It’s official—the winter season has kicked in, which means it’s never been a better time to invest in some chic, cosy knitwear brands. Warm, comfortable, and always stylish, knitwear is a wardrobe must-have that lasts season after season.
The Best Knitwear Brands According To marie claire:
- Best Overall: Cable
- Best Affordable: Assembly Label
- Best Investment: Totême
- Best Design: Bassike
‘Sweater weather’ shouldn’t be dreaded when it comes around each year, instead use the chilly months to stock up on some of Australia’s best knitwear offerings.
Whether you’re after a basic, neutral knit perfect for pairing with your trusty blue jeans or on the hunt for a jumper with bold prints and interesting detailing, you’ll be sure to find something in our curated list of local knitwear labels.
Time to get cosy with these trusty knitwear brands.
Read: From Texture To Tailoring: The Coats Defining Winter 2026
Cable
With more than four generations of expertise in Australia’s wool industry, Cable brings a rare sense of authenticity and craftsmanship to modern knitwear. Its Heritage 365 collection, crafted from Woolmark-certified Australian merino wool, is a masterclass in elevated essentials — think impeccably soft cardigans, refined layering pieces and extra-fine merino staples designed to be worn on repeat. The result is knitwear that feels at once luxurious, timeless and effortlessly wearable; the kind of forever pieces every considered wardrobe deserves.
CABLE
The Beaumont Merino Cardigan
CABLE
The Saxon Fine Merino Jumper
CABLE
Edition Ella Crew Jumper
CABLE
Superfine Merino Turtle Neck
Viktoria & Woods
From matching knit loungewear to knit bralette and cardigan sets and classic cableknit jumpers, Viktoria & Woods brings a contemporary approach to the winter staple. Luxurious Australian Merino wool has been a signature of the brand since its establishment in 2004, you can also expect to find chic cashmeres and organic cotton.
VIKTORIA & WOODS
Hart Merino Cardigan
VIKTORIA & WOODS
Argentina Merino Knit
VIKTORIA & WOODS
Duplicity Wool Knit
VIKTORIA & WOODS
Babylon Wool Cardigan
Elka Collective
Melbourne-based label Elka Collective creates pieces that are beautifully constructed with a focus on luxurious natural fabrics. Designed with an easy-to-wear Australian aesthetic in mind, their knits are timeless and are sure to be treasured for decades.
ELKA COLLECTIVE
Agnes Knit Jumper
ELKA COLLECTIVE
Osborne Knit Top
ELKA COLLECTIVE
Marnie Knit Cardigan
ELKA COLLECTIVE
Penny Knit Cardigan
Bassike
There’s a reason Bassike is one of Australia’s most trusted labels, creating pieces that fit with style and ease into any wardrobe. Forever rooted in the relaxed sensibility of Australia, the unique appeal of the brand’s designs lie in its commitment to clothes that feel good, a welcome trait when searching for the perfect knit.
BASSIKE
Low V Neck Slouch Knit
BASSIKE
Fine Gauge Wool Cashmere Polo
BASSIKE
Stripe Detail V Neck Knit
BASSIKE
Zip Detail V Neck Knit
Friend Of Audrey
With Audrey Hepburn as their inspiration, it’s no surprise Friend of Audrey has built the loyal following it has today. Creating collections that are timeless—both in style and quality—each piece features clean lines, contemporary tailoring and silhouettes not bound by changing trends.
FRIEND OF AUDREY
The Cotton Cashmere V-neck Knit
FRIEND OF AUDREY
The Cotton Striped Knit
FRIEND OF AUDREY
The Cotton-Wool Two Piece Top
FRIEND OF AUDREY
The Fluffy Alpaca Cardigan
The Frankie Shop
With Audrey Hepburn as their inspiration, it’s no surprise Friend of Audrey has built the loyal following it has today. Creating collections that are timeless—both in style and quality—each piece features clean lines, contemporary tailoring and silhouettes not bound by changing trends.
THE FRANKIE SHOP
Rhea Turtleneck Sweater
THE FRANKIE SHOP
Elland Brushed Alpaca-Blend Cardigan
THE FRANKIE SHOP
Rafaela Cropped Sweater
THE FRANKIE SHOP
Rafaela Oversized Sweater
Totême
The Stockholm-based brand is built on “distinct design cues, meticulous craftsmanship, and methodic repetition” making for the perfect modern uniform, starting with it’s classic knitwear.
TOTEME
Classic Cashmere Crew Knit
TOTEME
Sleeveless Fine Turtleneck
TOTEME
Hammered Button Cardigan
TOTEME
Crew Cape Knit
Trenery
With a reputation for providing the perfect blend of comfort and style, Trenery offers up elevated basics that are designed with modern and timeless simplicity in mind.
TRENERY
Le Sleek Straight
TRENERY
Le Sleek Straight
TRENERY
Le Sleek Straight
TRENERY
Le Sleek Straight
Minima Essenciales
Striving to create “timeless and classic wardrobe essentials” the Australian label, which is stocked exclusively at THE ICONIC, has become known for expensive looking basics, particularly when it comes to knitwear.
MINIMA ESSENCIALS
Lorin Wool Cashmere V Neck
MINIMA ESSENCIALS
Emi Oversized Wool Cashmere Blend Knit
MINIMA ESSENCIALS
Joryn Alpaca Wool Zip Cardigan
MINIMA ESSENCIALS
Zoe Merino Wool Cashmere Blend Cardigan
COS
COS has established a reputation for its elevated and on-trend essentials. Offering affordable knits crafted only the best materials, from 100% cashmere to organic cotton, they’re pieces you know will last you many winters to come.
COS
Chunky Cashmere Crew-Neck
COS
Merino Wool High-Neck Top
COS
Belt-Detail Merino Wool Jumper
COS
Merino Wool-Yak Zip-Up Polo
Uniqlo
If you’re looking for quality knitwear—think cashmere, extra fine merino and souffle yarn—on a budget, you can’t surpass UNIQLO’s impressive selection of staples.
UNIQLO
100% Australian Merino V-Neck Sweater
UNIQLO
100% Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater
UNIQLO
100% Australian Merino Polo Sweater
UNIQLO
100% Cashmere Crew Neck Short Cardigan
Friends With Frank
Designed in Melbourne, Australia, Friends With Frank creates quality, timeless knitwear pieces season after season. Versatility and wearability is front of mind for the label, for knit staples you’ll never grow tired of. Here, you’ll find a curated collection of cute cardis and oversized crewnecks.
FRIENDS WITH FRANK
The Hazel Knit
FRIENDS WITH FRANK
The Imogen Knit
FRIENDS WITH FRANK
The Mara Knit
FRIENDS WITH FRANK
The Penn Knit
Assembly Label
For capsule wardrobe subscribers, Assembly Label is a heaven-send. Their knitwear selection features premium yarns, refined silhouettes and minimalist designs. Recently, the label launched their Colours of Cashmere collection with styles crafted from 100% cashmere.
ASSEMBLY LABEL
Nora Merino Wool Layered Turtleneck Top
ASSEMBLY LABEL
Benny Knit
ASSEMBLY LABEL
Laurie Cashmere Knit
ASSEMBLY LABEL
Benny Knit Cardigan
Henne
From their cult Selene cardigan seen on every Australian it-girl to this season’s new staples crafted from a blend of wool and cashmere, Henne has become one of the best brands to shop for knitwear that doesn’t compromise on quality but also won’t break the bank.
HENNE
Carr Top
HENNE
Callie Jumper
HENNE
Tori Scarf Knit
HENNE
Leni Knit Cardigan
Whether its pilling, shrinking, or just putting it through the wash, keeping your knitwear clean and soft is definitely more challenging that your average piece of clothing. The first step is to invest in good quality knitwear. “Pilling is an issue with all knitwear but some more than others,” Penny Ashby, a fourth generation wool grower and founder of Lady Kate knitwear, tells marie claire Australia. “Poor quality knits tend to pill more because manufacturers use short (i.e. cheaper) lengths of wool in their yarn. If you buy a good quality wool jumper, most of the loose fibres will break off in the wash before they turn into pills.” However, pilling happens with even the best quality knits, so when that happens, she recommends an electric lint shaver. As for keeping your cosy knit jumpers clean, always use a wool / gentle cycle on your machine (if the tag says its machine washable), and always cold water. Using warm or hot water and regular detergent is “the quickest way to turn a soft cosy knit into felt”, says Ashby. Instead, she recommends choosing a milder one like Ms Brown or Bondi Wash. Always dry your knits flat and out of direct sunlight, as hanging them will cause knits to stretch and direct sun will scorch wet wool. And when you’re not wearing them — especially in summer — store your knits folded in a cotton or calico bag, and use lavender scent to help protect them against moths. It might be more work to keep your knits soft and fresh, but looking after our clothes is the best way to curate a sustainable wardrobe.
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