Loop & Weft | Merino Lambswool Patchwork Sweaters

If you’ve been following our moves through the years, you know December means it’s Merino Wool sweater season. Loop & Weft's continued devotion to crafting some of the best sweaters, is a concoction of the finest materials and second-to-none construction, seldom seen these days. The sweaters are produced by an older gentleman in his 70s, with decades of experience producing some of Japan's meticulously produced knitwear pieces out of a small factory near Yamanashi, Japan. Knowing that these sweaters have been given the individual care and attention of this sole craftsman, we like to put them on the pedestal that they deserve. The Lambswool itself is from Australia, sourced from the Australian city of Geelong (a rich pasture area along the Southeastern Coast of Australia renowned for its prized Lambswool). The wool itself is shaved from a baby lamb, specifically lamb that is up to six months in age.

Why 6 months you ask? There are two very good reasons for this. Baby lambs provide exceptionally soft wool that feels incredible from the first wear. The other reason is the color, the depth and quality of the color of the wool is superior when compared to the wool of adult sheep. As the wool is derived from a baby lamb, the microns of the wool are extremely small which allow for an incredibly soft feeling and particularly warm knit - hence the description, extra fine Merino wool.

Taking a form of a 1980s British Wool Sweater motif, the switched panel construction of the knit fabric, is an incredibly difficult detail to calibrate, as you can see the patchwork is actually within the weave and not sewn onto the garment, or stitched together. The construction expertise that goes into producing these sweaters, guarantees the perfect balance between stretch and retention of the fabric over extended wear.