In 2016 we called a small knitwear manufacturer in the borders of Scotland and asked if they'd be interested in making our first run of jumpers (the original Band Knits), and to our delight they said yes! Ten years on we're still happily working with the same factory.
We took a trip up to Hawick to meet with the team to find out more about their history and passion for knitwear to share with you. We hope you enjoy hearing from the people who make your knits, accompanied with portraits by Craig Easton.
ALLAN & KEVIN (DIRECTORS)
How long have you been working in knitwear?
ALLAN: I’ve been in knitwear for 40 years. My whole family were involved in knitwear, my dad was a framework knitter and my mum was a body linker so she assembled the garments.
KEVIN: I’ve been working in knitwear since 1980 when I left school I got into a youth opportunity scheme, and now I’m a director with Allan and I also do hand intarsia. My mother used to work in a tweed factory, my father was a mechanic and my sister worked at a kilt maker.
Have you noticed a difference in what people are looking for?
ALLAN: Well yes, I think what people are mainly looking for now is value for money and quality produce. Hawick still has a name for sure within the industry worldwide for being very good quality – yes it may cost a bit more but as I keep saying people will pay that little bit more if they are getting something that is going to last and they do.
What makes a successful piece of knitwear?
KEVIN: I think the time spent on it and the quality, don’t rush a thing to make sure you get that quality and use your time well. Knitwear is a beautiful thing.
What is your favourite HADES piece to make?
ALLAN: My favourite was the Blondie Parallel Lines jumper. I just think in many ways it’s quite simple, but sometimes simple is best.
KEVIN: I think the bands. I like the Blondie one, the Parallel Lines. That’s kind of my era, I remember when it came out – it’s a memory thing for me.
SANDRA
How long have you been working in knitwear?
I started working in knitwear in January 1988. My mum and dad were both in knitwear, my brother was working on the tweed side. I started at Pringle, it was really big. I think there were 2000 people altogether, between the two or three factories they had. I stayed there until it closed in 2008. My role includes multitasking! Body linking, collar linking, tacking.
What is your favourite HADES piece to make?
I like doing the Hooded Scarf. It was a bit fiddly getting the colours to change in the middle.
What makes a successful piece of knitwear?
The time that it takes to do it, I think it’s nice when it's not rushed and it’s put together with pride. A lot of the team takes pride in making and putting together the knitwear we create.
FINLAY
What does your role entail?
I operate the Shima Seiki knitting machines, putting all the cones of yarn in through to the yarn feeder points, making sure that every panel that comes off the machine is up to scratch. I’ve been working for five years now.
What change do you want to see in the knitwear industry?
I think there’s lots more to be done on the Shimas, so you can get pockets integrated on or like a hood. I think eventually you won’t need to have body linkers anymore because you can do whole garments.
What makes a successful piece of knitwear?
I think proper yarn is important but the wash is as well.
What is your favourite Hades piece to make?
It would have to be the Sex Pistols jumper.
SHARON
How long have you been working in knitwear?
42 years. When I left school at 16 I initially worked at Clan Douglas first then John Laing.
What does your role entail?
I do the button and buttonhole and the tabbing and I do the tacking as well plus quality control it as well before it goes out before it goes out.
What’s your favourite HADES piece?
I like the little wee tight one with the v-neck in the Blondie collection [the Debbie Knit].
KEITH
How long have you been working in knitwear?
I've been in the knitwear trade for 70 years, I left school and got straight into the industry. I'm a hand knitting machine operator here (Set-up, repair, adjust, maintain and test hand knitting machines).
MOIRA
How long have you been working in knitwear?
I have been working in knitwear for 57 years! I joined as an apprentice when leaving School. I am a knitting machinist. I add the button holes, chalking up their spacing, I add the trimming behind the buttons and hand sew around the neckline.
We hope you enjoyed finding out more about the people behind the HADES jumpers and scarves.
