Feelgood knits: 12 sustainable and slow-fashion brands – in pictures
From biodegradable British yarns to pre-loved buys and vintage finds, here are 12 knitwear labels you need to know
Sat 21 Oct 2023 23.45 BST Last modified on Mon 23 Oct 2023 21.58 BST
Community Clothing
Social enterprise founded in 2016 by the Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant, with the aim of creating jobs where they’re needed most. The focus is on quality clothes at affordable prices made in British factories from natural materials. Crew-neck sweaters are spun in Denby Dale, Yorkshire and knitted in Hawick, Scotland. Jumpers, £65 each, communityclothing.co.uk Share on Facebook Share on TwitterYan Tan
Named after the sheep-counting rhyme system used by shepherds in the north of England, Yan Tan produces biodegradable cable-knit jumpers from its small family-run factory in Leicester, using British wool. Free-range sheep from low-density flocks and seasonal shearing practices mean happier animals. Jumper, £160, yan-tan.com Share on Facebook Share on TwitterMessina Hembry
This secondhand treasure trove was founded in 2016 by brothers Zac and Josh Hembry, who started by selling their hand-picked finds from charity shops and car boot sales. Pick up bargains from designer brands like MaxMara and Moschino, classic Fair Isle knits and Bode-style sweaters for under £20. Horse jumper £17.90, and graphic man jumper £18.30, both messinahembry.com Share on Facebook Share on TwitterThe Knotty Ones
With gorgeously textured knitwear that reflects its Baltic heritage, using natural and 100% biodegradable yarns, Lithuania-based the Knotty Ones was founded by three best friends. It now employs more than 70 female artisans, as well as supporting female-founded factories in rural Lithuania, providing financial independence for more women in areas where living-wage jobs are scarce. From £260, theknottyones.com Share on Facebook Share on TwitterFinisterre
Ocean activism is at the heart of BCorp-certified brand Finisterre. They offer a complete wardrobe for men and women with knitwear being made from recycled yarns. Additionally, 10% of proceeds from purchases from their new Save the Sea collection will be donated to the Surfers Against Sewage, Project Seagrass and Oceana UK. Jumper, £110, finisterre.com Share on Facebook Share on TwitterAsket
Timeless Scandi-style underpinned by considered and classically minimalist pieces. The label’s knitwear edit comprises key staples in a neutral palette, from half-zip to roll-neck and crew-neck jumpers. The brand’s ethos is offering high-quality elevated basics that seamlessly work with the rest of your wardrobe. This approach helps to reduce overconsumption and restores value to each piece. For every garment listed online, Asket disclose its supply chain traceability, environmental footprint and cost structure. From £80, asket.com Share on Facebook Share on TwitterReluxe
Luxury resale website Reluxe offers a carefully curated edit of designer pieces from coats and bags to dresses and knitwear. Founded by stylist Clare Richardson (pictured) with the aim of enjoying fashion in a planet-conscious way. Sort by price to find great deals like a Margaret Howell classic stripe crew-neck sweater for £40, a chunky tartan Maxmara cardigan, £65, and a metallic green Prada cardigan for £70. Stock is updated regularly, reluxefashion.com.Photograph: Dan Martensen
Share on Facebook Share on TwitterLa Granni
Unisex brand La Granni is known for its vibrant knitwear made in Peru from alpaca, certified by the Fair-Trade Peru in Good Practices, and GOTS-certified. It is inspired by the colours of Peruvian life, from bodegas to ceviche plates to create its colourful collections. From £95, lagranni.com Share on Facebook Share on TwitterSheep Inc
A pioneer in the world of sustainable knitwear, Sheep Inc is a London-based label which was the first carbon-negative fashion brand to adopt regenerative farming methods. The brand also promises that should its knits ever need mending, customers can send them in to be restored. Jumpers, £290 each, sheepinc.com Share on Facebook Share on TwitterToast Renewed & Repair
Toast’s repair and renewed initiatives champion conscious solutions to increase the longevity of garments and reduce waste. Repair is a free mending service for Toast clothes including knitwear. Take your garment into store to arrange the repair process with a visible mending technique, from Japanese Sashiko, darning and patching to appliqué. Renewed pieces for sale in store and online have been mended by specialists, taking fabric, colour and texture into consideration. Jumper, £185, toa.st Share on Facebook Share on TwitterHades
Classic knitwear with a twist. This British knitwear brand is handcrafted in England, Scotland & Spain. Their ethos champions craft, quality fabrics and design. Best known for their band jumpers in bold fonts and colours, new for this season is the Sartre inspired Hell is Other People collection. From £140, hades-shop.co.uk Share on Facebook Share on Twitter& Daughter
Slow-fashion advocates &Daughter celebrate 10 years this year with a 10-piece collection of forever knits created with 100% natural yarns by makers from the Scottish Borders and Donegal, who use traditional hand-knitting techniques. Jumper, £295, and-daughter.com Share on Facebook Share on Twitter
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