The AW26 Knitwear Guide
Understanding the fibres, weights, and making of our AW26 Knits
JOURNAL / JUN 13, 2026
At Sills + Co, we believe exceptional knitwear begins with exceptional fibres. Designed to transcend seasons and trends, these are pieces created not simply to be worn, but to be lived in and loved for years to come.
Each yarn within our Autumn Winter 2026 collections has been carefully selected for their unique qualities – read on to learn what makes each one so special.
For more than forty years, Sills + Co has been designing luxurious knitwear for New Zealand women, creating pieces that balance craftsmanship, comfort, and enduring style.
Caroline Sills
Pure Cashmere
For decades, Caroline Sills has been synonymous with pure cashmere.
Renowned for its extraordinary softness and warmth, cashmere is one of the world's most treasured fibres. Sourced from the ultra-fine undercoat of cashmere goats that roam the high plains of Inner Mongolia.
The cashmere used throughout our collections is certified by independent responsible cashmere standards that support animal welfare, protect the environment and improve the livelihoods of herding communities.
For AW26, our pure cashmere is knitted in a versatile 14-gauge yarn which has been carefully balanced to provide warmth without weight and equally suited to wearing alone or layering beneath outerwear.
Caroline Sills
Brushed Cashmere
This season's brushed cashmere represents a luxurious evolution of a fibre we know and love.
Only the longest cashmere fibres are selected, creating exceptional loft and allowing the yarn to develop its signature soft halo. Spun with a gentler twist and refined through an intricate Japanese washing process, the fibres are prepared to achieve their distinctive brushed finish while maintaining their natural resilience. The cashmere then undergoes a specialised brushing techniques to achieve its tactile dimension.
The result is a refined, velvety bloom textured cashmere. A finish that feels both luxurious and lasting. Crafted not simply for the season, but for years to come.
Caroline Sills
Fine Cashmere
Lightweight and beautifully soft, the Fine Cashmere collection by Caroline Sills has been designed for effortless everyday wear.
Knitted in a delicate 16-gauge construction, each piece provides gentle warmth without bulk, making it ideal for layering or trans-seasonal wear.
For more than fifteen years, we have partnered with the same family-run business in Nepal, whose expertise and dedication are integral to bringing these garments to life. Every piece is entirely handmade using traditional flat hand-knitting machines, preserving the artistry and craftsmanship behind true luxury.
Sills
Pure Merino
A signature natural fibre that appears throughout our collections season after season, merino wool is celebrated for its remarkable versatility.
Exceptionally soft and lightweight, merino wool possesses an almost intuitive ability to regulate temperature, warming the body when needed while remaining breathable and comfortable throughout the day.
Our merino wool is fully traceable and sourced from growers who share our values of respect for land, people, and animals. Through regenerative farming practices and thoughtful craftsmanship, every piece is created in harmony with nature.
For AW26, our pure merino knitwear is offered in both fine 14-gauge, better for layering or trans-seasonal dressing, and a more substantial 7-gauge dubbed Kento Merino, designed for those days where you want to be as cozy as possible.
Sills
Mecco
Blending 55% merino wool with 45% cotton, our Mecco knitwear brings together the best qualities of two natural fibres.
Soft and lightweight with a beautifully smooth finish, this versatile blend offers year-round wearability. Both Merino and Cotton provide breathability and softness, but combined together they create the ultimate all-rounder.
Our Mecco knitwear also comes in two gauges – choose from tees or a funnel necks in a finer 12-gauge knit, or a cardigan and sweater in a thick 3-gauge knit.
Sills
Lofty
Our Lofty yarn combines wool and alpaca with polyester and nylon - the result is a knit with a beautiful lofty texture (as the name suggests) and exceptional softness.
Alpaca offers softness to rival cashmere, offering a new standard of cloud-like comfort. Each individual alpaca fibre is semi-hollow, creating tiny air pockets that act as a brilliant natural insulator. Wool has been used for millennia for good reason. It is renewable, natural, durable, and incredibly warm. The intentional addition of synthetics gives the fibre better resilience and shape-retention, which lend to extending the life of the garment.
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