Knit Fabric Manufacturer Since 2009 · China
BIRD'S EYE KNIT · FABRIC SOURCING
Bird's Eye Knit Fabric Manufacturer
Runtang Textile manufactures bird's eye knit fabrics for sports tops, swimwear, cotton T-shirts, polo shirts and skirts. Choose quick-dry polyester, nylon/spandex, polyester/spandex or pure cotton bird's eye in light, breathable weights. Stock orders start at 1 roll (~23 kg) per colour; custom colours start at 200 kg per colour.
12 fabrics online · Explore the details
Collection & Ordering at a Glance
Bird's Eye Knit Fabric for apparel brands, garment manufacturers and fabric sourcing teams.
- Stock MOQ
- From 1 roll (~23 kg) per colour
- Custom MOQ
- From 200 kg per colour
- Lab dip
- 3–5 working daysHow lab dips work
- Bulk production
- 15–25 days
- Payment
- T/T · L/C
- Trade terms
- FOB · CIF · DDP
- Inspection
- 4-point system (ASTM D5430), every roll
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Explore Our Bird's Eye Knit Fabrics
Explore our online bird's eye and mesh knit range, backed by a library of 130 options.
Item No.
NY23020
- Composition
- 50% tencel / 50% cotton
- Weight
- 160 GSM
- Width
- 66.9″ (170 cm)
Item No.
NY23002
- Composition
- 90% polyester / 10% spandex
- Weight
- 180 GSM
- Width
- 63″ (160 cm)
| Item | Composition | Weight | Width | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NY23017 | 100% cotton | 150 GSM | 59.1″ (150 cm) | View specifications |
| NY23018 | 100% cotton | 150 GSM | 59.1″ (150 cm) | View specifications |
| 99173 | 100% cotton | 150 GSM | 59.1″ (150 cm) | View specifications |
| NY23020 | 50% tencel / 50% cotton | 160 GSM | 66.9″ (170 cm) | View specifications |
| 2417 | 100% cotton | 180 GSM | 72.8″ (185 cm) | View specifications |
| NY23002 | 90% polyester / 10% spandex | 180 GSM | 63″ (160 cm) | View specifications |
| NY23015 | 100% cotton | 190 GSM | 70.9″ (180 cm) | View specifications |
| NY23016 | 100% cotton | 190 GSM | 72.8″ (185 cm) | View specifications |
| NY23022 | 100% cotton | 200 GSM | 63″ (160 cm) | View specifications |
| 991237 | 96% nylon / 4% spandex | 207 GSM | 65″ (165 cm) | View specifications |
| NY23014 | 100% cotton | 240 GSM | 70.9″ (180 cm) | View specifications |
| NY23021 | 100% cotton | 240 GSM | 76.8″ (195 cm) | View specifications |
Looking for More Bird's Eye Knit Options?
Our fabric library includes 130 bird's eye and mesh knit options. Contact us for more compositions, weights and colours for your collection.
What Is Bird's Eye Knit Fabric?
Bird's eye knit fabric has a fine pattern of small dots or eyelets, created by tuck stitches that leave tiny recesses across the face. The surface looks a little like a bird's eye and keeps the fabric slightly off the skin, which helps air move and sweat spread. That is why bird's eye is a staple for sports tops and quick-dry tees. In our library, bird's eye and mesh knits are light: most weigh 150–180 GSM, and more than four in five sit below 200 GSM. Polyester, nylon/spandex and polyester/spandex lead for sportswear and swimwear, while our online collection also includes pure cotton bird's eye for casual tees. Bird's eye is not an open mesh, so it gives more coverage than mesh, but light colours can still look slightly sheer.
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Bird's Eye Knit Fabrics by Composition
Synthetic bird's eye covers most sports and swim qualities in our library; cotton bird's eye gives a softer, casual option.
| Fabric type | Fabric examples | Apparel applications |
|---|---|---|
| 100% polyester bird's eye | 140–180 GSM | Sports and quick-dry tops, T-shirts and garment trims |
| Nylon/spandex and polyester/spandex bird's eye | 145–210 GSM, such as 991237 (96% nylon / 4% spandex) at 207 GSM and NY23002 (90% polyester / 10% spandex) at 180 GSM | Swimwear, yoga wear, sports bras and dresses |
| 100% cotton and cotton-blend bird's eye | 150–240 GSM, such as NY23017 at 150 GSM and NY23020 (50% lyocell / 50% cotton) at 160 GSM | Casual T-shirts, skirts and polo shirts |
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Bird's Eye Knit Weights for Your Collection
Choose 150–180 GSM for sports tops, quick-dry tees and swimwear, 160–170 GSM nylon/spandex for yoga tops and sports bras, and 170–240 GSM cotton bird's eye for casual tees, polos and skirts. More than four in five bird's eye qualities in our library weigh under 200 GSM.
Below 200 GSM
8 qualities
200–299 GSM
4 qualities
300 GSM and above
0 qualities
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Bird's Eye Knit vs Pique Knit and Knitted Mesh
All three use small cells or openings to add breathability. Compare coverage and weight before choosing for sportswear.
| Feature | Bird's Eye Knit | Pique Knit | Knitted Mesh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface | Fine dots or tiny eyelets | Small raised cells | Visible open holes |
| Coverage | Mostly opaque | Opaque | Open and see-through |
| Typical weights in our library | 150–180 GSM | 200–280 GSM | 120–180 GSM |
| Main strength | Light, breathable and quick-drying | Crisp texture for polos | Maximum airflow |
| Typical garments | Sports tops, swimwear and tees | Polo shirts and team wear | Linings, panels and layered garments |
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Bird's Eye Knit Fabric Recommendations
Xiwen Zhang, our co-founder and CEO, recommends these bird's eye weights and blends for the sportswear and summer pieces our customers develop most often, drawing on our knit fabric experience since 2009.
LIGHT AND QUICK-DRYING
Sports & Quick-Dry Tees
- Weight
- 150–180 GSM
- Composition
- 100% polyester or polyester/spandex
- Hand feel
- Light, dry and breathable
Read moreRead less — Sports & Quick-Dry Tees
Choose 150–180 GSM polyester or polyester/spandex bird's eye for training tees and quick-dry tops. Sports tops are the largest use for bird's eye in our library. The small eyelets help sweat spread and evaporate, and polyester dries quickly between sessions.
TEXTURE FOR THE POOL
Swimwear & Swim Tops
- Weight
- 160–180 GSM
- Composition
- Nylon/spandex
- Hand feel
- Smooth stretch with fine texture
Read moreRead less — Swimwear & Swim Tops
160–180 GSM nylon/spandex bird's eye works well for swimwear and rash-guard-style swim tops. It adds a subtle texture to plain colours while keeping the stretch and recovery of a swim fabric. Check chlorine and colour fastness requirements on a sample.
STUDIO-READY STRETCH
Yoga Tops & Sports Bras
- Weight
- 160–170 GSM
- Composition
- Nylon/spandex or polyester/spandex
- Hand feel
- Soft, stretchy and breathable
Read moreRead less — Yoga Tops & Sports Bras
For yoga tops and sports bras, start with 160–170 GSM nylon/spandex bird's eye. The texture keeps a close-fitting top from feeling clammy, and nylon/spandex gives a soft, cool hand against the skin.
A CASUAL COTTON OPTION
Cotton Bird's Eye T-Shirts
- Weight
- 150–200 GSM
- Composition
- 100% cotton or lyocell/cotton
- Hand feel
- Soft, light and textured
Read moreRead less — Cotton Bird's Eye T-Shirts
Choose 150–200 GSM cotton or lyocell/cotton bird's eye for casual summer T-shirts. It looks more interesting than plain jersey and feels airy in warm weather.
A LIGHTER POLO
Summer Polo Shirts
- Weight
- 170–200 GSM
- Composition
- 100% polyester or cotton/polyester
- Hand feel
- Light, crisp and airy
Read moreRead less — Summer Polo Shirts
170–200 GSM bird's eye in polyester or cotton/polyester works well for lightweight summer and team polos. It is lighter and more breathable than classic pique, which suits hot-weather uniforms and sports clubs.
TEXTURE FOR WARM-WEATHER SKIRTS
Summer Skirts
- Weight
- 150–190 GSM
- Composition
- 100% cotton
- Hand feel
- Light, with a soft texture
Read moreRead less — Summer Skirts
For light summer skirts, start with 150–190 GSM cotton bird's eye. Pure cotton bird's eye is used mainly for skirts in our library; the fine texture gives a simple pull-on skirt a crafted look. Line pale colours if more coverage is needed.
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Bird's Eye Knit Fabric FAQs
Is bird's eye fabric the same as mesh?
No. Bird's eye has small recessed dots or tiny eyelets but stays mostly opaque, while mesh has open holes you can see through. Bird's eye is a good choice when you want breathability without the coverage problems of mesh.
Which bird's eye fabric is best for sportswear?
Most sportswear bird's eye in our library weighs 150–180 GSM in 100% polyester or polyester/spandex for quick-dry tops, and nylon/spandex for swimwear, yoga tops and sports bras.
Is cotton bird's eye available?
Yes. Our online collection includes 100% cotton and lyocell/cotton bird's eye from about 150 to 240 GSM, used for casual T-shirts, polo shirts and skirts.
Which tests should I set for bird's eye sportswear?
For the polyester and nylon/spandex bird's eye used in sports tees and swim tops, perspiration fastness in both the alkaline and the acid solution (ISO 105-E04) matters as much as washing fastness. Outdoor sportswear also needs light fastness on the 1–8 scale. Swimwear needs chlorinated or sea water fastness on top, so name that test in your specification.
What is the minimum order quantity for bird's eye knit fabric?
Stock fabric orders start at 1 roll (~23 kg) per colour. Custom-colour orders start at 200 kg per colour.
Explore More Fabric Collections
Compare complementary fibres and knit constructions for your next apparel collection.
Bird's Eye Knit Fabric Guides
Read practical guides to fibre blends, garment selection and knit construction.
