The Knitted Revolution

Sensations in silk and wool

Suiting up is becoming a broader concept day by day and formal wear seems to leave a lot more leeway for play – perhaps the knitted tie’s coming back in style is a sign of informal fashion winds blowing. Or is it perhaps a sign of the modern man’s openness to the softer values in life :)? Whatever the explanation, the knitted revival is a fact. Knitted ties were really popular in the sixties with Sean Connery, James Dean and the Beatles as flagpost wearers. The revival has been going on for quite a while in Italy, with ever more markets latching on. Knitted bow ties have been more rare, but we have a hunch that these chubbies, with their unique, slightly drooping expression, will catch many eyes! And the pocket squares are simply spectacular and actually work well with non-knitted ties as well. Notably several of the pocket square designs differ from the ties.

There are many strengths to knitted: the knitting process produces an undulating web where the tiny level differences on the surface creates shadow effects that adds an extra dimension, a dynamic and vibrant feeling you do not get in plain weave. And knitted accessories can both play down a formal outfit and boost a casual one. Although viable for formal wear, knitted ties rarely feel as formal as plain silk woven ones. Its very visible crochet stitches and bobtail (the straight lower edge) is bound to catch eyes on all occasions, and assumably, the majority doesn’t choose knitted, so if you want to stand out a bit, knitted is a good choice. Silk knit doesn’t wrinkle either, so if packed it’ll come out of your luggage looking as great as ever - a perfect choice for Christmas, really, when you want to feel comfy with family and friends, but still look your best. Knit creates bigger knots, though, so choose smaller knots, like four-in-hand.

Most knitted ties are made out of silk or wool. Knitting patterns seems to be more challenging than weaving them, which may partially explain why knitted ties are predominantly solid. Our collection broadly follows this “knit protocol”, with 22 silk ties, 11 wool ones and roughly half of them solids. All but three are moss knitted - solid Placido is Bolmo knitted. Among the patterned ones you’ll find Bruin, Giles, Luuk, Orhan and Pim clad in starry v-dots, polka dots on Yale, Padraig and Quinn and careful stripes on Arnold, Horst, Uwe and Werner (the two latter flat-knitted). Arild and Cees are perhaps the odd birds out in the crowd, but nonetheless dashing.