16 Antipodean Knitwear Brands We’re Rugging Up With This Winter

If your seasonal wardrobe is anything like ours, jumpers, cardigans and rollnecks are firmly back in rotation. Hopefully they’ve emerged from storage free of moth holes and ready to wear for another season. Maybe some needed a gentle wash, others a darn at the elbow. The beauty of investing in hard-working essentials is that they’re there to greet you year after year.

And when it comes to knitwear, paying attention to fibres is the key to finding pieces that last. Merino wool, cashmere, cotton, alpaca and mohair are some of the best choices for staying warm (without overheating) and ensuring longevity in your closet.

If you’re in the market for a cosy new layer, there’s an energy for personality-packed pieces in the air – whether that’s made-to-order styles and DIY moments, or bold colours that shake up classic silhouettes.

Kowtow

New Zealand brand Kowtow is built on a circular design model with a commitment to transparent manufacturing and responsible trade. But how does that translate into its knitwear collection? Each season, pieces are made from 100 per cent certified Fairtrade organic cotton and knitted individually to prevent yarn waste during production. V neck jumpers, wrap-style cardigans and knitted polos arrive in classic colours that can be worn year after year.

Wixii

Wixii stands out in this list for its contemporary silhouettes – including ’90s-style cap-sleeve T-shirts, chunky stretch headbands and boat-neck dresses – reimagined in ultra-fine cashmere, silk blends and soft organic fibres. Crafted with artisans in Nepal, the New Zealand label’s pieces are designed to layer easily and move seamlessly through the seasons. The mainline palette leans toward earthy tones like olive, riverstone grey and mauve pink, punctuated by occasional hints of tangelo or royal purple. Each piece is ultra-soft, beautifully made, and comes editor approved.

Assembly Label

Walking the line between timeless and trending, Assembly Label’s range of knitwear is a firm favourite in Broadsheet closets. With a focus on fabric (wool, cashmere and alpaca fibres are common on care labels), these well-priced pieces promise to last winter after winter. Look out for chunky ribbed knit styles, lightweight vests made for layering and even skirts and dresses to add to your collection.

Marle

Knitwear is at the heart of New Zealand brand Marle – it was creative director Juliet Souter’s major at university. With a modern take on traditional silhouettes, Marle’s collection of sweaters and cardigans reject the idea of always needing “newness”, and instead seek to build on what’s already in your wardrobe. “A piece of knitwear made from natural fibres can’t be beat. They are second to none next to the skin and provide unparalleled warmth and moisture-wicking benefits,” Souter says. “When it comes to fit, my personal favourite is a slightly oversized crew neck jumper in a classic stitch.”

McIntyre Merino

McIntyre Merino makes a statement. The Melbourne brand’s signature bright (often striped) styles are packed with personality. But they also promote the power of natural fibres, particularly Australian wool. With proper care, these pieces will leave a legacy on your wardrobe. “Treat a good knit like jeans and only wash once or twice a season,” founder Ned Scholfield says. “When summer comes, wash your knits and store them in a garment bag. This means there will be nothing for those nasty moths to eat and they will leave your favourite knits alone.”

Friends With Frank

If you’re a member of the cardigan gang, be sure to peruse Friends With Frank’s winter offering. This season brings old favourites back, as well as offers new pieces to covet. But the Melbourne brand might be most loved for its fluted-sleeve dresses and tops – and coordinating pleated skirts – which are made from ribbed cotton that can be worn year round.

Toorallie

With roots stretching back to a merino sheep stud founded in 1825, Melbourne label Toorallie knows wool like few others. Brothers Simon and Steve Smith channel that heritage into a tightly edited range of merino knits – fine-rib cardigans, funnel necks, classic crew necks – that are built to resist pilling, hold their shape and, if treated well, last a lifetime.

Aje

Logo details and embellished touches bring Aje’s signature charm to the brand’s knitwear collection. From statement styles that will carry an outfit, to sporty silhouettes that don’t require you to break a sweat when styling (courtesy of Aje Athletica), the Sydney brand always delivers.

Francie

A Francie knit is forever. Luxurious but low impact is the model that founder Anna Woodruff has built her business on, endeavouring to work with ethically accredited factories across Australia and New Zealand. “Our idea of the perfect knit is pieces that respect the body in both fit and in feel,” Woodruff says. “We take the time to do countless fittings on many different beautiful figures, and find the best quality yarns that feel beautiful against the skin – no itchy wool here.”

Elka Collective

The Melbourne brand is a go-to for pared-back dressing. The AW26 collection is made up of midweight knits, luxurious wool layers and versatile essentials, all designed for easy styling through the colder months. Simple cardis in muted hues make great go-to pieces for layering, but there are bolder styles in red to break up the rut of a repetitive winter palette.

Lil’ Knits

Focusing on three key silhouettes – the big knit jumper, cotton cardigan and cotton vest – in a variety of colours, Lil’ Knits aims to offer handmade garments that transcend seasons and can be worn year after year. Exclusively using natural or recycled fabrics is an important part of the process for founder Lillian Morgan, who has been crafting knitwear in Melbourne since 2016.

Lee Mathews

Like most things Lee Mathews, the brand’s knitwear offering is filled with timeless, quality pieces that offer plenty of personality. Seasonal highlights include bold cardigans spun from mohair, luxe cashmere turtlenecks that will swaddle you in style, and the draping wool tees, skirts and pants – the secret weapon when it comes to looking polished in plummeting temperatures.

Frisson Knits

Frisson Knits are handmade in Aotearoa. Each piece is unique and shines a light on how much care goes into the craft. Buying a bespoke knit will cost you more, but pieces that are made-to-order will definitely find a place in your wardrobe for many years to come.

Camilla and Marc

Camilla and Marc do modern wardrobing well. And the brand’s knitwear collection is no different. Chunky turtlenecks match back with denim and tailoring alike for work and weekend wear. Bold sweaters inspire wearers to ditch the usual dreary winter hues. And draping skirts and dresses remind us knitwear isn’t just for the top half.

Standard Issue

New Zealand label Standard Issue has been crafting knits for more than 40 years. Simplicity is at the heart of low-impact styles made from cashmere, merino, possum and alpaca. The brand’s Jumper for Jumper initiative, in partnership with Middlemore Foundation, means for every jumper purchased this winter, Standard Issue pledges to knit and gift a jumper to a Kiwi kid in need.

Jac & Jack

Few brands have mastered elevated essentials quite like Jac & Jack. For more than two decades, the Australian label has focused on refining everyday basics through premium natural fibres – soft cashmere knits, fine merino wool layers and breathable cotton staples that feel as good as they look.

Additional reporting by Simone Richardson.

This story was first published in July 2023 and has since been updated.

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