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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 the studio using 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. Our Swiss made vintage Dubied machine had been well loved and used by others in the industry before arriving in our studio in 2020. Over 80 years old, it's an amazingly robust machine that continues to work like a dream. Our Brother domestic machines are also second hand and manual by nature.
NATURAL MATERIALS
We like to work with biodegradable and breathable yarns not only to minimise environmental impact, but also becuase they really are the best thing to wear next to your skin. Our most used fibre is pure sheeps wool, but we also work with silk, mohair, alpaca and occasionally cotton or linen.
Britain has a wonderfully rich histry of knitwear and clothing manufacturing, and we are proud to be a little part of this history, keeping these small scale, local production processes alive.
THE STUDIO
Our small, industrious studio is nestled in a peaceful spot a few miles outside of Penzance. Here, we work using hand powered knitting machines to create timeless garments and accessories using traditional and time honoured processes.
CORNISH MADE
All our items are Cornish designed and made. Most pieces are crafted in house, but our superfine range is made just up the road in St Ives, knitted by Charlotte on a digitally programed industrial Sheima knitting machine. We are proud to keep our production processes within an 8 mile radius of our studio!
ARTISAN SKILLS
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 artisan craft at the heart of our practice.
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