An environmentally and socially responsible knitwear brand, deeply rooted in the Lithuanian heritage craft is a company called The Knotty Ones, writes Marek Grzegorczyk of Emerging Europe.
Based between New York and Lithuania, The Knotty Ones was founded by three best friends who set out to create the perfect knit while giving back to less privileged women in their community. They believe in “close-knit sisterhood”, supporting female artisans as well as female-founded factories in rural Lithuania to create knitwear, providing them with financial independence and a voice in their households and communities. Co-founded by Akvilė Meškauskaitė-Dobrajs, Sandra Pangonytė, and Danutė Rasimavičiūtė, the start-up provides job opportunities to talented, independently-employed female artisans in rural Lithuania. These artisans work at their convenience, have spare time for their hobbies, and can combine work with motherhood, while financially supporting their families in less privileged regions of the country.
The company also works with a few partner factories, run by women with a passion for all things yarn-based. Sustainability is a priority, they explain on their website TheKnottyOnes.com.
They use only natural and 100% biodegradable yarns. They work with ethical suppliers like local family-run wool farms from around the globe, sourcing natural and high-quality yarns, and all production is animal cruelty-free.
The Knotty Ones’ production is mostly carried out locally, based on Baltic knitting traditions, even though 90 per cent of the garments are sold to foreign markets, such as the US, UK, Australia, and Germany. The company has been successfully growing its international distribution with global partners such as US lifestyle retail giant Anthropologie and Gwyneth Paltrow’s goop. The Knotty Ones has also been selling with famous American retailers such as REVOLVE and Free People, and its products are worn by international celebrities and influencers like Hilary Duff and Margaret Qualley.
Since its first investment round in 2020, the knitwear brand has grown five-fold while remaining committed to its core values of sustainability, honouring Baltic knitwear traditions, and empowering women through job opportunities in rural areas of Lithuania. Now, The Knotty Ones plans to continue its expansion into international markets, particularly into the United States, via wholesale and e-commerce.
“We are happy to have attracted Lithuanian investors… and are planning an international fundraiser going forward,” says Sandra Pangonytė, one of co-founders of the business. “Financial and strategic support we received from the female investors we engaged with is a confirmation we’re growing in the right direction – expanding our impact beyond the business.”
“We are happy to have brought together a strong community of women — from knitters to opinion leaders, from the founders of the company to the ever-growing team and loyal customers. We now hope to drive all of us towards success.”
