Eribé Knitwear

ERIBÉ Knitwear, based in Melrose, Scotland, has evolved from a one-person startup in 1986 to a distinguished knitwear design house and manufacturer. The company’s growth is rooted in Rosemary Eribé’s commitment to craftsmanship, community, and collaboration. Most importantly, ERIBÉ Knitwear is an accredited Living Wage Employer (part of the Living Wage Foundation, verified by COSH! as of 2024), committed to paying a wage based on the cost of living to all their staff. 

ERIBÉ proudly supports local production, maintaining operations in-house in Scotland and occasionally partnering with family-run factories within the EU. Their European production adheres to strict EU ethical standards, ensuring quality and ethical practices across all stages. They also source some yarns from a family owned company in Yorkshire, the proximity of which helps them ensure ethical production practices. The wool that is later spun into yarns is sourced from Britain and New Zealand, both of which follow very strict regulations on ethical workplace practices and treatment of animals. The brand also stands out for its innovative use of traditional techniques and preserving craftsmanship in creating distinctive knitwear pieces. 

ERIBÉ Knitwear is committed to sustainable practices, using only high-quality natural wool yarns like lambswool, merino, and mohair, sourced from Britain and New Zealand. Their use of only one type of material uncomplicates their sustainability efforts, such as ensuring environmentally friendly sourcing and recycling at the end of use. They prioritize the use of environmentally friendly dyes and processes, such as their Yorkshire mill’s efforts to reduce power usage and recycle all waste. The spinner for their merino wool ensures water used in dyeing is cleaned and returned safely to the environment. All dyes and chemicals supposedly comply with EU REACH and OEKO-TEX standards, ensuring minimal environmental impact (certification unverified). The commitment to mulesing-free wool and adherence to strict dye regulations highlights their dedication to sustainability.

ERIBÉ Knitwear demonstrates strong circular principles by utilizing natural materials like wool, which is both recyclable and biodegradable. Their products are all monomaterial, making recycling easy at the end of use. More details on the finishing chemicals used would help assess the full circular potential, as certain chemicals can hinder biodegradability. The brand’s use of inherently circular materials highlights their commitment to sustainable practices.

ERIBÉ Knitwear’s operations are centred in Melrose, Scotland, where they have their main production facility and warehouse. Wool is sourced primarily from Scotland and Britain, with additional wool from New Zealand, and spun in Yorkshire, North England. Some production also occurs in family-owned factories across the EU. This configuration allows for a predominantly short production chain, minimizing transport emissions within Europe. However, the import of wool from New Zealand does extend the supply chain, and the transportation methods for these longer distances are not specified, which could impact overall emissions assessments. 

ERIBÉ Knitwear prioritizes animal welfare in its sourcing of wool. The brand supposedly utilizes RWS Certified wool, which ensures non-mulesing practices. Additionally, their wool is supposed to be certified by the British Wool Board, affirming high standards of animal welfare and quality fibre. However, none of their certification details are provided for verification. 

ERIBÉ Knitwear champions slow fashion with its commitment to quality and longevity. The brand skilfully combines traditional Scottish knitting techniques, such as Fair Isle, with modern designs that are made to last. Their garments are crafted from high-quality, natural woollen yarns that require minimal care, often needing only airing out to refresh. ERIBÉ also provides detailed wash and care instructions to ensure the longevity of each piece. Their approach includes offering unique, limited edition items from an archive collection, promoting sustainability and reducing waste by extending the lifecycle of their garments.

ERIBÉ Knitwear excels in transparency, providing clear details about their sourcing, production locations, and the chemicals used in manufacturing. While they already offer extensive information, there is still room for improvement in disclosing their transportation methods and packaging materials. Their openness about their operational processes sets a strong example for transparency in the fashion industry, but further details could provide even greater reassurance to conscientious consumers.