit custom Fair Isle, geometric and logo patterns directly into the beanie using up to 4 yarn colors per pattern. MOQ for jacquard beanies is 300 pieces per pattern. We send a knit pattern proof before production.
When should I place a beanie order for Q4 retail?
Place orders between May and July. Sampling 10-14 days, bulk production 30-40 days, sea shipping 25-35 days — that puts inventory in your warehouse by mid-September for Q4 sell-through. Late orders (August) require air freight at significant cost.
What yarn is best for a premium retail beanie?
Merino wool 19-21 micron in 12gg knit — fine enough to feel soft, warm enough for true winter use, and accepts dye cleanly for color accuracy. For ultra-premium positioning, a wool/cashmere blend (typically 90/10) adds noticeable hand-feel and supports a higher retail price point.
Can you do fleece lining inside the beanie?
Yes — micro-fleece liner sewn inside the knit shell. Adds noticeable warmth for cold-climate markets (Northern Europe, Canada, US Midwest). Adds roughly 25-30% to per-piece cost. Particularly popular for hunting, outdoor sport and ski lifestyle brands.
Related guides & sourcing intelligence
Tell us about your custom beanies & knit caps project
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