How to Embrace Fall 25 Knitwear Trend Sustainably
- Britta Cabanos
- May 30
- 4 min read
🧶 Knitwear & Crochet: Winter 2025/26 Trend Report — How to Embrace It Sustainably
As a dedicated designer or industry professional engaged in the exciting world of product development, you recognize the importance of strategic planning—often a year or more in advance. Today, we find ourselves looking forward to the vibrant possibilities of Fall/Winter 25/26. Embracing sustainable practices is crucial, but it’s equally vital to remain relevant in a fast-paced market. By offering a harmonious blend of timeless and innovative styles, you can captivate your customers and foster their loyalty, all while upholding the core values that define your brand.
As we anticipate the trends for Winter 2025/26, knitwear and crochet are making a striking, textured impact, particularly in festive and party wear lines. This season, brands are transforming the simple stitch into a realm of high glamour, merging traditional methods with contemporary elegance. The trend features everything from sturdy open-weave crochet to light, sheer knits, seamlessly combining comfort and craftsmanship with a touch of shine and sophistication.
Designers like Amiri and Ulla Johnson weave metallic threads for a luminous finish, while Missoni and Lanvin take it further with sequins that sparkle under party lights. Unique textures rule, with Ermanno Scervino experimenting with lace-like knits and Twinset embracing tactile, differentiated stitches. Decorative touches—floral appliqués, fringe, and ruffles—add a romantic edge.
But how can we embrace this trend consciously? Whether you're a DIY enthusiast, fashion designer, or creative professional, here’s how to weave sustainability into your knitwear approach:
🌱 Sustainable Ways to Embrace the Knitwear Trend
✨ For DIY Creatives:
Upcycle Old Knits. Transform sweaters or scarves you no longer wear into patchwork pieces, knit accessories, or crochet trims. Add hand-applied sequins or fringe for a modern partywear update.
Recycled Silk Yarn "Spice Market" from Darn Good Yarn Try Circular Yarn Sources. Use sustainable yarns made from recycled fibers or biodegradable options like TENCEL™, bamboo, or organic cotton. Try:
Darn Good Yarn for recycled sari silk and artisan-sourced yarns.
Learn a New Stitch Technique. Incorporate lace stitches, bobbles, or openwork patterns to mimic runway textures. Online tutorials like Skillshare Crochet & Knitting Classes offer beginner-friendly and advanced options.
🧵 For Designers & Industry Pros
Partner with Artisan Knitters. Collaborate with local or global cooperatives that specialize in handknit or crochet garments. This supports traditional craftsmanship while reducing your carbon footprint. Learn how to do this with our Ethical Sourcing Workshop!
Choose Low-Impact Yarns. Opt for mills that offer transparency in sourcing and dyeing—like Filpucci or The New Denim Project for upcycled yarns.
THE NEW DENIM PROJECT- TEXTILES Zero-Waste Flatbed Knitting. Flatbed knitting technology enables made-to-shape production, reducing textile waste. Brands like Zero Waste Daniel and PH5 use this approach to create eco-conscious knits with fashion-forward silhouettes.
Design Modular & Repair-Friendly Pieces. Allow your knitwear to be easily taken apart, reconfigured, or repaired—think detachable sleeves, interchangeable trims, or reversible garments.
💡 Style Tip: Crochet Isn’t Just Boho Anymore
This season’s crochet feels sculptural, refined, and tailored—more cocktail hour than cottagecore. Pair a vintage-inspired crochet top with modern tailoring, or layer a delicate lace knit under a blazer to blend softness with structure.
🧶 In Summary
The Knitwear & Crochet trend for Winter 2025/26 offers a special opportunity to combine artisanal craft with sustainability. By choosing conscious materials, reviving handmade skills, and designing with longevity in mind, this is one trend that’s both stylish and meaningful.
So whether you’re picking up your needles, designing your next collection, or browsing vintage markets—think texture, shine, and sustainability. Your wardrobe (and the planet) will thank you.
Learn More: 🧵 What is Flatbed Knitting?
Flatbed knitting is transforming modern fashion by blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge sustainability. This list introduces you to the essentials of flatbed knitting—what it is, why it matters, and how to use it consciously in your design and production process.
Flatbed knitting machines, with their horizontal bed of needles, are the champions of waste reduction in the fashion industry. Unlike circular knitting, which produces tubes, flatbed knitting is ideal for creating shaped pieces that are stitched together—or even whole garments—with little to no waste, making it a responsible choice for sustainable fashion designers.
🌍 Why It’s Sustainable
Flatbed knitting offers several sustainable advantages:
• Fully fashioned garments = less fabric waste
• Seamless technology reduces assembly labor and materials
• Enables small-batch, on-demand production
• Precise fit minimizes product returns
🛠 Key Applications
• Flatbed knitting for sweaters, cardigans, and scarves
• Lace-effect stitches, open weaves, and 3D textures
• Shine through metallic yarns or integrated sequins
🎨 Designer Action Steps
1. Partner with artisan knitters or cooperatives
2. Source yarns made from recycled or organic materials
3. Explore Shima Seiki or Stoll for 3D/zero-waste production
4. Design modular or repair-friendly garments
🧶 DIY Ideas to Try at Home
• Repurpose old sweaters into patchwork scarves or accessories
• Learn a new openwork or lace stitch
• Add fringe, metallic yarn, or sequin embroidery to personalize a knit
🔗 Learn More
• Shima Seiki WHOLEGARMENT®: https://www.shimaseiki.com/wholegarment/
• Stoll Flatbed Machines: https://www.stoll.com/
• Wool and the Gang Yarns: https://www.woolandthegang.com
• Knitwear Lab (R&D and training): https://www.knitwearlab.nl
Thanks for reading today! Know someone who would like this article? Please share. Are you a knitter or knit designer? What are your favorite sustainable techniques?
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