As a sweater lover and knitter, I really enjoyed this piece! My favorite sweater is a cashmere Brora cardigan I purchased on eBay almost a decade ago. I hand wash my wool sweaters and it’s beautifully soft a fuzzy without pilling. My only complaint is that it is seamed with thread rather than the same yarn it is knit with, as it has developed a small moth hole and I would have liked to use that yarn to mend it invisibly.
An informative and nicely documented piece. I tend to avoid wool due to the environmental degradation and animal and human exploitation perpetrated to harvest and produce animal-derived materials and skins, so my preferred choices are usually 1) Vintage hand-knitted sweaters, 2) New knits in 100% cotton, 3) New knits in 100% recycled wool. Rifò is an Italian company with a strong focus on recycled wool, and despite not owing any of their sweaters, I found their material choice so appealing. Is recycled wool a thing also in Peru and/or South America?
I haven’t seen as much recycled wool in South America. But the spinning mills I’ve visited have some cool programs with their waste. An example is for batting and duvet inserts that are a great alternative to virgin down.
I adore Bare Knitwear. I have two oversized wool sweaters and two alpaca cardigans which I refer to as my “emotional support cardigan” because they are soooo soft and cozy.
They put a lot of thought into the fine details and are also more size-inclusive than some of the other brands, in my experience. The price points are fair for the quality. I’m also biased because they are local to me :)
Loved this piece, knitwear and fibres are endlessly fascinating to me!
This was such a satisfying read. I just inventoried my wardrobe, and knitwear was by far the largest category! I used to knit a lot, and mainly made up my own patterns, so I am very fussy about fit and feel. My current favourite label is an Italian one, Artknit Studios - I have some merino and some cashmere from them, and love them. I also rate Brora and N.Peal for cashmere that just keeps on going, winter after winter.
I have an older Misha & Puff original popcorn sweater in merino and it’s truly incredible. No pilling. Soft as heck after a wash. Well worth the money in my opinion.
I love the photo of fibers under the microscope! I might be at risk of pulling that one out next time I’m at a dinner party and going off about the differences between different fibers (apparently I’m *that* guest haha).
Also, I have a thick Lauren Manoogian sweater I bought years and years ago and it is an incredible piece that I wear nearly every other day in the winter - a true testament to design and quality! Love reading your deep-dives.
As a sweater lover and knitter, I really enjoyed this piece! My favorite sweater is a cashmere Brora cardigan I purchased on eBay almost a decade ago. I hand wash my wool sweaters and it’s beautifully soft a fuzzy without pilling. My only complaint is that it is seamed with thread rather than the same yarn it is knit with, as it has developed a small moth hole and I would have liked to use that yarn to mend it invisibly.
An informative and nicely documented piece. I tend to avoid wool due to the environmental degradation and animal and human exploitation perpetrated to harvest and produce animal-derived materials and skins, so my preferred choices are usually 1) Vintage hand-knitted sweaters, 2) New knits in 100% cotton, 3) New knits in 100% recycled wool. Rifò is an Italian company with a strong focus on recycled wool, and despite not owing any of their sweaters, I found their material choice so appealing. Is recycled wool a thing also in Peru and/or South America?
I haven’t seen as much recycled wool in South America. But the spinning mills I’ve visited have some cool programs with their waste. An example is for batting and duvet inserts that are a great alternative to virgin down.
I adore Bare Knitwear. I have two oversized wool sweaters and two alpaca cardigans which I refer to as my “emotional support cardigan” because they are soooo soft and cozy.
They put a lot of thought into the fine details and are also more size-inclusive than some of the other brands, in my experience. The price points are fair for the quality. I’m also biased because they are local to me :)
Loved this piece, knitwear and fibres are endlessly fascinating to me!
This was such a satisfying read. I just inventoried my wardrobe, and knitwear was by far the largest category! I used to knit a lot, and mainly made up my own patterns, so I am very fussy about fit and feel. My current favourite label is an Italian one, Artknit Studios - I have some merino and some cashmere from them, and love them. I also rate Brora and N.Peal for cashmere that just keeps on going, winter after winter.
I have an older Misha & Puff original popcorn sweater in merino and it’s truly incredible. No pilling. Soft as heck after a wash. Well worth the money in my opinion.
Such an informative article. I have chunky roll neck jumper from Margaret Howell that is in heavy rotation every winter.
I love sweaters. I loved this read. 🐑🩶
Thanks Erica! A few people have recommended Finisterre, I'll check them out :)
Also! I have two Finisterre wool sweaters that I love + recommend.
I love the photo of fibers under the microscope! I might be at risk of pulling that one out next time I’m at a dinner party and going off about the differences between different fibers (apparently I’m *that* guest haha).
Also, I have a thick Lauren Manoogian sweater I bought years and years ago and it is an incredible piece that I wear nearly every other day in the winter - a true testament to design and quality! Love reading your deep-dives.
Thanks Anne! I love that photo too, polyester is so boring haha.
I'm saving up for an LM sweater this winter, they're so good!