Our favourite knitwear labels for transeasonal dressing
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
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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.
Francie
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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
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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.
Wixii
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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.
Friends with Frank
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Friends with Frank is a Melbourne-based womenswear brand. Founded in 2012 by Julia McCarthy, it was created as a way of offering high-quality wardrobe staples. Alongside its range of outerwear, jeans and other basics, you’ll find a collection of cosy knitwear, from cardigans and sweaters to scarves and beanies.
Marle
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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.
Ahuru
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From designer Natalie Robb comes Aotearoa-born label Āhuru. The label is grounded in slow creation, with each piece made by hand and informed by community practices. Robb’s collections feature homespun Corriedale vests, cardigans, balaclavas and leg warmers that definitely live up to its name – ‘āhuru’ means to be warm, cosy and comfortable in te reo Māori.
Walker
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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.
Toorallie
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Established in 1991, the Australian label, Toorallie, is built on a background of 200 years of knitwear knowledge. Directed by twin brothers Simon and Steve Smith, the label evolved from their family’s merino sheep stations into a knitwear mill and fashion brand. From classic crew necks to knitted skirts, every garment is made with Australian Merino Wool.
Nagnata
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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.
Paire
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Founded by friends, Nathan Yun and Rex Zhang, Paire grew from the desire for comfy, functional and sustainable everyday basics. Using their backgrounds in sustainability and fabric technology, they developed signature materials made for comfort and built to last. Paire’s signature technology creates long-lasting pieces that you’ll love wearing.
Agati
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Agati, created by Melbourne-based designer Sam Agati, features stripy, colourful, one-of-one knitwear. Inspired by his passion for knitting, Agati is an expression of Sam’s love of texture, colour and knitting as an artistic medium. Sam knits each piece himself, from striped rompers to witty slogan sweaters.
St. Agni
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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
Assembly Label
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Inspired by Australian coastal landscapes, Assembly Label creates timeless garments in earth-inspired colour palettes. From its cashmere sweaters and cardigans to thick wool and yak-blend knits, each piece is made from quality fabrics, designed to last.
Dorothy
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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.
Kina and Tam
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Bored by the sea of all-black outfits in Melbourne winter, Kina and Tam rejected the norm and created a brand of vibrant and playful knits. The label is committed to slow fashion, releasing small, limited collections of 15 to 25 unique styles. From graphic knitted sweaters to scenic-style vests, its pieces are a whimsical addition to your winter wardrobe.
Kowtow
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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.
Caves Collect
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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.
Maggie Marilyn
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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 items.
Hey Zoë May
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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.
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