Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) this week unveiled its new Out of Bangladesh program, a guide to sourcing Woolmark-quality Merino wool garments knitted in Bangladesh from commercially available Merino wool yarns.

Out of Bangladesh is a partnership with a group of Woolmark-licensed Bangladeshi knitters who have proven performance in creating fine-gauge Merino wool knitwear, in a variety of garment types, according to Woolmark standards.

The Out of Bangladesh program uses yarns ranging from 2/30Nm to 2/48Nm worsted spun plus a 2/28Nm semi-worsted spun yarn, which yields a woollen-spun look in a finer gauge than previously available from Bangladeshi knitters. Some of the garments have been made from total easy care (TEC) yarns and meet the Woolmark standard for a machine washable and tumble dry care claim. The garments represent basic knit styles which could make up the core of any Merino knitwear retail collection.

The five knitters who have helped create the Out of Bangladesh collection are:

Designtex Sweaters Limited

Meditex Industry Limited

Moni Fashion Limited

Pandora Sweaters Limited

SQ Group

AWI’s global product development manager knitwear Roy Kettlewell says Bangladeshi knitters, traditionally known as a source of basic medium-gauge woollen-spun knitwear, have developed their capacity to create finer-gauge knitwear from worsted-spun Merino yarns.

‘The knitters in AWI’s Out of Bangladesh program, in particular, have a wealth of Merino wool know-how and technical experience, with the added assurance of Woolmark-certification.’

‘I’d like to acknowledge their contribution to the successful launch of the Out of Bangladesh program and thank Damodar Menon International and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exports Association for their support.’