Our favourite knitwear labels to look to this winter
IMAGE VIA @___francie___/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY MAGGIE ZHOU and fashion journal
Cosy knitwear from Australian and New Zealand labels.
Nothing beats the feeling of pulling on your favourite knit on a cold, winter morning. With the right jumper, bitter, frosty mornings become warm and cosy.
Of course, finding the right knitwear that lasts is not always a simple task. You need to factor in pilling, the material and composition, and consider whether it’s a style you’ll still be reaching for in the years to come.
Discover more up-and-coming local designers in our Fashion section.
While it’s just as important to take proper care of your knitwear and look for pre-loved alternatives, we’ve curated a list of our favourite Australian and New Zealand knitwear labels for when you’re ready to invest in a new addition for your wardrobe.
Frisson Knits
View this post on Instagram
Softness you can feel through your screen. Frisson Knits hand makes sweaters from New Zealand kid mohair and it’s known for chunky knits and billowing sleeves in soft tones. Fibres are all ethically sourced; think native New Zealand Angora goats all farmed in small flocks. When we say handknitted, we really mean it – the brand uses needles and organic yarn to bring its creations to life.
Nagnata
View this post on Instagram
Nagnata is a fashion and lifestyle label based in Byron Bay. The Nagnata uniform places a strong emphasis on functionality, versatility and sustainability, creating pieces intended for movement. Find a range of soft and fluffy alpaca jumpers, as well as woollen tights, tops and activewear.
Francie
View this post on Instagram
Francie Knitwear is made from premium yarn, crafted in some of the few remaining small and ethically certified factories in Australia and New Zealand. The label follows a ‘less is more’ model, releasing its garments in slow batches and limited quantities. Find knitted jumpers, cardigans and scarves in both bright and neutral colourways.
Saigey
View this post on Instagram
Saigey is proof that knitwear doesn’t always have to be neutral – instead, it can be loud, maximalist and colourful. Based in Sydney, each piece is handcrafted by founder Saige Coleman using machine knitting and crocheting techniques, with locally sourced wool. From tops to leggings and skirts, Saigey’s knitwear is all about standing out.
Kowtow
View this post on Instagram
Kowtow follows the mantra that one should own a good thing and make it last. Its knitwear line is made from 100 per cent fair trade organic cotton, and all pieces are individually knitted to eliminate yarn waste. The colourways are simple – the brand is all about primary colours like bright green and blue, or a subdued camel cream.
Maggie Marilyn
View this post on Instagram
Featured in our editors’ list of best sustainable labels, Maggie Marilyn is a brand to behold. Its range of flirty and playful knitwear also comes with a note on who supplied the fibre, and where the piece was made. Its recent collection features traceable, capsule item.
Jillian Boustred
View this post on Instagram
Australian-made fashion label Jillian Boustred prioritises quality and comfort through the use of natural fibres and sustainable practices. Its knitwear pieces – including skirts, dresses, pants and ultra-soft T-shirts – are classic, luxurious and versatile. Offering circular solutions, Jillian Boustred’s repair services also allow for each piece to be mended, upcycled or responsibly disposed of.
Marle
View this post on Instagram
After noticing a gap in the New Zealand knitwear market, Marle founder Juliet Souter used her experience in the fashion industry to create her own label. Marle’s knitwear collection features a range of natural fibres and neutral tones – built to complement a wardrobe, not overwhelm it.
Walker
View this post on Instagram
Handmade in Fitzroy, Walker is known for its unconventional approach to knitwear. Drawing on founder Lucy Walker-Cox’s Scottish heritage, every Walker piece is made from 100 per cent lambswool sourced from a mill close to where her family lives in Scotland. From its signature bikini vest to apron skirt, each style is made to order.
Dorothy
View this post on Instagram
Founded by mother and daughter duo Anne and Lucy Aitchison, Dorothy makes über-cool, hand-knitted jumpers. Its one-off designs are made from locally sourced materials and knitted with New Zealand mohair or wool sourced from small businesses. Think cosy, oversized knitwear with a slight ’80s sensibility and you’ve got the picture.
Caves Collect
View this post on Instagram
Caves Collect’s knitwear collection, while limited, offers two refined shapes. Both are made from 100 per cent mid-weight merino, with the pieces manufactured here in Australia. The Rufus Knit is slim-fitting with a crew neck, making it a great addition over a button-down shirt with a peekaboo collar. The Margot Knit is slightly more cropped with a classic turtleneck, made to be worn with high-waisted denim or tailored cigarette pants.
Lil’ Knits
View this post on Instagram
Local label Lil’ Knits was created in 2016 by Lilly Morgan, a self-taught knitter from Melbourne. Crafting all her pieces from Peruvian Highland wool, Lilly’s designs come in a variety of punchy block colours. Lil’ Knits garments are made to order in an effort to reduce waste, so allow up to six weeks for your design to arrive (winter also officially begins in three weeks… so get ordering).
St. Agni
View this post on Instagram
Byron-Bay label St. Agni is known for its sleek, workwear staples. From chunky woollen jumpers to cardigans, cashmere sweaters and knit tops, it makes pieces designed to last you for years
Henne
View this post on Instagram
Henne is an Australian-born label known for its effortless, foundational staples. Whether you’re after a soft, fluffy cardigan or sleek, monochrome sweater, Henne’s knitwear collection is an ideal to your capsule wardrobe.
Wixii
View this post on Instagram
Based in New Zealand, Wixii is a family-run business specialising in simple designs made from natural fibres. Their knitwear collection comprises minimalist cotton, cashmere and merino pieces in subtle pops of colour and monochrome tones.
Loris
View this post on Instagram
Loris creates one-of-a-kind colourful explosions of knitwear. Lisa Kerr, the brains behind the business, knits every single piece from her lounge room, often with a cup of tea and a British crime show buzzing in the background. Her unique designs aim to invoke a sense of being loved and therefore instil confidence in the wearer. You can read more about her here, in a profile written by her daughter.
Hey Zoë May
View this post on Instagram
Naarm-based label Hey Zoë May creates small-batch knitwear collections with a focus on organic textures, saturated colour and simple silhouettes. While more on the lightweight side, Hey Zoë May pieces have the ideal layering potential for cooler seasons. All pieces are made from merino wool, which means they’ll hold their shape and have better insulation, with less of scrunching and itching.
For more ethical knitwear suggestions, head here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
