Knitters knits sweater panels manually on a flat knitting machine as per the design provided to them. In piece rate production knitting one worker makes all 4/5 panels (front, back, collar, and 2 sleeves panels, etc.). The number of a sweater panel may increase depending on style. Like a high fashion, a sweater might have side pockets, and belt, front placket. Sweater collar is made in separate knitting machines with the same batch/lot of yarns. Flat knitting machines are available in different gauze settings to produce sweaters for different weights. Small components like placket and belts are made in automatic knitting machines.
