Why am I so proud of this sweater?
Because it is made from luxurious, superfine merino, which the Italian spinning mill has purchased directly from farmers in Australia and South Africa. They have full control over which sheep the wool comes from and how the animals are treated. They have then washed, combed, spun and dyed the wool themselves in their own factory. Combing the wool is an extra step in the production process that ensures that short fibers are not included when the yarn is spun.
Unlike: The most common thing for this process is that the raw material is sent to many places and countries, to be washed here and dyed there and spun in a third place, without actual control over where it has been and how it has been treated. Good control requires extra and gives extra.
Because the yarn was made into a garment in the same country, knitted by incredibly skilled craftsmen. The pattern is knitted evenly and precisely, the seams match, and the sweater is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.
Unlike: Here there is a lot of room for sloppiness and cost savings - everything from the design of the pattern to the knitting tension and sewing. Good craftsmanship takes more time and adds more value.
Because the sweater is knitted in fully fashioned panels, just like when knitting by hand, rather than being cut out of large rectangles. It requires specialized craftsmen and more time, and is often a hallmark of good quality. The technique provides a better fit, neater and more elastic seams, and zero waste.
Unlike: Knitted fabrics that are cut out must be overlocked together to prevent unraveling. This results in lumpy seams that can be uncomfortable and not very elastic.
To know if a garment is "fully fashioned", look for:
- areas where the number of stitches is increased/decreased to shape the panel; at neckline and sleeves
- edges that are sewn (chained) together without an overlock on the inside of the garment
- seams that lie nice and flat against the skin
Greetings Anja
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