Sustainability

Our Yarns & Fibres

Here at Cotswold knit we love using natural fibres. We choose yarns for their softness, colour and high standards of animal welfare. The ingredients we use to make our collection are just as important as how our designs look.

Here’s a bit more information about the fibres we use and why we have chosen them.

Responsible Wool Standard

Every yarn we use is certified by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), This certification recognizes the best practices of farmers, ensuring that wool comes from farms with a progressive approach to managing their land, and that sheep that have been treated responsibly. The standard is globally recognised and applies to all breeds of sheep. Mulesing is strictly prohibited.

100% Scottish-Spun Wool

Our Lambswool yarns comes from world leading Scottish spinners Todd and Duncan. They have taken a modern approach to the traditional methods of spinning and have been developing yarns for over 150 years.

The Lambswool fleeces originate in Australia and South Africa, it is washed, spun and dyed on the banks of Loch Leven, Scotland to create the supers-soft yarn we use for knitting. The water used for washing and dyeing the wool is cleaned and purified and returned to Loch Leven.

100% Italian-Spun Merino

We love merino wool because it’s one of the most naturally breathable fibres making it perfect for both summer and winter months. It reacts to changes in body temperature keeping you warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer.

Italian-Spun Boucle (67% Wool 33% Nylon)

The Boucle yarn we knit with uses a very specialised spinning technique to give it a fluffy softness and bounce. It is a fine yarn, spun into tiny loops or curls which makes it very delicate so a nylon thread is added to stop any breaking during knitting and to increase longevity. We don’t choose to use synthetic mix yarn lightly, but it gives a texture to our patterns and designs and is integral to our signature statement scarves.

How We Make Our Knits

We are proud to work with three local knitting manufacturers in the UK, and take time to visit each factory regularly. We know each craftsman and woman who is involved in making our designs.

Working with experts that share our passion for knitting and who are highly skilled to bring our unique designs to life so that they look great and feel fantastic.

By using UK factories we are supporting local economies, backing the talent and skills of UK craftsmen and women. By helping these industries thrive and encouraging training and apprenticeships, a new generation can be inspired to continue the strong manufacturing traditions and benefits of Made in the UK

Our Buttons

We use buttons that are made 15 miles away from our studio. The company we buy from uses traditional techniques and combines this with new technology’s. Made from 100% Corozo – the outer part of a large nut. This material is a completely natural product and biodegradable too. Its ethically sourced and fully sustainable. We make regular visits and really enjoy seeing how our buttons are made.

Our Packaging and Labelling

Supporting small business here in the UK is an important part of our DNA. Our swing tags, woven labels and printing material are all made locally. The packaging we use is responsibly sourced (FSC) and recyclable. All orders are shipped from our solar-powered design studio in Warwickshire.

Slow Fashion & Low Waste Textiles

Our designs are made to last – By using top quality yarns and knitting on the correct gauge machinery our knits will looks great for years to come.

We encouraging mindful consumption over fast fashion and invite customers to shop with us at events, markets and pop-ups so items can be tried before they are purchased. It also gives us a chance to meet our customers, and share our passion for knitting and get feedback too.

We strive to reduce waste by repurposing leftover yarns into smaller items and knitting unique, one-of-a-kind colourways.

The patterns and designs we create are timeless so can be cherished and worn season after season. Each style is knitted in small batches this keeps waste to a minimum and quality to a very high standard.

For more information about where we will be popping-up please see our EVENTS page

Always Doing Our Best

We are a small business and learning all the time, striving to make changes for good on our sustainable business journey. No one’s perfect, but each year we try to make intelligent changes and always welcome feedback.

If you would like to get in touch, please email hello@cotswoldknit.com or Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with what’s happening here at Cotswold knit