Are you looking for new Sustainable Knitwear options? There are many good choices like &Daughter, Herd, Lisa Yang, Stella McCartney, NAADAM, Pact, Indigenous, Johnstons of Elgin, Rifò, Community Clothing, Yan Tan, and The Knotty Ones. These brands are special because they use eco-friendly materials. They care about quality and tell you how they make things. More people want knitwear made from organic cotton or recycled yarns. So, brands try harder to make ethical and strong clothes that fit your values.
Key Takeaways
Check out different sustainable knitwear brands like &Daughter and Herd. These brands use eco-friendly materials and care about how things are made.
Search for certifications like GOTS or B Corp. These show that brands follow high rules for the environment and people.
Pick brands that share how they make their clothes. This helps you know where your clothing comes from.
Think about what is important to you when you pick sustainable knitwear. You might care most about comfort or how workers are treated.
Buying sustainable fashion can give you clothes that last a long time. This helps you and the planet.
Sustainable Knitwear Criteria
When you buy Sustainable Knitwear, you want to know what makes a brand eco-friendly. Let’s look at the main things you should check.
Eco-Friendly Materials
Sustainable Knitwear brands use special materials. These materials help the planet and are safe for your skin. Here are some common eco-friendly fibers:
Wool
Extra fine merino
Alpaca
Cotton
Linen
Tencel
Recycled polyester
Bamboo
Cashmere
Many brands use materials that come from nature and break down easily. Some brands recycle old clothes or use closed-loop production to make less waste.
Ethical Production
You want your clothes made where workers are safe and treated well. Ethical production means brands care about workers and pay them fairly. They make sure the workplace is safe and follow labor laws. Here’s what you should look for:
Workers are treated well
Fair pay
Safe places to work
No child or forced labor
Some brands make small amounts or only make clothes when you order. This helps stop waste and supports a circular economy.
Certifications
Certifications help you know a brand follows high standards. Look for labels like GOTS for organic fibers or B Corp for good business. These certifications check rules for making, processing, and labeling. They show a brand cares about people and the planet.
Tip: Certifications help you find real Sustainable Knitwear brands.
Transparency
Transparency means you can learn how your clothes are made. Brands share where they get materials and how they treat workers. Some brands use digital IDs or QR codes to show you your garment’s journey. You might see brands share info about their factories or use blockchain to prove their claims.
If you want to support Sustainable Knitwear, pick brands that tell you the whole story about each piece.
Top Sustainable Knitwear Brands
&Daughter
If you care about where clothes come from, try &Daughter. This brand works with suppliers in Scotland and Ireland. They use lambswool yarn from a family business. The business follows high environmental rules. &Daughter is open about how they make things. They support skilled workers and help the planet.
Herd
Herd cares about the earth at every step. They use wool from Northern England. Their materials break down in nature. You get knitwear made from British wool. The wool is dyed with natural colors. Herd makes everything close to home. This helps local farmers and cuts waste. The wool comes from Blue Faced Leicester sheep. These sheep have soft and strong fibers. Herd does not use toxic chemicals or fake fibers. When you wear Herd, you help the earth. Each sweater can go back to the soil when it is old.
Lisa Yang
Lisa Yang makes luxury knitwear with organic cashmere. The brand has GOTS certification. You can trace each piece from goats in Inner Mongolia to Sweden. Lisa Yang does not use harmful dyes. They clean water before putting it back in nature. Workers are treated fairly. You get soft, high-quality knitwear that is good for people and the planet.
Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney is a leader in conscious luxury. The brand uses new materials and smart methods. Here’s what makes Stella McCartney special:
Gold-Level Cradle to Cradle Certification for a wool yarn.
Uses recycled cashmere in many pieces.
Mixes forest-friendly viscose with organic cotton.
Cares about animal welfare and where materials come from.
You can feel good wearing Stella McCartney. The brand works for better fashion.
NAADAM
NAADAM works with Mongolian herders. Herders get fair pay for their work. You get high-quality cashmere. NAADAM skips middlemen to help local people and keep prices fair. They use eco-friendly materials and safe dyes. The brand uses recycled packaging and a closed-loop system to cut waste. Animal welfare is important here. They do not use fur or leather from animals that do not meet high standards.
Pact
Pact makes knitwear from 100% organic cotton. The brand has GOTS certification. This means the materials are safe and eco-friendly. Pact checks and shares its emissions. They have a takeback program for old clothes. This keeps clothes out of landfills. If you want basics that help the planet, Pact is a good pick.
Indigenous
Indigenous has a long history of fair trade. The brand uses natural, eco-friendly materials. This keeps toxins out of the earth. Indigenous supports organic farmers and pays fair wages. Workers have safe jobs. The company has helped communities since 1994. You help people and the planet when you buy Indigenous.
Johnstons of Elgin
Johnstons of Elgin makes classic knitwear with quality in mind. The brand uses cashmere and merino wool. They have a long tradition in Scotland. Johnstons of Elgin cares about where materials come from. They make each piece with care. You get timeless knitwear that lasts a long time.
Rifò
Rifò gives old clothes a new life. The brand uses at least 50% recycled natural fibers. They collect textiles from before and after people use them. Rifò makes everything locally to lower carbon emissions. You can join their take-back program to recycle old knits. Each item has a digital passport so you can see its story.
Community Clothing
Community Clothing helps local jobs and supports sustainable fashion. The brand makes knitwear in UK factories. They use high-quality natural fibers. Prices are fair and production is ethical. When you buy from Community Clothing, you help keep old skills alive. You also support local workers.
Yan Tan
Yan Tan makes modern knitwear with British style. The brand uses natural fibers and works with small mills. Yan Tan is open about its supply chain. You get stylish knitwear that is gentle on the earth.
The Knotty Ones
The Knotty Ones makes knitwear with a purpose. Here’s what makes them different:
Uses cotton yarns from European mills with safe jobs.
Most yarns are GOTS and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.
Cashmere blends come from suppliers who care about animals.
Knits each piece to cut waste.
Uses no plastic in products or packaging.
Uses natural materials like Corozo seeds for buttons.
All knits break down in nature.
Packaging is recycled and compostable.
Gives jobs to women in small towns in Lithuania.
You help the earth and support women when you pick The Knotty Ones.
Tip: Each brand offers something special in Sustainable Knitwear. You can find choices that fit your style, values, and budget.
Comparing Sheep Inc and Alternatives
Sustainability
Sheep Inc is different when it comes to helping the planet. It is the first fashion brand that is carbon-negative. The brand uses ZQ-certified Merino wool from farmers who care about animals and nature. Sweaters are made with 3D Wholegarment® knitting. This uses solar power and makes no waste. Each sweater has a tag. You can use it to see where your sweater came from and its effect on the earth. Other Sustainable Knitwear brands also use eco-friendly materials and treat workers fairly. Many use organic fibers, recycled yarns, and pay fair wages. Some brands work with local farmers or use natural dyes. Sheep Inc does even more by making less carbon and using new technology.
Carbon-negative production
ZQ-certified Merino wool
Zero-waste knitting with solar energy
Traceable garment tags
Quality
You want sweaters that feel soft and last a long time. Both Sheep Inc and other top brands make high-quality knitwear. Here is a quick chart to show how they compare:
Category | Sheep Inc Rating | Other Brands Rating |
|---|---|---|
Planet | 4 out of 5 | Good/Great |
People | 4 out of 5 | Good/Great |
Animals | 4 out of 5 | Good/Great |
Overall | Good | Good/Great |
Most brands use great fibers like merino, cashmere, or organic cotton. You get soft and strong sweaters from Sheep Inc and other brands.
Transparency
Sheep Inc helps you learn about your clothes. Each sweater has an NFC tag. You can scan it to see which sheep gave the wool and how the sweater was made. This tag shows you where your sweater comes from and that the brand is carbon-negative. Other brands also share how they make their clothes. Some use digital passports, QR codes, or blockchain. Sheep Inc’s NFC tags let you see more about each sweater.
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
NFC Tags | Scan to learn about the sheep and the sweater’s journey. |
Carbon-Negative Brand | First in the world to reverse its carbon footprint. |
Connection to Source | NFC tags help you feel connected to your knitwear’s origins. |
Price
You may see that prices are not the same. Sheep Inc makes luxury sweaters with special features, so they can cost more. Other brands have many choices, from cheaper basics to fancy pieces. You can find Sustainable Knitwear for your budget and values. Some brands keep prices fair by working with farmers or local mills.
Tip: Look at features, quality, and how open brands are before you buy. You can find the best Sustainable Knitwear for your style and your money.
Choosing Sustainable Knitwear
Personal Values
You want your clothes to match what you care about. Start by thinking about what matters most to you. Here are some things you might look for:
Products that help the planet by using eco-friendly materials.
Brands that share how they make their clothes.
Companies that treat workers fairly and keep them safe.
Clothes made with natural or organic fibers for your health.
Brands that support local communities or good causes.
Companies that create new ideas and offer stylish, high-quality pieces.
Ask yourself which of these values are most important. This will help you narrow down your choices.
Brand Claims
Not all brands tell the whole story. You need to check if their claims are true. Look for proof from trusted sources. Here’s a quick guide:
Source | Description |
|---|---|
Tracks fibers with special pigments so you know where your clothes come from. | |
Good On You | Rates brands on how they treat people, animals, and the planet. |
Green America | Lists brands that pass tough tests for being truly sustainable. |
You can use these tools to check if a brand is honest about its practices.
Tip: Always read labels and look for third-party certifications before you buy.
Style and Fit
You want to feel good in your clothes. Sustainable brands offer many styles and fits. Some focus on classic looks with a modern twist. Others use earth tones or bold colors. You can find pieces for everyday wear or special events. Here’s a quick look at what you might find:
Brand | Style Options | Fit Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
&Daughter | Practical and fashionable | |
Navygrey | Earth-toned, British and Scottish-spun wools | Focus on sustainability |
Thakoon | Casual to formal | Good for daily wear and special occasions |
COS | Clean lines, high-quality materials | Long-lasting clothing |
ARKET | Clothing and home goods | Durable, circular packaging |
Boden | Eco-friendly materials and methods | Reduces environmental impact |
Try different styles and fits to see what works best for you.
Budget
Money matters when you shop for new clothes. Prices can be very different from one brand to another. Some brands cost more because they use better materials and pay workers fairly. Others offer lower prices by using leftover fabrics or making simple designs.
You might find sweaters for $50 or less, but some can cost over $200.
Higher prices often mean better quality and longer-lasting clothes.
Affordable brands help more people buy sustainable options.
Think about how much you want to spend. Sometimes, paying a bit more now means you buy fewer clothes later.
Note: Choose what fits your wallet and your values. You can always start small and build your collection over time.
You have many great choices if you want sustainable knitwear beyond Sheep Inc. Brands like &Daughter, Herd, and The Knotty Ones offer eco-friendly materials and honest stories. Sheep Inc stands out for using regenerative merino wool and sharing every step with you. When you pick a brand, think about what matters most to you—comfort, ethics, or the story behind your sweater. Your choices help the planet in big ways:
Sustainable fashion lowers harm to the environment.
Your shopping habits shape the future of clothing.
Brands build trust when they share their process.
Choose wisely and wear your values every day.
FAQ
What makes knitwear sustainable?
You get sustainable knitwear when brands use eco-friendly materials, treat workers fairly, and share how they make clothes. Look for certifications like GOTS or B Corp. These show you the brand cares about people and the planet.
How do I check if a brand is truly eco-friendly?
You can look for third-party certifications, read labels, and check the brand’s website for details. Use tools like Good On You to see ratings. Brands that share their process openly build trust.
Are sustainable sweaters more expensive?
You might pay more for sustainable sweaters. Brands use better materials and pay workers fairly. Sometimes, you find affordable options, especially with recycled fibers or simple designs. Higher prices often mean longer-lasting clothes.
Can I recycle my old knitwear?
Yes! Many brands offer take-back programs. You can return old sweaters so they get recycled or reused. This helps keep clothes out of landfills and supports a circular fashion system.
Which materials feel soft and last long?
You get soft and strong sweaters from merino wool, cashmere, and organic cotton. These fibers feel good on your skin and hold up well over time. Try different materials to see what you like best.
