4 years is the number of years it took us to make a sweater. We explain why it is so hard to make a sweater within the aesthetic, ecological and social constraints of Patine.

Article written in October 2023, on the eve of the launch of our first sweaters. Reading time 5 minutes!

We knew it from the start: making a sweater is not an easy project because the environmental and human cost of global wool production is particularly high. This is why since day 1 we have been looking to make a 100% recycled sweater. It is this constraint that created the complexity of the project. Beyond this constraint, the styling work was long, because in 4 years we have evolved our approach to the good wardrobe. Our details are more sophisticated, we dare to take more risks and assert our identity.

Retrospective: 4 years on the edge

In four years we have:

- developed prototypes with 3 different knitting workshops in Italy, France and Portugal

- tested 2 different knitting techniques

- tested 3 yarn suppliers



… Before finding the level of quality, know-how and technicality that matches our requirements.



In 2019, we thought we could do it with a recycled cashmere that was sublime when first worn, but unfortunately it didn't pass our quality tests: the sweater would have aged too quickly, which is not ecological: really good clothes stay beautiful over time. So we had to start from scratch.



In 2022, we are back in force with 2 ultra-high-quality and innovative materials: a sublime recycled cashmere, and a fantastic innovation of "90/10" wool recycled in France: 10% recycled cashmere - 90% recycled wool, in both cases knitted in France.

In an email dated exactly a year ago, we told you: “if we continue to work hard, it will see the light of day in early 2023.” It is the end of 2023 but that's it, the Patine sweater is finally within your reach. Unfortunately, these projects will not see the light of day: the quality of the cashmere yarn is unstable, difficult to knit, too much risk of defects, too much time wasted on the machines... French recycled wool is nice but more rustic, and we don't know how to make it in several colors. In addition, it is necessary to launch huge production batches to make the operation profitable. Impossible for Patine, which limits the volumes of its production. Hop, we start the project a 3rd time.

Recycle me a sheep

So we ended up opting for a sweater made of 100% recycled merino wool. What does Patine mean? It means that the recycled wool comes from workshop scraps, and also very largely from the mechanical recycling of already existing wool sweaters. So we didn't create any new material. Let's be precise, here are the recycling techniques: the used wool is first sorted by color before being shredded. It is then re-mixed to form the desired colors, rather than using the dye again. Finally, it is spun again, then woven, to create a new fabric. And there you have it!

2511 girls and 1 sweater

You have followed us during these four years of development: more than two thousand of you have answered our questionnaires (yes, it is plural). You have helped us in decisive phases, moments of doubt and sometimes confirmed our vision. Would it be too much to say that we made this sweater together? No.



Unsurprisingly, you were as demanding as we were: we designed this sweater to meet your expectations as much as possible. Not because we are people pleasers, but so that you can wear it often and for a long time without ever getting tired of your sublime look.



73% of you dreamed of a round neck, 35% navy blue or and 30% a beautiful gray. But above all, 85% of you said you love wearing sweaters all the time and all year round, which reassures us about its usefulness in your wardrobe.

Let's redesign fashion together: we hope you like Wooly as much as we do!



Some of our favorite quotes, reading you is always a great pleasure:



“A loose fit to feel beautiful even on the more difficult days..” Marie L.

“Big sweater style but that doesn’t make you look like a potato” Alix M.

“a soft and warm vest like a sweater but beautiful like a jacket.” Delphine F.

“Chunky knit, very thick, warm, soft (so it doesn’t itch but it’s not fucking acrylic) with a round neck, rather loose and covering the lower back.” P M.

“A simple and effective sweater that you know how to make with real warm wool. Not too long. Which goes with both jeans and a little evening skirt” Elodie D.

"Soft as a blanket, warm as by the fire, light as a cloud. A real cocoon all by itself and pastel to boot" Marie G."

Not a sweater, the sweater

On the volume and the build, there was never any doubt. But rather many back and forths to arrive at the perfect proportions. A little boxy, the shoulder slightly drooping, the arm a little long, the right gauge… And imperatively a thick lined collar that does not strangle and highlights the neck. Objective achieved.



The idea of ​​the double cuff came to us when we were layering sweaters: we were too hot, but it was so sophisticated that we built a system to keep the effect!



The slits at the bottom were placed for days when you would like to slightly tuck the front panel into the high waisted Brenda jeans or the Taffy skirt.



Kiss kiss,

Xx the Patine team.