There are a few things to consider when purchasing knitwear from an ethical and sustainable standpoint. In the first instance, you should be looking for natural fibres. It’s surprising how well polyester can pass off as wool. Always check the labels to avoid buying items that are made from synthetic fibres as they’ll easily lose shape, are often poor quality, and won’t break down in landfill at the end of their life. Most of the genuine knitwear on the market will be made from lovely natural fibres such as wool or recycled wool or cotton or organic cotton.
If you are buying wool, it’s good to consider animal welfare as well. Most ethical brands will be transparent about where they source their wool and ideally will disclose if they only work with farmers who treat their animals well and specifically don’t engage in mulesing.
Finally, like all products we purchase, we should know that the people assembling or knitting the garments are treated with respect and have a safe working environment. These are my picks for ethically made, sustainable knitwear.
1. Kowtow
New Zealand’s favourite ethical clothing essentials brand has a range of beautiful knitwear to boost your wardrobe. From the classic pull over to beautiful button ups, the range includes new and old styles in primary colours red, navy and yellow. Kowtow’s knitwear range is made from 100% fair trade certified organic cotton, and has a soft textured hand feel. It is individually knitted to eliminate yarn waste. The brand’s garments are made in a transparent supply chain, which works with fair trade certified farmers and manufacturers from seed to garment.
2. Revel Knitwear
Revel Knitwear makes quality knitwear with a focus on sustainability from design to delivery. The range of bright and bold garments are made to order to reduce excess stock and waste, and are hand-knitted in Australia by a group of local home knitters. Revel Knitwear opts for natural fibres such as locally sourced pure wool and alpaca wool and cotton, to ensure there’s something for everyone. Shop for classic and oversized cuts, plus a sweater for bub!
3. La Sierra
Melbourne-based brand Le Sierra works with artisan communities in South America to produce its luxurious and sustainable alpaca hair knitwear. The brand says it follows fair trade principles, enabling artisan communities to make a sustainable living for their families. The small batch garments are hand crafted by artisans they work with directly in Ecuador and Peru. The La Sierra collection includes basics, scarfs and super soft jumpers.
4. Standard Issue
New Zealand-based brand Standard Issue is challenging the norm with its small batch, consciously made knitwear. The brand was founded on a desire to create timeless garments defined by nature and cherished for a lifetime. As such, every garment bears consideration for the environment with the brand choosing natural or recycled fibres and using innovative production technologies and partnerships to eliminate textile waste. Shop for stunning New Zealand made knitwear in cashmere, merino, alpaca, possum merino and cotton-cashmere blends.
5. Nancybird
Melbourne-based ethical fashion house Nancybird designs art to be worn, collected and admired. The brand’s womenswear collection features its seasonal prints across a range of styles including an extensive knitwear range (think pullovers, button ups and vests) in natural fibres including cotton, wool and mohair. Nancybird says its garments and accessories are mindfully made, and the brand publishes detailed information about its manufacturers on its website here. The brand only works with independently audited manufacturers it has visited personally.
6. Loris Knitwear
Photos by: Nella Fullard
Loris Knitwear blends old and new with super funky 90s-inspired jumpers, scarfs, button ups and beanies (think patchwork and polka dots). The brand’s small operation produces one-of-a-kind designs made by one woman’s hands from her home in Ballarat, Victoria. Taught to knit by her mother Loris, designer, knitter and all-round creative powerhouse Lisa Kerr spent her early years making clothing for her dolls, then later for herself, her children and her friends. After so many years honing her talents and love of fashion, she decided to try something a little more experimental, and Loris Knitwear was born. Scroll through the Loris Knitwear Instagram to buy or commission a design.
7. LilKnits
Lilknits, big heart. Lilknits knitwear is handmade in Melbourne by a one-woman team with wearers’ comfort and the environment in mind. The brand opts for natural and fully biodegradable or recycled fibres in the garments, and uses a carbon neutral courier for all deliveries. There are three staple knits (jumper, cardigan and vest) in a range of earthy colours, all made to order.
8. Obus Clothing
This year’s Obus Clothing collection includes a range of knitted turtlenecks, jumpers and skirts, too. While 80% of Obus Clothing’s production is done onshore, the brand’s knitwear is made responsibly in China. The knitwear range is made from merino wool, alpaca and wool-cotton blends. Obus Clothing also uses some semi-synthetic fibres such as viscose. Shop for Obus’s signature prints and pops of colour.
9. Elk
Melbourne-based brand ELK offers a range of pretty-but-practical jumpers, cardigans and vests. ELK is B Corp certified and publishes an annual transparency report, along with comprehensive data about every step of the supply chain. The brand is now 20 years in business and has eight physical stores. Its success is a testament to both its enduring designs and reputation for sustainable, ethical business practices. ELK and its knitwear have perennial appeal – here’s to the next 20 years!
10. Country Road
Country Road has a number of policies in place to ensure ethical and sustainable production, and is committed to transparency in a number of ways, including having its factory list published on its website. The brand says it is striving for innovation and unlocking the value of existing resources when sourcing its fabrics. For this reason, Country Road opts for natural and recycled fibres, like its verified merino wool which can be traced back to Australian farms.
11. Tuckshop Knits
Tuckshop Knits are hard to miss. The colourful collection is a range of knits including vests, pull over jumpers, scarfs, beanies and button ups. The brand is a self-described “one woman show”: Owner Sharidan hand-knits 100% Australian merino wool from regional Victoria in her Melbourne studio. Tuckshop Knits are ethically made to order in Melbourne to reduce waste.
12. Oneiric
Melbourne-based brand Oneiric creates tailored and handmade garments, with a mission to evoke emotion, mood and attitude within everyday wear. The brand’s knitwear is a mixture of seasonless garments and items that are made in small runs with deadstock knit fabric. Oneiric makes the majority of its items in Melbourne, with the knitwear being made to order overseas. The brand works with a local family run manufacturer and also has an in-house team creating handmade pieces. The knitwear is made with natural fibres such as mohair and merino.
13. Wolf and Mishka
Melbourne-based slow fashion label Wolf and Mishka has been making its collections in Australia since 2014. With a focus on colour and quality, the brand is known for its unique, hand illustrated prints which are featured across a range of clothing and accessories – including a line of colourful knitwear. In an effort to reduce the brand’s impact, Wolf & Mishka also produces a collection made with 100% recycled textiles using leftover fabric from past ranges.
14. Wilga Clothing
Wilga Clothing designs beautiful clothes made to last in its regional Victoria studio. Everything you buy online is made to order and often incorporates deadstock fabric to reduce waste. Wilga’s knitwear range is ethically made by a “small family mill” in India, and other product lines are handmade in the Kallista studio. Shop Wilga’s knitwear collection for warm, winter-ready basics with vintage charm.
15. Búl
Like Obus Clothing, Búl draws inspiration from travel and the natural landscape. It makes comfortable, polished knitwear that does double duty at home and at the office. Búl prioritises natural and deadstock fabrics, so its classically feminine knitwear styles come in 100% Merino wool and wool-cotton blends for unbeatable comfort and durability.
16. Marle
New Zealanders can teach Australians a thing or two about winter fashion. Aotearoa brand Marle boasts a range of elevated minimalist knitwear in planet-friendly natural fabrications with fully recyclable packing to match. Marle sets itself apart from other brands by using only natural materials, sustainably sourced. Its “unique blend” of 100% Merino wool, mulberry silk and New Zealand brushtail possum makes for an unforgettably plush jumper.
17. Deiji Studios
Deiji Studios is your one-stop shop for oversized, effortless knitted cardigans and vests. Deiji anchors sustainability as a core value, and each product on the online store includes an “environmental impact” statement that describes the fabrication, packaging and Deiji’s sustainability initiatives. Deiji uses biodegradable and recycled materials exclusively and all manufacturers adhere to its environmental, animal welfare and social commitments.
18. Courtney Zheng
This independent label is small but growing. Founder Courtney Zheng releases small collections that align with her own values and aesthetic sensibility. Get sent straight to HR with corporate attire that’s been hacked, slashed and reinterpreted – like wool bralettes and camisoles that look like blazer offcuttings, worn with prim cashmere jumpers. Courtney Zheng’s fluid, modern womenswear is produced in China under fair working conditions and comes in majority natural materials with recyclable packaging.
