Inti Knitwear

Production Locations

• Ecuador (hand-knitting in villages, including the La Paz region near the Colombian border)

Working Conditions & Living Wages

INTI works with over 700 women in rural villages across Ecuador, and every garment is made by hand. 

According to the brand, this work gives the women a sense of purpose and an income of their own, while allowing them to plan their workload around their personal needs. 

Because the founders spend half of the year in Ecuador, they stay in direct contact with the knitters. The brand states that this collaboration has grown into lively communities, where women share techniques, check each other’s work and knit together.

The brand doesn’t disclose how much the knitters earn or whether this amounts to a living wage. 

Materials

• Baby alpaca wool (from Peru)
• Merino wool
• Acrylic
• Nylon

On the website it is stated that INTI uses ​“the highest quality baby alpaca wool from Peru”. Good to know: ​“baby alpaca” refers to the fineness of the fibre, not to the age of the animal. Alpaca wool is soft, warm and naturally insulating. The brand also claims alpaca wool is hypoallergenic because it contains less lanolin than sheep’s wool.

INTI states that it only works with suppliers certified under the Responsible Alpaca Standard (RAS) by Textile Exchange. RAS is an independent, third-party certified standard covering animal welfare, land management and social requirements. 
However, the brand doesn’t share a certificate number or show which products carry the RAS label. We couldn’t verify this claim.

INTI doesn’t share where its merino comes from or whether it’s certified (for example RWS).

Several INTI items blend alpaca with acrylic and nylon. These synthetic fibres are made from fossil fuels. They make the garments cheaper and stronger, but they can release microplastics. 

Packaging

INTI does not disclose what packaging materials are used, either for shipping to stores or within the supply chain.

Water Usage & Chemicals

INTI shares no information about dyes, chemical management or water use during production. 

The synthetic blends can shed microplastics, especially during washing. The good news? Wool is naturally self-cleaning. INTI recommends airing your garment instead of washing it. When you do wash it, the brand advises a cold wool cycle (the website says 0 degrees) and a pH-neutral wool detergent. Less washing means less water, energy and microplastic release. 

Circular Product Design

Their mono-material items are easier to recycle and can potentially be biodegradable. 

Items that blend alpaca with acrylic or nylon are harder to recycle. 

INTI claims to use leftover wool from production to make new scarves. 

Circular Business Models

INTI does not offer a repair service, a take-back scheme, resale or rental, as far as we could find.

The brand does share detailed care instructions. It recommends a wool comb or a Sweater Stone to remove pilling. Good care helps your knit last longer. 

Distance & Complexity of the Supply Chain

• Production locations: Peru (alpaca wool), Ecuador (hand-knitting)
• INTI HQ is located in the Netherlands

Transportation

• Transportation in the supply chain: INTI doesn’t disclose how garments travel from Ecuador to the Netherlands.
• Transportation in e‑commerce: INTI mainly sells through retail stores.

• Alpaca wool
• Merino wool
• Sourcing: alpaca wool from Peru, merino wool origin unknown

INTI claims it only works with RAS-certified alpaca suppliers. RAS protects the Five Freedoms of animal welfare and requires independent audits at every stage of the supply chain. 

INTI doesn’t state whether its merino is mulesing-free or RWS-certified. There is no code of conduct on animal materials available.

Product Design

INTI makes knitwear for women: hand-knitted jumpers, cardigans and shawls, plus accessories like hats and scarves. The designs are colourful, with knitted patterns and colour blocks. Every piece is handmade, so small irregularities are part of its unique character. 

Alpaca wool is one of the strongest wool types, which supports durability. 

Slow Fashion Processes

INTI releases just one collection a year. All items are made in limited production runs.

Transparency on Product

As INTI mainly sells through retail stores, the brand doesn’t have typical product pages that list details such as fibre composition or material origin per item. 
INTI does share general information about its materials and hand-knitted production in Ecuador. However, there is no traceability at product level.

Transparency on Processes

INTI is open about who makes its garments and how the brand collaborates with its knitters. This transparency is supported by the founders’ direct contact with Ecuador, where they spend half of the year, and by the long-term relationships with the women who hand-knit each piece. 

However, INTI doesn’t disclose wages, certificate details or an annual report on its social or environmental impact.