The Art of Scottish Knitwear: From Hawick to Your Wardrobe
There is a small town in the Scottish Borders called Hawick — pronounced ‘Hoyk’ by those who know it well — that has been synonymous with the finest knitwear in the world for over two centuries. It is a place where the cold River Teviot runs through stone-built mills, where generations of craftspeople have perfected the art of working with the world’s most precious natural fibres. It is from this tradition that Hawick of Scotland draws its name, its values, and its soul.
A Heritage Born in the Borders
Scottish knitwear has its roots in the 18th century, when the Border towns of Hawick, Galashiels, and Selkirk became the centre of Britain’s wool trade. The cold, damp climate of the Scottish Borders was ideal for working with wool — the moisture in the air kept the fibres supple and easy to handle. Over generations, the craftspeople of Hawick developed techniques for spinning, knitting, and finishing that remain largely unchanged to this day.
The hallmarks of true Scottish knitwear are a tightness of stitch that gives the fabric its structure, a softness of hand that comes only from the finest natural yarns, and a durability that means a well-made piece can last decades. These are not garments that are designed to be replaced each season. They are investments in quality that improve with age.
Founded in 1987: Our Story
Hawick of Scotland was founded in 1987 with a single conviction: that the finest knitwear traditions of Scotland could be brought to life in India, using the extraordinary skills of Himalayan artisans and the world’s most exceptional natural fibres. For nearly four decades, we have been doing exactly that.
Our manufacturing home is in Himachal Pradesh, where the mountain air and the meticulous hands of our craftspeople create conditions that are, in their own way, as special as those of the Scottish Borders. Our artisans have been trained in the traditions of Scottish knitwear — the gauge of the knit, the finishing of the seams, the blocking of the final garment — and they bring to their work a patience and precision that is deeply rooted in the craft traditions of the Himalayas.
The Fibres We Choose
At Hawick of Scotland, we work exclusively with three fibres: 100% cashmere, 100% lambswool, and the extraordinarily rare vicuña. Each is chosen for its exceptional qualities and its suitability for the discerning Indian customer who understands the difference between luxury and mere expense.
Cashmere comes from the soft undercoat of the Changthangi goat, combed by hand each spring in the high plateaus of Ladakh and Mongolia. It is eight times warmer than sheep’s wool and extraordinarily light — a cashmere sweater that weighs almost nothing can keep you warm through the coldest Delhi night.
Lambswool is shorn from young sheep at their first shearing, when the fibres are at their finest and softest. It has a natural elasticity that means it holds its shape beautifully, and a warmth-to-weight ratio that makes it ideal for the variable temperatures of an Indian winter.
From Our Hands to Yours
Every piece that leaves our workshop in Himachal Pradesh carries with it nearly 40 years of accumulated knowledge, the traditions of Scottish knitwear, and the skill of Himalayan hands. When you wear a Hawick of Scotland garment, you are wearing a piece of that story.
We invite you to explore our collection and find the piece that will become part of your own.
