The Dutch woolen blanket has been a symbol of warmth and reliability since 1929. In collaboration with Landschapsbeheer De Wassum and Aabe Textiles Trading, The Knitwit Stable Foundation is breathing new life into this iconic vintage blanket, with respect for nature, craftsmanship and tradition.
Wool as a catalyst for change
The Dutch production of the AaBe woolen blanket, which has symbolized resilience, warmth and timeless design since 1929, was lost with the bankruptcy of the last blanket production factory in the Netherlands, located in Tilburg.
The Knitwit Stable, driven by the desire to connect traditional crafts with sustainable innovations, decided to revive the iconic blanket in collaboration with De Wassum in Roermond and AaBe Textiles Trading. We found the Dinamo Fund willing to finance the start-up costs
The Knitwit Stable is a hub of expertise dedicated to the value of Dutch wool as a sustainable raw material. In the small-scale production factory on their farm in Baambrugge, The Knitwit Stable supports a bio-circular production chain with which they make valuable products based on traditional and animal-friendly livestock farming methods. They are inspired by the principles of regenerative leadership, with wool as the catalyst for change.
Made transparent
The Aabe x Knitwit blanket is spun with wool from Kempische Heideschaap. Kempen Heath, a native heath breed, is known for grazing on fields of heather as silent protectors of the natural landscape. Sheep grazing ensures that the heath remains rich in herbs and healthy and that young trees remain short. In their coats, the sheep spread seeds of dead herbs to new growing areas, and their manure stimulates soil life. Kempen Heath sheep play a crucial role in maintaining the natural balance in valuable nature reserves.
To finally make the blanket, The Knitwit Stable traveled to Italy. The blanket is made with careful craftsmanship in an authentic family blanket factory in Northern Italy. The wool from the heath sheep is spun in its undyed natural color. At the end of its long life, the woolen blanket can continue its natural cycle as it returns to the soil from which it came.
A message for change
The AaBe x Knitwit blanket is more than a wool blanket. It is an heirloom that is passed on from generation to generation. By continuing the tradition, The Knitwit Stable wants to show that high quality and sustainability are not mutually exclusive, but rather reinforce each other. Every aspect of the AaBe x Knitwit blanket tells a story in which every fiber counts – from the grazing sheep in the field to the warm blanket on your couch. From the sheep who gave us the wool, from the hands that made it, to the people who used it and the values it represents. It is a story of balance between tradition and innovation, with an emphasis on sustainability and ecological responsibility. The Knitwit Stable thus shares an important message: by becoming aware of every step in the value chain of a biodegradable product, we can not only cherish it correctly, but also return it to the earth with respect.
