The Soar Sweater: Naturally Dyed Merino Wool, Knitted In-House in Brit – Genevieve Sweeney

A yarn like no other. This merino wool is becoming a defining part of my collection and there is a very good reason why.

The Soar sweater begins long before it reaches the knitting machine — shaped by raw materials, seasonal shifts and decades of refinement behind a naturally dyed merino wool yarn.

Knitted in-house at our GS studio in Hertfordshire, it reflects a considered approach to British knitwear — one that values provenance, process and longevity.

What Is Naturally Dyed Merino Wool?

The merino wool used for the Soar sweater is coloured entirely with plants - herbs, bark, roots. Only botanicals.

No synthetic dyes.
No chemicals

Instead, colour is developed gradually, through years of research and refinement.

Each tone is influenced by the natural world — variations in climate, harvest conditions and raw materials all play a role in shaping the final shade.

Spun and dyed in Italy. The mill took over 20 years to develop this yarn with such vibrant colour palettes. Plants are vertically farmed, locally foraged.
Through careful expertise, the mill balances these variables to achieve consistency while preserving the depth and individuality that natural dyeing brings.

The result is a palette with nuance — layered tones that feel rich, subtle and alive.

Designing the Soar Sweater

With a yarn of this character, I wanted a design that showed off its beauty.

The Soar sweater uses considered textural stitches... the light catches the moss stitch, and the dramatic shadow in the rib stitches. The surface reveals the depth and richness of the yarn. Merino Wool is a beautifully clean yarn, perfect for stitch structures, complex melanges hues create a balance of clarity and character.

A Lightweight Merino Knit for Seasonless Style

Crafted from fine merino wool, the Soar sweater is designed for ease across changing temperatures. I honestly can't wait to pair it with wide-leg linen trousers in the day, a tailored skirt and kitten heels in the evening. As well as my studio uniform - styled with cropped jeans and a triangle scarf.

Merino wool naturally regulates heat, offering warmth when needed while remaining breathable. The handle is soft and lightweight, allowing it to sit comfortably against the skin.

Knitted In-House in Hertfordshire

Each Soar sweater is produced within our GS studio in Hertfordshire, where it has been designed, developed, programmed and sampled in-house.

Producing within our own space allows us to oversee every stage of the process, ensuring consistency, quality and care.

It is an approach rooted in both heritage techniques and modern responsibility.

This collection also marks an important milestone.

It is the first production completed alongside our apprentice, following months of training. Each piece is hand-linked and finished by us, together — a process that ensures both quality and the continuation of traditional skills.

Why We Work on a Preorder Model

The Soar sweater is released on a preorder basis to support a slower, more responsible way of making.

The yarn is sourced from Italy and transported by truck to our studio for production.

From there, each garment is knitted in small batches and finished by hand.

This approach allows us to:

– produce only what is needed, reducing waste
– maintain a high level of craftsmanship
– support British manufacturing
– invest in the next generation of makers

Each piece is created with intention — not excess.