This week I’m taking you to Hawick in the Scottish Borders, a town with a long history of knitwear.
I paid a visit House of Cheviot as part of my Scottish textiles tour, to find out how a small team of 19 local people makes socks that go through around 12 pairs of hands before they leave the factory.
We talk about what happened to the Borders when brands like Pringle moved production offshore, why it’s so hard to bring young people into the industry, and what it feels like when someone copies your best design and has it made in China for less than half the price.
If you care about keeping the skills of the Scottish Borders alive, this episode is a reminder of how much handwork still goes into something as everyday as a pair of socks.
About House of Cheviot
House of Cheviot makes luxury socks and accessories in Hawick in the Scottish Borders, and has done since 2002. Their range includes country, walking and welly socks, kilt hose, garter ties and cashmere bed socks, all knitted, linked, hand pressed and checked in house. They also supply the kilt socks worn by Commonwealth Games Team Scotland and make regimental and own label socks for other brands.
You can find House of Cheviot at:
Website: houseofcheviot.com
Instagram: @houseofcheviot
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