The Knitwit Stable aims to re-establish Dutch wool as a premium raw material

Press, professionals, clients and partners gathered last week at The Knitwit Stable in Baambrugge, near Abcoude, in a quintessentially Dutch setting. The event, dedicated to Dutch wool, began amongst the sheep with a cloudy sky and occasional rain showers as a backdrop. This weather perfectly matched the company's slogan: “Knitwear shaped by wool, weather and landscape”. A specially written poem was read before the wool flag was hoisted for the first time, bearing the message “Long live wool”.

Through the event and collection launch, The Knitwit Stable aims to re-establish the connection between the landscape, the sheep, the maker and the wearer. “It was only very recently, a few generations ago, that we completely lost the connection to what we wear,” said founder Reina Ovinge during her presentation.

The Knitwit Stable has been processing high-quality Dutch wool for approximately ten years, operating as a formal company for the last five. Xander Slager, co-founder of the sustainable clothing brand The New Optimist which went bankrupt in 2025, is also involved in the company's development. He contributes to the organisation at a strategic level, helping to shape its future direction. Ovinge's interest in natural materials was sparked unexpectedly when she received two goats for her birthday. “That’s really how it all started,” she told FashionUnited. Ovinge noted that for a long time, little has been done with the available wool in the Netherlands, which is often used for low-grade applications.

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Dutch wool as a starting point

According to Ovinge, the Netherlands has approximately 800,000 sheep, producing around one million kilograms of wool per year. The Knitwit Stable collects wool from various Dutch sheep farmers. Its own flock consists of about 50 sheep and supplies only a small portion of the total amount the company requires.

Not all Dutch wool is the same. The properties of the fibre vary by sheep breed and even by individual sheep. For instance, the thickness of the fibre determines how soft or prickly a woollen product feels. The shrinkage also differs. “Because it’s natural, there is a lot of variation,” Ovinge explains. “Every batch can be different.”

This natural variation also means that a collection does not yield the exact same material each season. According to Ovinge, both the colour and shrinkage can differ from season to season. This is partly related to the conditions in which the sheep live.

“It is somewhat comparable to wine,” says Ovinge. “With wool, you also have good and bad years.” Animal welfare plays a significant role in this, she believes. The Knitwit Stable recently cultivated a pasture with herb-rich grass and more willow trees, moving away from meadows that consist mainly of grass. A more varied landscape is intended to provide the animals with a wider range of nutrients. According to Ovinge, the living conditions of the animals are ultimately reflected in the quality of the fleece and, consequently, the fibres.

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Dutch Wool Premium

A new collection was also introduced during the event. An important part of this is Dutch Wool Premium, a wool quality developed by The Knitwit Stable. The yarn consists of 60 percent selected Dutch sheep's wool, 20 percent Dutch alpaca and 20 percent merino. According to the company, the Dutch wool provides character and resilience, while alpaca and merino contribute warmth, softness and comfort.

The choice for Dutch wool is therefore not just a matter of origin. According to Ovinge, The Knitwit Stable wants to build a complete chain, from soil and sheep to maker and consumer.

This supply chain is currently part-Dutch and part-European. The collected wool is transported to Northern Italy because a domestic wool processing industry no longer exists in the Netherlands. There, the wool is processed into a semi-finished product and spun into yarn. The yarn then returns to the Netherlands, where The Knitwit Stable knits and finishes a portion of its collection.

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From custom work to small series

The Knitwit Stable announced during the event that its production method has changed. The company previously made garments to order but now also produces in small batches. This approach aims to make its products more accessible while also streamlining the production process.

It remains labour-intensive. According to Ovinge, knitting a garment alone takes one to one and a half hours. The garment then still needs to be assembled. With larger series, production speed can increase, but manual work remains a key part of the process.

Full production in the Netherlands is therefore economically challenging. Part of the production consequently takes place in Serbia, while The Knitwit Stable simultaneously aims to retain and further build knowledge and production capacity in the Netherlands.

Wool for the outdoors

The FW26 collection demonstrates what The Knitwit Stable aims to achieve with Dutch Wool Premium. The collection emphasises both indoor clothing and outdoor applications. Comfortable jumpers and cardigans are presented under the name ‘Shelter’, while ‘Lowlands’ consists of sturdier knitted garments designed for outdoor wear, suited to the Dutch climate.

The Knitwit Stable is thereby consciously choosing a different approach to wool. According to Ovinge, the industry is increasingly focused on very soft wool types and indoor applications. The company aims to demonstrate once again that wool is also suitable for outdoor use.

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Although wool is strongly associated with autumn and winter, Ovinge also sees potential beyond the colder seasons. She suggests that finely knitted wool products can be worn in the summer, for instance on cooler evenings. This is due to the natural properties of the fibre. Wool is breathable and can absorb and wick away moisture. This allows the fibre to retain heat while also helping to create a comfortable feel in warmer conditions.

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The price level of the collection ranges from 29 euros for a pair of socks and 69 euros for a beanie to 225 euros for a jumper. For a chunkier knit cardigan, the price goes up to 475 euros. In addition to its own webshop, The Knitwit Stable is now also available at Up To Do Good at Schiphol Airport. From October, the collection will also be available at Sukha in Amsterdam.

With the opening of the Dutch wool season, The Knitwit Stable aims to draw attention not only to its new collection but also to the raw material behind it. The company seeks to further restore the connection between the Dutch landscape and the final fashion product by collecting, processing and using Dutch wool within its own supply chain.