Planet-friendly fashion wears its heart on its sleeve  – and no where more so than in this online knitwear studio with its HQ on the edge of the Cotswolds. Run by Lois Donohoe, the driving force behind the business, Without Borders Studio knits your merino wool warmers – hats, headbands, mitts and scarves – to order, ensuring there’s no waste and that you receive a beautiful bespoke accessory you love that will last for years.

Sustainability is everything. Lois and her team have taken care to source wool from the highest quality merino sheep in Beaufont, Tasmania which is then spun in Tollengo 1900, Italy. Both companies she uses are renowned for their highly ethical practises, encouraging biodiversity and promoting animal welfare – the wool is harvested in a stress-free environment and the animals are treated with the utmost respect for their welfare. So you can feel good when you look good. Naturally, any packaging is also eco-friendly too.

So far, so sustainable. But what about the actual quality and style of the knits? It’s no good having an ethical knitted beanie if a) it’s itchy b) you’d only wear it in the dark. Luckily, Without Borders Studio also prizes modern design in combo with tradition, craftsmanship and luxurious natural fibres. All the designs are made with merino wool, which has extremely fine fibres, giving it a similar soft feel to cashmere while also being hypoallergenic (no horrible scratchy wool here!).

Without Borders makes knitwear for women and men and although they’re are online-based, can also be found popping up in shops and at fairs around the country so you can get to try before you buy (order). Check their website for details and handy hints for looking after your merino too.