Model pulling down the edge o The Merino Beanie exposing the QR code
Model pulling down the edge o The Merino Beanie exposing the QR code

THE TRUTH, THE CHAIN

To create a circular product is to understand it's provenance. Collaboration and transparency are key, without it we would not exist. We embrace no cover up's providing you the ability to make a conscious decision.

The beanie

KNITWEAR LAB has been involved with UNBORN ever since we got introduced to the world through our successful crowdfunding campaign in 2020. As part of our first collaboration with the KNITWEAR LAB we are sharing a detaild overview of the journey from sheep to beanie.

Our collaboration is a statement against the knitting industry’s opaque supply chains, harmful magic potions and linear material blends that enable brands to cut corners and save costs in order to manufacture softness and cheat their way into durability.

UNBORN and KNITWEAR LAB share their ambition to fix the design flaw of the textile industry by reshaping the way garments are designed and believe you have the right to know where our products come from, what the impact is and what the ingredients are for making our garments.

Merino Wool From The Congi Station

Close up of Merino Fibres.

Healthy Merino Wool Fibres

The wool fibers that are at the core of our knitwear come from the Congi station in Walcha, NSW, Australia. Now in their fourth generation, the Field family produces exceptionally high-quality wool using modern technology and sustainable, certified herd management processes. The use of non-toxic spray guarantees animal health and safeguards the environment.

Merino ram in meadow at the Congi station

Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)

At the Congi Station they understand that fiber quality is a result from the way sheep and land is managed. That is why they have adopted the RWS standard so their flock can enjoy the five freedoms which guarantee the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on.

Three persons in a shed, shearing a Merino sheep at the Congi station
Women shearing a Merino sheep at the Congi station
Man throwing a Merino fleece on a sorting table
Man throwing a Merino fleece on a sorting table

Wool Combing in Romagnano Sesia, Italy

Opened Bales filled with Merino wool fleeces resting at Romagnano sesia

The opening of bales before being loaded into the openers for transport to the pre loading zones of washing

Wool resting before scouring in the warehouse of Romagnanosesia

In the winter the pre loading zones get heated as to soften the wool for better processing during washing.

Merino wool combed tops

After washing, carding and multiple combing stages the wool is processed into tops for dyeing or spinning.

Dying & Spinning facility, Valle Mosso, Italy

Undyed Merino wool tops at dying facility in Valle Mosso
Inspection of combed Merino wool tops at spinning facility in Tarcento
Production line of Merino wool coning machines at facility in Valle Mosso
Combed Merino wool bump tops stacked in wharehouse

The wool tops of the Arkaba are dyed with cradle to cradle dyestuff in kettles that can hold up to 6kg of wool.

Drying chamber for Merino yarn at spinning facility in Tarcento

After washing the wool is dried in temperature chambres before it is spun into yarn at the same facility. Only our Slowool yarn is transported to Tarcento where it is processed at the Cascami Seta Facility.

KNITWEAR LAB

Close up of Arkaba Merino yarn at Knitwearlab

Cradle to Cradle Certified™ 2/30 Nm Arakba yarns. Made from superfine, long staple Merino fibre

Stoll knitting machine at Knitwearlab

The 3.5.2 gauge STOLL CMS 530 KI machine for the creation of our seamless construction.

Stoll knitting yarn feeders at Knitwearlab

Navigating five threads, one yarn carrier, two needle beds, multiple transitions and tensions to find the sweet spot for a seamless knit.

two Stoll ADF knitting machines at Knitwearlab

The stoll Machine park at the KNITWEAR LAB ranging between 3 Gauge for coarse knits and 18 gaugs for the extra fine knit. The Beanie is knit on a 3.5 gauge.

The knitwear engineers from Knitwearlab

The talent behind the balaclava. Modern day knitting requires mathematical insight, machine handling skills, creativity and a design-driven mentality.

Close up of The Merino Beanie knit fabric

You can clearly see the difference between the inside and outside fabric of a half cardigan stitch with single fold hem.

Close up of The Merino Beanie knit fabric

The textured half cardigan stitch is densely knitted creating an insulating rib that
will also stretch into the perfect fit

Close up of The Merino Beanie knit fabric

It all comes together with STOLL-knit and wear® technology, which means that no linking, cutting or sewing is needed.

Jacquard Merino Sweater 1.0 Flat
Jacquard Merino Sweater 1.0 Flat

View the knitwear collection