Knitwear & Distinctive Fabrics
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25 September 2026

The Complete Guide to Knitwear: From Merino to Shetland & Everything In Between

At Country Collection, we offer knitwear for both men and women, combining timeless wardrobe staples with new seasonal colours and limited-edition styles.

The Complete Guide to Knitwear: From Merino to Shetland & Everything In Between

The Complete Guide to Knitwear

From fine merino to traditional Shetland, cosy lambswool and lightweight knitted cotton, there are many different types of knitwear to choose from. Then there are the styles themselves – from classic cardigans and cable knit jumpers to versatile slipovers and waistcoats.

Whether you're looking for an everyday layer, something warm for colder days or a new colour to refresh your wardrobe, our guide will help you find your perfect knit.

Men's & Ladies' Knitwear

Our knitwear collection is designed for both men and women, with classic styles that are made to be worn season after season.

From everyday merino cardigans and jumpers to traditional Shetland and lambswool styles, our collections are built around versatile pieces that are easy to wear and layer.

You'll find dependable core styles in a range of classic colours, alongside new seasonal shades and limited-edition pieces – making it easy to find a familiar favourite or try something new.

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Choose your fibre

The yarn you choose can make a big difference to the look, feel and warmth of your knitwear. We offer four key fibres, each with its own characteristics.

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Find your style

From the traditional cardigan to the versatile slipover, different knitwear styles offer different ways to dress and layer.

Cardigans

A cardigan is one of the most versatile pieces of knitwear you can own. With an open front, it can be easily added or removed as the temperature changes, making it ideal for layering.

Our collection includes several different cardigan styles.

Edge-to-Edge Cardigans

With a clean, open front and no fastening, an edge-to-edge cardigan is an effortless layer. Wear one over a blouse, shirt or dress for an easy finishing touch.

Button-Front Cardigans

The classic button-front cardigan is a wardrobe staple. Wear it buttoned as a lightweight top or leave it open for easy layering.

Our men's cardigans feature traditional leather buttons, while our ladies' styles use colour-matched buttons for a subtle, coordinated finish.

Long & Short Cardigans

Length can change the look and versatility of a cardigan.

Shorter styles work particularly well with dresses, skirts and trousers, while longer cardigans provide a little more coverage and make an easy layer over longer tops.

Our core merino cardigan is available in both long and short lengths, giving you the choice of silhouette to suit your wardrobe.

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Merino Cardigans

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Lambswool Cardigans

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Shetland Cardigans

Jumpers

The classic jumper remains one of the most versatile pieces in a wardrobe.

From lightweight merino to warmer lambswool and traditional Shetland, our jumpers come in different fibres, weights, necklines and textures.

Crew Neck Jumpers

A timeless neckline that's easy to wear on its own or layered over a shirt or blouse.

V-Neck Jumpers

The open neckline of a V-neck makes it particularly suited to layering over shirts and blouses, while also providing a classic, smart appearance.

Cable Knit Jumpers

Cable knitting creates a raised, textured pattern within the fabric, giving the jumper a distinctive traditional appearance.

Perfect when you want your knitwear to provide both warmth and texture, cable knits are a timeless choice for autumn and winter.

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Merino Jumpers

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Lambswool Jumpers

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Shetland Jumpers

Slipovers

A slipover is a sleeveless knitted layer, usually worn over a shirt, blouse or fine jumper.

Because there are no sleeves, slipovers provide an extra layer of warmth without adding bulk around the arms – making them particularly useful when layering.

Try a slipover over a crisp shirt for a classic look, or layer one over a fine knit when the weather gets colder.

Knitted Waistcoats

A knitted waistcoat offers another versatile way to layer knitwear.

With a more structured appearance than a traditional jumper but without sleeves, it can be worn over a shirt or blouse to add warmth and texture while keeping the overall look smart.

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Merino Waistcoats & Slipovers

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Lambswool Waistcoats & Slipovers

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Shetland Waistcoats & Slipovers

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Made for layering

One of the best things about knitwear is its versatility.

Fine-gauge styles such as merino are particularly useful for layering because they provide warmth without adding unnecessary bulk.

The beauty of layering is that you can adapt your outfit throughout the day, adding or removing pieces as the temperature changes.

Try:

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For a smart everyday look.

Cardigan, blouse, trousers

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For a classic layered outfit.

Slipover, shirt, trousers

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For lightweight warmth outdoors.

Fine merio jumper, jacket

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For an easy spring or summer layer.

Knitted slipover, shirt, skirt

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Core colours & new season shades

A great knitwear collection needs dependable favourites as well as something new.

Our core knitwear collection is built around versatile colours that can be worn year after year. These are the pieces you can return to season after season, whether you're looking for a classic navy cardigan, a neutral jumper or an everyday layer.

Alongside our core range, we introduce new seasonal colours and limited-edition styles throughout the year.

These pieces offer an easy way to update your wardrobe without moving away from the classic styles you already love.

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Good knitwear deserves good care.

Different fibres and constructions can have different care requirements, so always follow the care instructions on your individual garment.

With the right care, quality knitwear can remain a much-loved part of your wardrobe for years to come.

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Not sure where to start? Think about what you want your knitwear to do.

For lightweight layering

Choose merino or knitted cotton.

Fine merino is ideal when you want lightweight warmth, while knitted cotton makes an excellent choice for milder weather.

For cosy winter warmth

Choose lambswool or Shetland.

Both offer a warmer, more substantial feel that's particularly suited to colder days.

For an easy everyday layer

Choose a cardigan.

Easy to put on and take off, a cardigan is one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe.

For traditional style

Choose a cable knit or Shetland jumper.

Textured knitting and traditional wool give these styles a timeless character.

For effortless layering

Choose a slipover.

Wear over a shirt or blouse to add warmth without adding another pair of sleeves.

For a wardrobe update

Look to our new seasonal colours.

A new shade can give a familiar knitwear style a completely different look.

Discover your perfect knit

From fine merino and lightweight cotton to traditional Shetland and soft lambswool, there's a knitwear style for every wardrobe and every season.

Explore classic cardigans, timeless jumpers, textured cable knits, versatile slipovers and more, with dependable core colours alongside new seasonal shades.

Whether you're looking for a lightweight layer or something cosy for colder days, discover knitwear designed to be worn, layered and enjoyed season after season.