Inti Knitwear
Inti Knitwear is a Dutch knitwear label founded in 1993 by Anna Cales and Leon van den Broek. Its sweaters, cardigans and accessories are hand-knitted from merino and baby alpaca in Otavalo, Ecuador.
| Founded | 1993 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Anna Cales, Leon van den Broek |
| Production | Otavalo, Ecuador |
| Materials | Merino and baby alpaca |
| Knitters | 700+ |
| Website | intiknitwear.com |
What is Inti Knitwear?
Inti Knitwear is a Dutch label specialising in hand-knitted wool garments. It was founded in 1993 by Anna Cales and Leon van den Broek, who first travelled to South America as backpackers and decided to stay.
Production
Production takes place in Otavalo, northern Ecuador, where the founders spend half of each year. The brand works with a team of more than 700 knitters, who can work from home on their own schedules. Each knitter is credited by name on the label of the garment they made.
Products and positioning
The range covers:
- Sweaters and cardigans
- Hats, scarves and mittens
Garments are made from merino and baby alpaca wool. The brand highlights that the wool contains no lanolin, making it hypoallergenic, and that alpaca fibre is naturally water-repellent and helps regulate temperature. Designs range from simple basics to pieces with traditional Ecuadorian motifs, in many colours and patterns.
Distribution
Inti Knitwear is sold through independent boutiques and specialist retailers in Europe, including stores in the Netherlands and the German retailer Manufactum.
Why it matters
Inti Knitwear shows a long-running model of transparent artisan production, where naming the maker on each garment turns supply chain traceability into part of the product.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Inti Knitwear made?
Inti Knitwear is hand-knitted in Otavalo, northern Ecuador, by a team of more than 700 knitters.
Who founded Inti Knitwear?
The Dutch label was founded in 1993 by Anna Cales and Leon van den Broek.