The knitwear industry is very complex and varied, especially when you take into account the difficulties that can be faced creating sustainable and ethical knitwear products. In this Masterclass, we shine a light on some of the challenges faced when producing responsible knitwear, and the various ways in which you can overcome this.
We've structured this Masterclass first to outline the basic principles of knitwear, including what can be defined as knitwear, and how it is made. We then look at a glossary of knitwear, including a range of knitwear-specific terms that will help you make sense of the various aspects of this sector. The masterclass then includes a sustainable knitwear design panel discussion, moving onto how technology and knitwear work together from our conversation with Hall Watts and Kirsty Emery of revolutionary fashion technology business Unmade.
In this Masterclass you will learn:
- What knitwear is and how it is made, with an overview of the knitwear production process
- Ethical considerations to take into account when producing knitwear
- What the benefits of using technology are in creating a community around responsible knitwear
- How to find investment and funding for small scale knitwear businesses
- How to use knitwear and technology to showcase possibilities in waste reduction
- Traceable, natural and sustainable qualities of wool, how wool is processed and manufactured into yarn, and the different types of British wool
- Best practice when working with wool manufacturers along the supply chain
- How to work with a small, slow fashion range to eventually scale up, and pricing such collections
- About the knitting yarn industry today, types of sustainable yarns,
- Plus, a glossary on knitwear terminology
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Introduction to knitwear with Charlotte Cameron from Charlotte Cameron Knitwear
with Charlotte CameronSummary
Trained in knitwear and knitted textile design, Charlotte Cameron works with brands to design and develop products from concept to retail. Alongside her consultancy, Charlotte Cameron Knitwear, Charlotte is also Knitwear Editor for the online platform, Knitting Industry Creative, and a visiting lecturer. She has a breadth of experience with mid to high-end brands, from those with established knitwear collections, through to start-ups. As a knitwear consultant, her key focus is to create beautiful and ethical knitwear which is commercially successful and is designed and made to last and be cherished.
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Knit Glossary
with Charlie Bradley RossSummary
A downloadable pack featuring the key terms commonly used in the knitwear industry, and their various meanings and definitions.
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Custom Hand-Knitting Perfectly Fitting Clothing
with Ruby LeeSummary
Have you ever wanted to knit the perfect made to measure jumper, but didn’t know where to start? Well, Ruby Lee and Alice Sleight have the solution with their fledgeling business, “Made and Worn” an app that helps users to knit a product that they design themselves, to their perfect fit.
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Changing the Knitwear Industry: In Conversation with Hall Watts
with Hall WattsSummary
Hall Watts is CEO and Co-Founder of Unmade, the revolutionary, award-winning fashion technology business. Launched in 2013, Unmade enable customizable design through industrial manufacturing. They give fashion brands the power to customise their products and to never have to deal with unsold stock again.
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Using Knitwear Technology to Reduce Wastage
with Kirsty EmerySummary
Kirsty Emery is one of the co-founders of the revolutionary, award-winning fashion technology business, Unmade. Launched in 2013, Unmade was born out of frustration at the fashion industry’s stagnant approach to mass-consumption. Today, they create bespoke, personalised knitwear, on-demand, on an industrial scale. With an ever-growing team and research lab based at Somerset House, they are leaders in sustainable fashion technology.
"The fashion business is 1.4 trillion dollar industry. 10% of all the clothes made every year don't get sold and go straight to landfill - which is about 100 billion dollars of clothes."
Interviews
Technical Tutorials
Past Events

Erika Knight & Reviving the Knitwear Industry
Sunday Feb 17th, 2019 - 18:00pm
Sustainable Knitwear Design Panel Discussion
Wednesday Oct 17th, 2018 - 01:00amWhere to Buy Ethical and Sustainable Yarns
One of the biggest struggles in the knitwear industry is sourcing sustainable yarns. Here are a few of our favourite yarn suppliers:
Flora Fibres Artisan Vegan Yarns
Additional Links
Charlotte Cameron Knitwear: https://charlottecameronknitwear.wordpress.com/about/
Katie Jones Knit: http://www.katiejonesknit.co.uk/
Ally Bee Knitwear: https://ally-bee.com/
Knitworks London: http://knitworkslondon.com/
CROP: https://www.wearecrop.com/
KOKO: https://www.koco.global/
B-Corps: https://bcorporation.net/
The Natural Fibre Company Website: https://www.thenaturalfibre.co.uk/
Search more breeds of sheep on the Black Yarn website: Meet the Animals
Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, by Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius
British Wool Board: http://www.britishwool.org.uk/
British Sheep Breeds: http://www.britishwool.org.uk/british-sheep-breeds.php
Pure Wool: A Knitter's Guide to Using Single-breed Yarns, by Sue Blacker
Knitwear Glossary: https://mc.offsetwarehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2018/11/Knitwear-Glossary.pdf
Fibres & Microns: https://mc.offsetwarehouse.com/2017/10/01/fibres-microns-properties/
Ted's 10: http://www.tedresearch.net/about/
Unmade: https://www.unmade.com/
Tech Stars: https://www.techstars.com/
V&A's 9-month artist in residence: https://www.vam.ac.uk/blog/section/artists-residence-va
Health & Safety Guidelines: http://www.eurobike-show.com/od-wAssets/daten/rahmenprogramm/pdf/Environment-Health-and-Safety-guidelines.pdf
BlueSign: https://www.bluesign.com/industry/infocenter/downloads/downloadFile/2/ind-bssl/BSSL%20v7.1.pdf
Follow on Masterclassses:
Understanding Responsible Wool Production
Manufacturing Responsible Accessories And Leathergoods
Extending The Life of Textiles and Clothing
Additional Reading
How can you build a successful ethical fashion line while making profit?
Monday Feb 7th, 2022
Does Bioengineering Hold the Key to Our Material Future?
Monday Feb 15th, 2021
The Knitwear and Accessory Brands to Support this Winter
Wednesday Dec 9th, 2020
In Conversation With Valentina Karellas: Waste Yarns Into Made To Order London Knitwear
Wednesday Sep 16th, 2020
Building A British Fibreshed And Its Benefit For Fashion
Friday Jul 3rd, 2020
What is Regenerative Agriculture?
Thursday Jul 2nd, 2020
What are the benefits of using 3D Printing in Fashion?
Saturday Jun 13th, 2020
What is Fast Fashion doing to the planet, its people, and our state of mind?
Sunday Feb 9th, 2020
What is Fast Fashion and Why Is It Still So Popular?
Monday Jan 20th, 2020
Sustainable Fashion Milestones from the 2010s
Monday Jan 13th, 2020