Why Handmade Knitwear Still Matters Today

As we mentioned in our article about MATTILDE KNITWEAR at the Great Latvian Crafts Fair, knitting is not a modern invention. Some of the oldest surviving knitted garments have been discovered in Egypt. Other theories suggest that knitting may have developed in the Middle East before gradually spreading across Europe. In Latvia, archaeological evidence of knitting dates to the 14th and 15th centuries.

 If you are reading this article, you are probably interested not only in knitwear itself, but also in the story behind it and the reasons why it continues to be valued today.

One theory suggests that knitting may have evolved from an older textile technique known as "nålebinding". Although historians do not fully agree on the exact origins of knitting, this ancient technique is often considered one of the methods that may have existed before knitting. Unlike modern knitting, "nålebinding" is created with a single needle, using interconnected loops of yarn, and it was known in many parts of the world long before knitting with two needles became widespread.

In parts of Europe, professional knitting later became organised through guilds, many of whose members were men. Some of the earliest knitted garments found in Europe date back to the 13th and 14th centuries, with knitted socks among the most common examples.

Knitting changed significantly in 1589, when William Lee developed the first knitting frame in England. This hand-operated machine laid the foundation for later advances in knitwear production. Over the following centuries, knitting machinery advanced rapidly, and by the 19th century knitwear production had become an important part of the textile industry.

 HANDMADE KNITWEAR IN A MODERN WARDROBE

Today, most clothing is produced on an industrial scale, and mass-produced garments fill the majority of our wardrobes. Even so, many people still choose handmade garments created with skill, experience and care. Knitwear has always held a special place among handmade garments, and that remains true today.

 KID MOHAIR AND SILK KNITWEAR

While knitwear was once valued mainly for warmth, modern yarns and knitting techniques have made it suitable for year-round wear. At MATTILDE KNITWEAR, most of our garments are made from a natural blend of kid mohair and silk. One of the reasons we appreciate this fibre blend is its natural ability to adapt to different temperatures. It helps provide warmth on cooler days while remaining light and breathable in warmer weather. To learn more about mohair itself, including its origin and history, you can read our article about mohair. During spring and summer, our customers most often choose lightweight cardigans and sweaters. In autumn and winter, scarves, hats and gloves become especially popular. Many customers also enjoy combining these accessories into matching sets knitted from the same yarn colour.

Handmade clothing offers more than comfort. There is a different feeling when you know that a real person has made the garment you wear. Behind every handmade garment are hours of work, experience, creativity and attention to detail. Every seam, colour choice and design decision reflects the knitwear creator’s dedication to creating something meaningful.           

Finishing a MATTILDE KNITWEAR piece by hand in our studio in Riga, Latvia.

What often remains unseen is the time and patience that go into creating a finished garment. In many cases, the time invested in creating a handmade piece is one of the main reasons it costs more than a mass-produced alternative. 

When someone chooses a handmade garment, they are choosing more than just clothing. It is also a way of supporting craftsmanship, creativity and the people who continue to keep traditional skills alive.

Many handmade products are created from natural materials and are made to be used and appreciated for many years, rather than following short-term trends.

WHY CUSTOMERS CHOOSE HANDMADE KNITWEAR

While knitwear and crochet have never truly disappeared, they seem to have experienced renewed appreciation in recent years. More and more people are looking for quality, individuality and garments that can be worn for many years, rather than simply following fast-changing fashion trends.

One of the most rewarding parts of our work is seeing soft yarn gradually become a finished garment and knowing that it may become part of someone's everyday life. MATTILDE KNITWEAR has been creating knitwear for more than a decade, and during that time we have received many kind words from our customers. Their appreciation, loyalty and encouragement continue to inspire us to create new pieces year after year.

Many of our customers return again and again, often bringing friends or family members to introduce them to our knitwear. Over the years we have also asked customers why they continue to choose MATTILDE KNITWEAR. The answers are usually very similar:

• the quality of the yarn,
• the quality of the knitwear, 
• comfort,
• the wide range of yarn colours,
• the exceptional lightness of each piece.

Alongside quality, customers frequently mention something else — they like that our knitwear is not mass-produced. They appreciate owning a garment that is made in small quantities and knowing that a real person is behind its creation. The knowledge, experience and care invested in every piece add a value that cannot be measured by materials alone.

Perhaps that is why handmade knitwear remains relevant even in a world where clothing choices are greater than ever before. Handmade knitwear combines quality, comfort, individuality and a story behind each piece. And as long as people continue to value those things, handmade knitwear will always have a place in our wardrobes and in our everyday lives.