Best of British Knitwear Brands
The ultimate guide to British knitwear brands – all made in the UK
UK-made knitwear is world-renowned. It’s no wonder – the mechanical knitting machine was invented in England and the oldest operating factory in the world is owned by a knitwear manufacturer – John Smedley.
When it comes to quality, British knitwear can’t be beaten. Whether it’s menswear, womenswear or childrenswear; hand or machine knitted; cashmere, wool or cotton; heritage brand or start-up; there’s a British knit for everyone.
If you’re looking for the best UK-made knitwear brands, you’ll love our ultimate list.
After something to keep your hands, head and neck warm? Then why not check out our Best of British Knitted Accessories post!
The Cotton London
Designed and knitted in Scotland from the finest quality wool and cotton, the Cotton knitwear collection offers style in an array of seasonal colours and luxurious soft blends. Their super-soft knitwear collection is a perfect combination of comfort and style.
Shop The Cotton London collection here
Paul James Knitwear
Since 1976, Paul James Knitwear has focused on the art of producing beautifully handcrafted knitwear for prestigious brands and influential boutiques. Using yarns from all over the world, they knit stylish, functional garments that are made to last.
Shop the Paul James collection here*
*Not all of Paul James collection is made in the UK.
Waring Brooke
British knitwear designer Samantha Brooke, founder of the luxury ‘Waring Brooke’ takes a multi-pronged approach to reducing fashion waste with a vision of the future firmly in mind for creating her womenswear, menswear and personalised accessories.
As seen in Vogue and billed as one to watch in the fashion industry, talented Samantha creates luxury knitwear with ethically sourced biodegradable materials designed for those who share their love of the outdoors and who have an interest in protecting the British countryside.
Shop the Waring Brooke collection here
Mars Knitwear
A Leicester based knitwear manufacturer that has been producing the finest quality knitwear since 1994. All of Mars Knitwear’s products are designed, manufactured, and carefully inspected in-house by their team of experts.
Shop the Mars Knitwear collection here
Glenbrae
Known for producing the finest British knitwear. Glenbrae garments are a unique blend of style and substance, and the technology that goes into crafting each item of knitwear is truly revolutionary.
They select only the best wool and fibres, apply unsurpassed knowledge, skill and craft, and use time-honoured techniques. The result is a product that is not only luxurious but also practical and beautifully hard-wearing.
Shop the Glenbrae collection here
Harley of Scotland
Synonymous with high quality Scottish knitwear, Harley of Scotland is recognised worldwide for excellence and forward thinking knit technology. Using the highest quality natural yarns and ethical Scottish production – Harley of Scotland offers a quality standard and meticulous attention to detail that is unsurpassed.
Shop the Harley of Scotland collection here
Oubas Knitwear
Creating beautiful and timeless knitted pieces from natural fibres. Oubas values made in Britain; drawing on the rich history that surrounds them to bring contemporary products with high end craftsmanship.
Shop the Oubas Knitwear collection here
Genevieve Sweeney
Made exclusively in the UK, Genevieve Sweeney is writing a new chapter for the knitwear industry, marrying contemporary design with exceptional hand finishes. Indebted to the time-honoured techniques of artisan makers, the brand has reimagined the possibilities of knitwear.
Shop the Genevieve Sweeney collection here
Celtic & Co.
A luxury British brand based in Cornwall, Celtic & Co offers a range of UK-made knitwear made exclusively from the finest, all-natural fibres, predominantly produced in the UK.
Shop the Celtic & Co collection here
Glencroft
Richard Sexton & Co is a family-run British clothing company based in Clapham, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Since 1987 they have been supplying wholesale with their quality ‘Glencroft’ brand which includes some beautiful UK-made knitwear pieces.
Shop the Glencroft collection here
Foxology
Born out of its founder, Dawn Foxall’s passion for knitwear, heritage and quality, coupled with a desire to communicate the urgent need to slow fashion down. Foxology was launched as a proactive brand – part of the wave of brands supporting slow fashion.
This is why Foxology does not do seasons. They add to the range what they believe their customers want and need and sell through those styles and colours that become less popular.
Shop the Foxology collection here
Valentina Karellas
Welcome to Valentina Karellas, where every piece of knitwear is one-of-a-kind. That’s because they use surplus yarn from large factories that would otherwise have gone to waste. The result: each one is a lifelong-lasting, entirely unique London original. They’re continuing London’s rich heritage of quality making.
Shop the Valentina Karellas collection here
British Alpaca Fashion Company
The only alpaca breeder with a design studio and production facility directly on their farm in the whole of the UK. The British Alpaca Fashion Company produce high-end knitwear from their own alpaca fleece in the hills of Exmoor.
Shop the British Alpaca Fashion Company collection here
Justine Tabak
Made entirely in the UK, Justine Tabak sources fine British fabrics where possible. They produce their garments with small local manufacturers where they work together to create beautiful products. Quality and care are utmost.
Shop the Justine Tabak collection here
ROVE Knitwear
The sustainable, slow fashion label was born from a desire to find quality, long lasting knitwear made in Britain using British spun wool. The brand has evolved with the modern day need for low impact clothing by offering organic, natural materials as well as traceable production process.
Shop the Rove Knitwear collection here
John Smedley
Established in 1784, John Smedley are the oldest manufacturing factory in the world, crafting beautiful, high quality garments that are designed to last, made in Britain and distributed the world over.
Shop the John Smedley collection here
Johnstons of Elgin
Founded in 1797, the Johnstons knitting mill in Hawick, has a team of highly skilled designers and craftspeople working together to create their wonderful knitwear.
Shop the Johnstons of Elgin collection here
Peregrine
An English Heritage clothing brand with British Heritage Merino wool jumpers and cardigans.
Shop the Peregrine collection here
Bonus entry!
British Christmas Jumpers
At Make it British we love a Christmas Jumper and British Christmas Jumpers offer a huge range of designs, all made in the UK of course!
Shop British Christmas Jumpers collection here
