The Insider’s Directory of British Knitwear
From the historic cashmere mills of Hawick to the hidden factories of Leicester. We review the top 12 heritage brands, explain the manufacturing secrets, and help new brands launch their own collections.
Introduction: The Renaissance of British Knitwear
There is a quiet revolution happening in your wardrobe. As the world tires of fast fashion and synthetic fabrics, the “Old Money” aesthetic and the movement toward “Quiet Luxury” have brought British knitwear roaring back into the spotlight.
But the world of British knitwear is complex. It ranges from the historic mills of Hawick, Scotland—where the world’s finest cashmere is spun—to the industrial heartland of Leicester, and onto modern studios in London designing the future of wool.
This guide is your complete directory. We have organized the entire industry into four essential sections:
The Brands & The Makers
The most common secret in fashion? The name on the label often isn’t the name of the factory.
If you turn over the label of a luxury sweater and see “Made in Scotland,” there is a very high chance it was made in a small town called Hawick. But which brands are worth the money? We have reviewed the top 12.
The Luxury Tier: Scottish Cashmere
Johnstons of Elgin: The “King of Cashmere” and the only mill to process raw fiber to finished product.
Hawico (Hawick Cashmere Co): The purist’s choice for “Quiet Luxury.”
N.Peal: The “James Bond” brand, famous for the 007 commando sweater.
The Heritage Tier: British Wool
Peregrine Clothing: The “Made in England” workhorse. Tough, durable, and classic.
Pringle of Scotland: The inventors of the Argyle pattern and golf style.
Cordings of Piccadilly: The colorful home of British country style.
House of Bruar: The “Harrods of the North” – great value Scottish style.
Glenbrae: Technical wool for golfers.
The Modern Tier & Secret Suppliers
John Smedley: The world’s oldest factory, famous for fine gauge knits.
Warm & Wonderful: The brand behind Princess Diana’s “Black Sheep” jumper.
Mars Knitwear: The best “Entry Level” factory brand in the UK.
Brora: Nostalgic, feminine designs and fair isle.
🏭 Factory Insight: Many of these brands outsource their production. At Xindi Knitwear, we manufacture similar styles for private clients using the same yarns and machinery.
British Knitwear Brands & Comparable Knitwear Alternatives
This section reviews British and European knitwear brands commonly compared for knitwear quality, yarn selection, gauge control, and manufacturing heritage. These brands are frequently referenced by buyers evaluating premium knitwear construction, materials, and production standards.
Wolsey knitwear alternatives & heritage clothing brands
Wolsey is a historic British clothing and knitwear brand known for traditional silhouettes, classic yarn choices, and heritage-led knitwear production often compared with other British heritage knitwear brands.
John Smedley fine-gauge knitwear alternatives
John Smedley is a British luxury knitwear brand specializing in fine-gauge merino wool and cotton knitwear, frequently compared with premium knitwear manufacturers focused on precision knitting and consistency.
Is John Smedley a Good Brand? Fit, Quality & Knitwear Review
Pringle of Scotland Scottish heritage knitwear alternatives
Pringle of Scotland is a Scottish knitwear brand with strong heritage in cashmere and wool knitwear, commonly referenced alongside other Scottish manufacturers with long-established knitwear expertise.
Is Pringle of Scotland a Good Brand? Heritage Knitwear Explained
N.Peal premium cashmere knitwear alternatives
N.Peal is a British cashmere knitwear brand focused on premium yarn sourcing, refined knitwear finishing, and luxury cashmere garments, often compared with other high-end cashmere specialists.
N.Peal Brand History: British Cashmere Knitwear Reviewed
Peregrine Clothing British-made knitwear alternatives
Peregrine Clothing is a UK knitwear and clothing brand emphasizing British manufacturing, durable knitwear construction, and ethical production, often compared with other Made-in-UK knitwear brands.
Is Peregrine a Good Brand? British-Made Knitwear Review
Sheep Inc. sustainable knitwear brand alternatives
Sheep Inc is a modern sustainable knitwear brand focused on traceable wool sourcing and transparent production, commonly compared with other ethical and low-impact knitwear brands.
Brands Like Sheep Inc: Sustainable Knitwear Alternatives
Howlin’ modern heritage knitwear alternatives
Howlin’ is a contemporary knitwear brand blending traditional European knitting techniques with modern color and texture, often compared with modern heritage knitwear labels.
Brands Like Howlin’: Modern Heritage Knitwear Alternatives
Inverallan heavy-gauge knitwear alternatives
Inverallan is a Scottish knitwear brand known for hand-framed, heavy-gauge sweaters, frequently compared with traditional knitwear manufacturers producing robust, heritage-style garments.
Inverallan Knitwear: Heavy-Gauge Scottish Sweaters Explained
The Fiber Guide
A sweater is only as good as the yarn it is knitted from.
Before you buy (or manufacture) a sweater, you must understand the raw material. The difference between a £40 sweater and a £400 sweater usually comes down to Micron Count and Fiber Length.
Essential Reading
Merino vs. Cashmere vs. Lambswool: Which yarn is right for your budget and climate?
Why “British Wool” is Making a Comeback: It’s not just for farmers anymore. Learn why this coarse, durable wool is trending.
Sustainable Swaps: How to choose RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) and Recycled yarns.
Inside the Factory
How do we actually turn yarn into a garment?
If you are looking to manufacture knitwear, you need to speak the language of the factory. The most important specification is Gauge (GG).
Technical Guides
Knitwear Gauge Explained: The difference between 30GG (Fine T-shirt weight like John Smedley) and 5GG (Chunky cable knit like Peregrine).
📄 [Read Guide: The Knitwear Gauge Guide]
Intarsia vs. Jacquard: How to make patterns. Intarsia (like the Sheep Sweater) is “inlaid” like a puzzle, while Jacquard has a heavy backing.
📄 [Read Guide: Intarsia vs. Jacquard – Which is Best?]
What is “Fully Fashioned”? Why luxury sweaters are linked stitch-by-stitch rather than cut from a cloth roll.
📄 [Read Guide: Understanding Quality Construction]
📂 Project Showcase: We recently produced a 12GG Cashmere Collection for a London boutique, using “Fully Fashioned” linking for seamless comfort.
The Business of Knitwear
Ready to launch your own brand? Here is the roadmap.
Starting a fashion brand is difficult, but finding the right manufacturing partner makes it easier. We help startups navigate the complex world of production.
Startup Resources
How to Start a Knitwear Brand: A step-by-step guide from concept to production.
📄 [Read Guide: The Ultimate Startup Checklist]
Understanding MOQs: Why factories have “Minimum Order Quantities” and how to negotiate them.
📄 [Read Guide: The Truth About MOQs]
Tech Packs 101: A factory cannot quote a price without this document. Learn what needs to be in it.
📄 [Read Guide: Complete Guide to Private Label]
Ready to Start Your Production?
You have the vision. We have the machinery. Stop searching for middlemen. Work directly with a manufacturer who understands the UK market.
For New Brands & Startups
Launch with our Startup Starter Pack: Yarn swatches, tech-pack help, and low MOQs.
I need better margins
Send us your current best-seller. We will produce a counter-sample to prove we can beat your current supplier on price or quality.
