Wool as a driver for change
The Knitwit Stable is a knowledge institute that conducts research into the biocircular processing of wool on a local scale. Looking back to the vibrant industry that the Netherlands once had, we combine tradition and new regenerative principles to restore that industry and restore the value of Dutch wool as a sustainable raw material. In the small-scale production factory on our farm in Baambrugge, our own brand The Knitwit Label serves as an example of a bio-circular production chain. Based on traditional and animal-friendly methods of livestock farming, valuable products are made with wool as a driver for change in a way that is future-proof. Reina Ovinge and her colleagues make the path to sustainable wool accessible, transparent and insightful. She does this by exposing the entire production chain of wool. In this way, The Knitwit Stable advises, informs and facilitates companies and fashion professionals. From animal-friendly livestock farming, via sustainable production and processing of materials, to advice on supply chains and communication; everything is covered in, for example, training courses and lectures. The Knitwit Stable also collaborates with other companies, makers, and designers. We breed angora goats and merino sheep ourselves. The Knitwit Stable uses their fleeces to make sustainable yarns and woolen end products on various industrial knitting machines in the studio. This way, this versatile renewable material gets the appreciation it deserves.
Reina
I have worked in fashion for over 20 years as a buyer and supplier. During my career I have only seen the industry become bigger, faster, cheaper and more unreasonable. During my travels it started to gnaw at me that the effort, underpaid labor and pollution that goes into a cardigan that ultimately hangs in the store for € 19.95 is only worn a few times by many, is often thrown away and has now become a disposable item. The current system that underlies our clothing is clearly outdated and causes great damage to people, animals and the environment. As a supplier I found myself stuck in a fashion system where I could do little to change. That is why I started the farm, small-scale production factory and education center. Research in places like South Africa and Italy yielded a lot of knowledge about the production and processing of sustainable mohair and Dutch wool. In addition to caring for our animals, it has been an enormous job and research to set up the current chain from sheep, goat and alpaca to end product again. However, I still feel that an important step is missing. That is why I am currently investigating and following training courses to see if I can do more to increase biodiversity, capture CO2 and contribute to healthy soil on our hectares of land. In this way, I hope to make a positive contribution to the fashion world and nature with The Knitwit Stable.
Reina
I have worked in fashion for over 20 years as a buyer and supplier. During my career I have only seen the industry become bigger, faster, cheaper and more unreasonable. During my travels it started to gnaw at me that the effort, underpaid labor and pollution that goes into a cardigan that ultimately hangs in the store for € 19.95 is only worn a few times by many, is often thrown away and has now become a disposable item. The current system that underlies our clothing is clearly outdated and causes great damage to people, animals and the environment. As a supplier I found myself stuck in a fashion system where I could do little to change. That is why I started the farm, small-scale production factory and education center. Research in places like South Africa and Italy yielded a lot of knowledge about the production and processing of sustainable mohair and Dutch wool. In addition to caring for our animals, it has been an enormous job and research to set up the current chain from sheep, goat and alpaca to end product again. However, I still feel that an important step is missing. That is why I am currently investigating and following training courses to see if I can do more to increase biodiversity, capture CO2 and contribute to healthy soil on our hectares of land. In this way, I hope to make a positive contribution to the fashion world and nature with The Knitwit Stable.
Erica
Since 2019 I have enjoyed working at The Knitwit Stable; a unique place where I feel at home and where many of my interests come together. Nature, the animals, sustainable entrepreneurship and my creativity. If you take part in the master class with us, I will help you on your way behind the knitting machine. If you order a sweater from our label , I will make it for you with love. For my own label I design and make soft colorful products; modern knitwear with motifs and structures from nature that I translate into designs and process on the knitting machine.
Erica
Since 2019 I have enjoyed working at The Knitwit Stable; a unique place where I feel at home and where many of my interests come together. Nature, the animals, sustainable entrepreneurship and my creativity. If you take part in the master class with us, I will help you on your way behind the knitting machine. If you order a sweater from our label , I will make it for you with love. For my own label I design and make soft colorful products; modern knitwear with motifs and structures from nature that I translate into designs and process on the knitting machine.
Mirte
Mirte Luijmes first studied Fashion Design at the HKU and found textiles and knitting interesting to explore further. After this she did a master's degree in Textile Design at The Swedish School of Textiles, focusing on knitting techniques. In her own work she focuses on combining natural organisms and textiles. Sustainability and consciously choosing clothing are important to her and she therefore wants to work for a company she can support. At The Knitwit Stable she links sweaters together, gives master classes on the Brother knitting machines and started as a technical knitter on the Stoll machines. She also monitors the quality of our products.
Mirte
Mirte Luijmes first studied Fashion Design at the HKU and found textiles and knitting interesting to explore further. After this she did a master's degree in Textile Design at The Swedish School of Textiles, focusing on knitting techniques. In her own work she focuses on combining natural organisms and textiles. Sustainability and consciously choosing clothing are important to her and she therefore wants to work for a company she can support. At The Knitwit Stable she links sweaters together, gives master classes on the Brother knitting machines and started as a technical knitter on the Stoll machines. She also monitors the quality of our products.
Cees
Cees originally joined The Knitwit Stable to help Reina take care of the animals . Slowly he started doing more and more for us and he also became interested in the different processes on the farm. Cees is now simply part of the Knitwit family.
Cees
Cees originally joined The Knitwit Stable to help Reina take care of the animals . Slowly he started doing more and more for us and he also became interested in the different processes on the farm. Cees is now simply part of the Knitwit family.
Katy
Katy started working here in November 2024 as a Production Associate / Linker. She is responsible for garment production, including linking, sewing and finishing knits by hand for our in-house brand The Knitwit Label.
With a bachelor in Fashion & Design from AMFI, she wanted to specialise further in knitwear so she completed a master in Fashion Knitwear Design from Nottingham Trent University.
Katy is a Multi-Disciplinary Creative, with experience in Knitwear Design, Knitwear Programming, Textile Design, Trend Forecasting and Creative Design. She also has experience teaching in the field of knitwear, so assists with pleasure during masterclasses on our knitting machines at the Knitwit Stable.
Katy
Katy started working here in November 2024 as a Production Associate / Linker. She is responsible for garment production, including linking, sewing and finishing knits by hand for our in-house brand The Knitwit Label.
With a bachelor in Fashion & Design from AMFI, she wanted to specialise further in knitwear so she completed a master in Fashion Knitwear Design from Nottingham Trent University.
Katy is a Multi-Disciplinary Creative, with experience in Knitwear Design, Knitwear Programming, Textile Design, Trend Forecasting and Creative Design. She also has experience teaching in the field of knitwear, so assists with pleasure during masterclasses on our knitting machines at the Knitwit Stable.
Marleen
Hi! I'm Marleen and I study Fashion & Textile Technologies at Saxion in Enschede. Since February I've been an intern at The Knitwit Stable. I was looking for a company where sustainability is self-evident, and that's certainly the case here. My interest lies mainly in production and I like to spend my free time sewing clothes for myself or others. For my internship research I'm working on optimizing the work process, which allows me to learn even more about all the different production steps. Very interesting to experience everything like this!
Marleen
Hi! I'm Marleen and I study Fashion & Textile Technologies at Saxion in Enschede. Since February I've been an intern at The Knitwit Stable. I was looking for a company where sustainability is self-evident, and that's certainly the case here. My interest lies mainly in production and I like to spend my free time sewing clothes for myself or others. For my internship research I'm working on optimizing the work process, which allows me to learn even more about all the different production steps. Very interesting to experience everything like this!
Johan
Hi! I am Johan and I am studying at the AMFI in the direction of Business and Development. After the first year of study I was shocked about what is going on in the clothing industry and I started to delve into both the current industry and a potential more sustainable industry. Traceability and therefore transparency are one of the most important factors in a value chain for me since it ensures that you can do research into the impact of a company. The idea of a regenerative fashion industry also appeals to me; that producing clothing could ultimately contribute to restoring biodiversity and adding value to the lives of the people through whose hands the clothing passes during the process. I have been doing an internship at The Knitwit Stable since February and I find exactly the values that I find important here. I am doing research into the scalability of sustainable companies without compromising on sustainable values. I hope to eventually be able to contribute to the creation of this alternative fashion industry.
Johan
Hi! I am Johan and I am studying at the AMFI in the direction of Business and Development. After the first year of study I was shocked about what is going on in the clothing industry and I started to delve into both the current industry and a potential more sustainable industry. Traceability and therefore transparency are one of the most important factors in a value chain for me since it ensures that you can do research into the impact of a company. The idea of a regenerative fashion industry also appeals to me; that producing clothing could ultimately contribute to restoring biodiversity and adding value to the lives of the people through whose hands the clothing passes during the process. I have been doing an internship at The Knitwit Stable since February and I find exactly the values that I find important here. I am doing research into the scalability of sustainable companies without compromising on sustainable values. I hope to eventually be able to contribute to the creation of this alternative fashion industry.
