knitting manufacturer

[Jbird]

i am looking for knitwear manufacturer to make a new design. i have had one made to date and now i have a pattern. i also have some q`s about being able to protect the design, any information or contacts would be much appreciated

[buildersmate]

Not sure what this is actually asking.
If you are looking for a manufacturer because you want to place a commercial contract for say 10000 of your design for you to then sell, then I'd suggest you use something like Kellys Directory or equivalent to find potential manufacturers. Somewhere in the Leicester area would be a good place to start.
If you are hoping they are going to buy your design and pay you a fee for doing so, you need to be talking to the design houses. They have their own designers so it would have to be something remarkably unique or innovative for them to be interested.
Knitwear is segmented between 1) retail outlets, 2) designers and 3) manufacturers, although 1 and 2 are sometimes combined. And these days much of 3 goes on in the Far East.