Hand Knit Clothing(36 items)
Welcome to NOVICA's Hand Knit Clothing Collection designed and crafted for you by talented artisans worldwide.
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The Village Council
Your answers straight from the village experts


Traditional methods of hand crafting robes vary by region, culture, and historical context. Two common techniques that allow artisans to create luxurious, wearable, highly-detailed robes are hand-painting and hand-stitching. In Bali, where the practice of making robes by hand has been passed down for generations, the traditional method of batik is a signature style. The Batik Tulis, for example, is a technique that utilizes wax-resistant dye that is then applied directly to the cloth. It is an intricate, patient process that can produce extraordinarily detailed pieces. Batik Cap is another classic technique where a copper stamp is repeatedly pressed with the wax-resistant dye onto the cloth. This process creates patterns on the garment that are then dip-dyed to saturate color into the unwaxed parts of the robe. Both batik techniques produce unique pieces that represent the incredible talent of our artisans in Bali.


Each region puts its signature mark on its handmade robes. In Thailand, for example, designs featuring geometric patterns and labyrinth motifs are trending. These patterns are hand-woven to create a ruched texture that highlights the intricacy of each garment. From Bali to Java, our artisans have seen their batik motifs become customer favorites. These wearable canvases feature both hand-painted and hand-printed designs, making for vibrant, one-of-a-kind pieces that allow for artisans and customers to showcase their individuality.


The fit, feel, and fabric of a robe should transport you to a place of rest and relaxation. Novicas handmade robes exude comfort, because artisans attend to every detail with painstaking care. Robes made from silk, cotton, or rayon can provide high levels of comfort and versatility. One should look for breathability, absorbency, and versatility when purchasing a robe. Additionally, hypoallergenic fibers, like cotton, can provide comfort to those with sensitive skin. Whether one is looking for a lightweight fabric or a lavishly-woven robe, every handmade piece from Novica artisans brings an expressive twist to new styles and a fresh take on the classics.


Handmade robes are fine, delicate pieces. These garments require a bit more care when it comes to laundering. Hand-washing in cold water always produces the best results. For machine wash, one can use cold water and the delicate cycle. Avoid twisting or harshly handling the fabric, and never use intense heat settings while drying the robe. Air drying while the fibers are laid flat will help to prevent excessive wear on the fabric, as well as preserve the vibrancy of the robes colors. Always dry a batik or hand-painted robe in the shade.


The journey of the traditional robe throughout history is meandering and culturally specific. Here are just a few of the important stops along the way. In Japan, kimonos are an adaptable garment that have been a staple of cultural fashion since the Heian period. The robes from Bali are influenced by the classic Japanese kimono and yukata. The kimono is crafted with silk and worn over many layers in the winter while the yukata is a summer garment made with a single layer of cotton. Both of these styles reflect the artisans' take on a traditional style. In prehistoric Rome, robes were used to identify social status and to signify special ranks within communities. And by the 1700s, dressing gowns were a fashionable piece in the western wardrobe.


The most popular materials for crafting handmade robes are natural fibers such as silk and cotton. Because silk is a light-weight, water-resistant fiber, it provides the wearer a sense of luxury and comfort. Rayon is a natural-based material made up of an organic compound derived from cotton extract or wood pulp. This fiber is extremely durable, breathable, and cost effective. Cotton is celebrated for its comfortability and elasticity, and it provides excellent insulation. These fibers make for garments that exude luxury and relaxation.
Featured Reviews on Hand Knit Clothing
Art knit alpaca sweater, 'Playful Plum'





By Shannon
Beautiful and comfortable
Well made. Not a worry for easy pull or thread exposure. Colors are vibrant and have not leaked with delicate washing. Normally I?m sensitive to animal fibers, but this weave is fine enough to he non irritating but strong enough to be warm and study. Bought in another color! Highly recommend.
100% alpaca cardigan, 'Andean Horizon'





By Dorothy
Perfection!
Although I shopped for alpaca sweaters in Peru, I never saw anything as intricately designed and well-made as this cardigan at such a great price.
Wool sweater jacket, 'Highland Moors'





By Kristen
Heavy, warm sweater
Now this is a sweater you can call a jacket. It is very heavy and warm. Something to wear outside, a little heavy to just wear indoors with the heat on. It is also very pretty. It is made of wool, so it is not soft, and you definitely would want to wear long sleeves under it.
Featured Artist



Fernando Cano Alpaca apparel
"If you truly want something in life, you will do all that is within your means to get it."
I was born in 1973 in the district of Macate in Ancash. My parents were engaged in agriculture. I consider myself a very creative man, and very enterprising - I always want to be doing things, to go forward and never to stay behind. I am very active and sociable.... read more
Popular Hand Knit Clothing
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Peru Brown Jacquard Knit 100% Alpaca Cardigan Sweater, "Sepia Forest"
$114.99$97.74Ana Fernandez evokes a sepia forest in a beautiful jacquard knit. Knit of luxurious alpaca wool, this brown cardigan features a jacket-like shawl collar and floral buttons carved from coconut shell. Alpaca wool is renowned for its lightweight warmth.
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Women's Art Knit Alpaca Pullover Sweater from Peru, "Playful Plum"
$137.99Fernando Cano orchestrates a spectrum of rich and intense colors for the design of this fashionable sweater. Featuring a plum base, the neck and shoulders as well as the cuffs and waist feature a colorful glyph-like composition. Cano knits the long sleeve sweater with alpaca wool, once favored by the Inca for its incredibly light weight and warmth.
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100% Alpaca Wool Knit Cardigan Sweater, "Andean Poinsettia"
$149.99By Fernando Cano, this radiant sweater in shades of red evokes poinsettia flowers. He works in luxurious alpaca wool, long prized for its lightweight warmth. With its intricate geometric motifs and cardigan styling, it closes with cedar wood buttons.
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Handcrafted Floral Alpaca Wool Art Knit Cardigan, "Blue Andean Poinsettia"
$149.99By Fernando Cano, this radiant sweater in shades of blue evokes stylized poinsettia flowers. He works in luxurious alpaca wool, long prized for its lightweight warmth. With its intricate geometric motifs and cardigan styling, it closes with cedar wood buttons.