A closer look at our knit

A closer look at your sweater 
Cotton, lambswool, merino wool. How well do you know the fibers of your sweater? In this blog post, we would like to dive a little deeper into the key component of our knitwear: the fiber. 

Before the fiber is spun, dyed, and knitted, the finished knit has already been shaped by the fiber chosen for the garment; how it will feel against the skin, how warm it keeps you, how it drapes, how it looks after hundreds of wears, and how you can care for it. Why? Because each fiber has its own qualities that define the finished garment. 

Our knitwear is made from three natural fibers: organic cotton, lambswool, and merino wool. Each one has its own origin and story, so let’s take a closer look. 

Cotton 
Cotton has been used as a textile fiber for thousands of years. Grown in tropical and subtropical regions with warm climates, the cotton plant needs long growing seasons of 150-180 days and plenty of sunshine. Few regions in the world offer ideal conditions for cotton farming; among them is India, where a lot of KnowledgeCotton Apparel’s cotton is sourced. 

Our cotton fibers are certified organic, which means they are grown from seeds that are not genetically modified and without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Our GOTS certification also sets requirements beyond the farm: 

• Chemicals used in processing, such as dyes, must meet strict criteria, and substances like heavy metals are prohibited. 
• Every facility involved in wet processing, such as dyeing, must treat its wastewater. 
• All processors must meet social criteria, including a ban on harsh or inhumane treatment. 

Under a microscope, the cotton fiber looks like a flat, twisted ribbon. The natural twists help the fibers grip each other when they are spun into yarn. The longer the fiber, the smoother and stronger the yarn, and the less likely it is to pill. 

Cotton fibers have a clean, matte surface and take color beautifully. Unlike wool, cotton doesn’t create a soft halo, so every stitch stays crisp and defined, giving cotton knitwear a fresh, graphic look. Cotton feels soft and smooth against the skin; it breathes well and absorbs moisture readily, which makes a cotton knit comfortable across a range of temperatures. Ideal for mild days and layering outfits. 

While cotton is a strong fiber, it lacks the natural elasticity of wool. A cotton knit can relax and lose shape if it’s hung up or stretched for long periods. To care for your cotton sweater, wash it inside out at a low temperature, and lay the knit flat to dry in its original shape. Fold rather than hang, so the weight of the knit doesn’t pull it out of shape. 

Our organic cotton knitwear is GOTS certified by Control Union under license number GOTS-17522. As a plant fiber, cotton is naturally vegan, and our organic cotton knitwear is PETA-Approved Vegan. 

What makes lambswool special is the age of the sheep. A lamb’s fleece is generally finer than an adult sheep’s, and the finer the fiber, the softer it feels against the skin. Lambswool comes from a sheep’s very first shearing, when the lamb is around six to seven months old. The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) sets requirements for animal welfare and land management on sheep farms, with chain-of-custody requirements for certified wool. 

Wool is a protein fiber made of keratin, the same protein found in your own hair. Its surface is covered in tiny, overlapping scales, and the fiber grows with a natural wave called crimp. The crimp is where the warmth comes from. All those tiny waves keep the fibers from lying flat, trapping pockets of still air that hold body heat close. 

Lambswool has a soft, slightly brushed surface with a gentle halo, which gives colors a warm, heathered depth. It’s the look of a classic winter sweater: cozy, textured, and relaxed. Wool also handles moisture in a clever way. It can absorb a large amount of water vapor into the fiber itself before it starts to feel damp, which helps you stay comfortable as you move between cold air outside and warm rooms inside. 

Lambswool fibers are soft and relatively short, so a new knit may pill a little in the first weeks, especially where it rubs against a bag strap or a jacket. This is a natural part of wearing wool, and it usually settles down after the loose fibers have worked their way out. A fabric comb or knit shaver removes pills easily. 

The crimp gives lambswool its natural elasticity, so a knit moves with you and springs back into shape. However, the fiber’s surface scales come with one warning: combined with heat, water, and friction, they lock together and the knit shrinks and felts. Gentle, cold washing keeps that from happening. 

Wool needs less washing than you might think. Air your knit out between wears, and when it does need a wash, use a cold wool cycle or hand wash. Press out the water gently, lay flat to dry, and store folded. 

Our lambswool is Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified by Control Union under license number RWS-17522. 

The story of merino wool matches the most epic tales. While the origin of its name is surrounded by myths, the merino breeds can be traced back to the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages. Over the course of hundreds of years, the flocks were refined into a breed known for its remarkably fine fibers. So much so that the merino flocks were guarded by a Spanish monopoly until the 18th century, when small flocks were gifted to kings and emperors on the European continent. Back then, merino wool was the world’s most sought-after fiber, and to this day, merino wool is loved for its luxurious quality. 

Merino fibers are exceptionally fine; typically around 24 microns or less, where a micron is a thousandth of a millimeter. That fineness is the whole secret. A coarse wool fiber is stiffenough to poke at the nerve endings in your skin, which is what we feel as itch. A fine merino fiber simply bends instead, so the knit feels smooth rather than scratchy. 

Merino fibers have a very tight, dense crimp, with many more waves per centimeter than coarser wools. More crimp means more trapped air, more stretch, and more bounce. Merino is the great temperature regulator. The trapped air keeps you warm in the cold, while the fiber’s ability to absorb and release moisture vapor helps keep you cool and dry when it’s mild. It also resists odor naturally, which means you can wear it more and wash it less. 

All of this comes in a remarkably lightweight package. A fine merino knit gives real warmth without bulk, which makes it a natural layer under a coat or over a shirt. The fine fibers allow for a fine gauge, so merino knits have a smooth, clean surface, crisp stitch definition, a soft drape, and a subtle natural sheen. 

Merino’s dense crimp gives it excellent elasticity; it stretches with you and returns to shape, wear after wear. Like any fine wool, a merino knit can pill a little at first where it meets friction, which is easy to remove with a fabric comb. Air it out between wears and wash on a cold wool cycle. Press out the water gently, lay flat to dry, and store folded. 

Our merino wool is Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified by Control Union under license number RWS-17522. 

There's no single best fiber; only the one that suits your day. Whichever you choose, a little care goes a long way. Air your wool, fold your knits, wash cool and gently, and your knitwear will keep its shape and softness for many seasons to come. 

Ready to find yours? Explore our men’s knitwear and women’s knitwear, and use the material filter to narrow your search to cotton or wool. 

Sources used in this blog post, as of October 2026. 

• Ecological and social criteria, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): requirements for organic fiber production, restrictions on chemicals in processing, mandatory wastewater treatment, and social criteria.