Home / NZ Made Products / New Zealand Knitwear
Buying local
New Zealand Knitwear: Local Makers, Fibres and Care
Choose New Zealand knitwear for the layer you need, the way it fits and the care you can give it. Read the fibre label and the manufacturing statement separately, then compare the actual garment.
In this guide
New Zealand knitwear and local making
NZ made knitwear brands: check the garment
Choose the layer you will actually wear
Measure without relying on the size name
Care for the particular knit
Compare value, manufacture and ordering
Your questions
Explore NZ made products.
New Zealand knitwear and local making
Untouched World
Our July 2023 Untouched World profile explores knitwear and natural-fibre garments. It introduces the work behind a local clothing business and gives you a starting point for questions about a particular piece.True Fleece
True Fleece's March 2021 story features merino clothing made in Christchurch. Compare the construction and intended use of the specific garment; a merino label describes a fibre, not one universal garment style.
For other wardrobe options, use our NZ made clothing guide. The NZ made products hub brings together the wider collection of buying guides.
NZ made knitwear brands: check the garment
A New Zealand brand can work with different manufacturing arrangements across its range. Ask where the particular knitwear item is made. If local wool matters to you too, ask that as a separate question.
Read the complete fibre composition, including blends. The label may tell you percentages that a short product name leaves out. Ask the maker to explain the role of the fibres and the construction in that design rather than assuming all garments with the same fibre name feel alike.
Choose the layer you will actually wear
Close-fitting layer: check the neckline, seams, sleeve length and room to move.
Everyday jumper: allow for the shirt or top you will wear underneath.
Cardigan: check fastening, overlap and how it sits open and closed.
Outer knit layer: consider bulk, pocket placement and room under a coat.
Occasion knitwear: compare drape, fit and the care needed between wears.
Consider where the garment will be worn. An office, an outdoor walk and a warm home can call for different layers. Compare the maker's description of weight and construction with how you plan to use it.
Measure without relying on the size name
Lay a similar garment flat and compare chest width, body length and sleeves. Check whether the maker's chart is for body measurements or the finished item. Ask how the garment is intended to fit and whether the dimensions are measured relaxed.
Think about how it sits at the shoulder, hem and cuff. A short body may suit one outfit and not another. If you are choosing a gift, ask for a well-fitting garment's measurements or check the exchange process before buying.
Care for the particular knit
Follow the care label for washing, drying and storage. Fibre blends, construction and trims can change the right method. Keep the instructions and ask the maker about anything unclear before trying a treatment.
Check whether hand washing, machine washing or professional cleaning is specified.
Use the instructed drying method and avoid stretching the garment during handling.
Store it clean and dry in a way that suits its construction.
Ask about pilling or snag repair using a method appropriate to the item.
Retain the style details if you need replacement buttons or repair advice.
Follow the care instructions for the particular garment. A familiar fibre can appear in very different constructions.
Compare value, manufacture and ordering
Check the maker through our licence-holder register and match the listed products to the garment. Confirm price, delivery, stock or production timing and exchanges.
A useful comparison includes fit, composition, care and the role the garment fills in your wardrobe. Choose something you can wear with existing clothes instead of buying a layer that needs several other purchases to work.
If you enjoy wool at home too, our wool blanket guide uses a different measuring approach for beds and sofas.
Your questions
Does New Zealand wool mean the knitwear is made here?
Fibre origin and garment manufacture are separate facts. Ask about both if both matter to your purchase.
How should I wash NZ-made knitwear?
Follow the individual care label. The appropriate method depends on the fibres, construction and other components.
Your next step
Choose a layer that fits your life, compare its measurements and read the care label. Then check the maker and the exact garment before ordering.
