Fine Scottish knitwear from Scott & Charters

Shirt and bowtie by Brooks Brothers. Bespoke cotton trousers by Fred Nieddu. Spex by Ray-Ban.

A very welcome addition to my wardrobe this year is this fabulous pure cashmere cardigan from Scott & Charters.

Cashmere scarf by Begg & Co. Bespoke spex by Cubitts.

Unless you really know your knitters based in Hawick, Scotland’s “cashmere capital”, you probably will not have heard of the firm, but it has been based in the Borders town since 1955. Although it has had its own brand for most of its history, it’s mainly been a manufacturer for other brands and retailers worldwide.

Happily, the name itself is to be promoted again. In 2020 the business was acquired by Ayr-based scarf specialist Alex Begg whose products are among my favourite Made-in-Scotland pieces. Great potential is seen for Scott & Charters and its team of skilled people as an authentic top-end specialist Scottish knitter. I agree with that assessment.

I received my super cardigan for helping out Scott & Charters with some editorial work for its website and press information. Sometimes it’s called the Yacht Cardigan, but officially it’s Style No CH03212, described as a “men’s 5N (five needle) cashmere full cardigan stitch shawl collar cardigan”.

For the technically-minded reader, it’s made on a 5 Needle Shima Seiki knitting machine using 4 ends of 2/28 Nm 100% Cashmere from Scottish spinner Todd & Duncan

Polo shirt by Brooks Brothers. Bespoke tartan trews by Grant Mitchell of Dundee. Bespoke spex by Cubitts.

Knitted seamless on the Shima Seiki machine, the cardigan is made on a saddle shoulder shape, which fits really well. It closes with 32 & 24L horn buttons. Containing about 2lbs (1kg) of pure cashmere yarn in the College Red shade, it is a truly luxurious garment. Fine Scottish Knitwear indeed.

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