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OUR STORY
We are a small batch knitwear studio creating timeless garments and accessories crafted using natural, breathable & biodegradable yarns. Most of the pieces within our collection are designed and made in house by founder Jessye Boulton, using old hand powered knitting machines. Some of the finer gauge items we are unable to produce ourselves, however we are proud to keep production local as these items are made just up the road in St Ives on a state of the art Shima Seiki wholegarment knitting machine.
Rooted in the heart of West Cornwall, Carnwear pieces often reflect the colours and textures of the surrounding landscape, from rugged moorland to dramatic coast. Transeasonal by nature, our knitwear is crafted with longevity in mind and due to the natural yarns we use, will return to the soil after a good life of wear.
PROCESS | ORIGIN
MANUAL MACHINES
In the studio we work on a 7gg Dubied machine and Brother domestic machines, which all rely on manual power for operation. Our Swiss made vintage Dubied had been well loved and used by others in the industry before arriving in our studio in 2020. Over 80 years old, it's amazingly robust and continues to work like a dream.
NATURAL MATERIALS
We choose to work with natural fibres not only to minimise environmental impact, but also becuase we believe they really are the best thing to wear next to the skin. From being breathable and biodegradable to moisture wicking, temperature regulating and hypoallergentic, natural fibres are not only a joy to work with but have the potential to enhance our daily lives too.
We mainly work with pure sheeps wool and many of our products have been certified with British Wool, but we also love to work with silk, mohair, alpaca, cotton and linen.
FUTURE HERITAGE
The UK has a wonderfully rich, diverse and renowned history of knitwear manufacturing - an industry that was once celebrated worldwide for its quality and craftsmanship. In recent years many skills have been lost as the production of clothing moved overseas in favour of cheaper, faster alternatives. However, as customers look for transparency and UK brands see the benefits of making on home turf, there has been a revival in local, small-scale maufacturing that put quality, craftsmanship and longevity at the heart of the story. So perhaps Britain will once again have the chance to be admired the world over for creating quality knitwear that can be loved, cherished and passed on for generations to come.
From our humble studio in the far South West of England, we are proud to be a small part of this future heritage.
THE STUDIO
Our small hands on studio is nestled in a peaceful spot a few miles outside of Penzance. It's a small, creative space home to our vintage knitting machines and an array of yarns that we use on a daily basis.
CORNISH MADE
All our knitwear is designed and crafted here in Cornwall. Most items are made from start to finish in house, however our superfine pieces are made just up the road in St Ives, knitted on a digitally programed industrial Shima knitting machine. We then check, finish and pack these items back in the studio. It feels incredibly special to be able to keep our production processes within an 8 mile radius of the studio!
CRAFTSMANSHIP + SKILLS
We use hand powered knitting machines with a craft-led approach, creating timeless garments and accessories made using traditional and time honoured methods of production; ones that honour the hands of the maker and the heritage skills of British manufacturing.
Our chosen methods of production embrace time, skill and precision. Our garments are fully fashioned (shaped to size) on the machine, which means there is no need to cut fabric down to size or produce excess/wasted fabric. We make in small batches to only produce what is needed and items are made with longevity in mind, with craftsmanship at the heart of our ethos.
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