William Lockie
William Lockie: Scottish knitwear with character and substance
There are places where craftsmanship exists not as nostalgia, but as a lived presence. Hawick, in the Scottish Borders, is one such place: river, brick, spinning mills – and a tradition that has warmed the winters for generations. Here, in a town synonymous with knitwear since the 19th century, a house was founded in 1874 that speaks the language of stitches as clearly as a sonnet: William Lockie. Family-run, deeply rooted, yet with an outward look – to where the finest natural fibers are transformed into sweaters, cardigans, and classic scarves that last longer than any season. According to its own company biography, Lockie is one of the oldest family-run luxury knitting mills in the country – founded in 1874 and still based in Hawick today.
The appeal of this brand lies in the tension between purism and precision: straightforward cuts, a disciplined use of color, and an uncompromising material ethic. The workshop in Drumlanrig Square—the address is documented on the official website—produces with a naturalness that explains nothing and shows everything. They work with cashmere, camelhair, merino, Geelong, and lambswool; not as a list, but as a vocabulary from which Lockie builds that calm, confident elegance that has always characterized British knitting tradition.
Facts aren't an accessory here, but a foundation: Cashmere comes from China and Mongolia—regions where goats experience winters of minus 40 degrees Celsius; Lockie sources lambswool from South Australia, where the climate produces particularly fine qualities; Merino is an active, temperature-regulating fiber standard and—according to the brand description—is worsted-spun by leading Italian spinning mills such as Loro Piana. That sounds dry, but it's the technical-poetic truth behind the feeling when a good knitwear piece almost disappears against your skin.
The brand doesn't tell its story out loud—rather, it does so through hand gestures, through the tangible weight of a two-ply lambswool sweater, the fine-grained uniformity of a Geelong crew neck, the richly rolled edge of a cashmere turtleneck. "Stock Service" means that classic styles and colors are kept in stock and delivered promptly—a sober logistical formula that, in practice, is as poetic as reliability can be: You get what you need, when you need it.
The charm lies somewhere between legend and verifiable reality. The brand presents itself, with the best of understatement, as the guardian of Hawick's pride – not wrong, but above all apt: Lockie is the kind of manufacturer that doesn't declare quality, but delivers it. In times when logos scream, the fabric remains the star here. And that is precisely the quiet luxury that connoisseurs fell in love with – long before "Quiet Luxury" became a hashtag.
William Lockie Sweater
There are sweaters – and then there are William Lockie sweaters . The difference is no coincidence, but the result of a culture that has been cultivated for generations in Hawick, in the heart of the Scottish Borders. There, on the banks of the River Teviot, stands a family business that has stood for uncompromising knitwear since 1874. "Lockies," as the brand is affectionately called, combines in every piece the tranquility of the countryside, the precision of craftsmanship, and the seriousness of a promise of quality that is unconcerned with fashion. This provenance is not a marketing detail; it shapes the feel of the material: the balance of density and air, warmth and breathability, clean silhouette and organic drape.
A William Lockie sweater isn't an effect, but a foundation. This is ensured by the select natural fibers – cashmere, lambswool, Merino, Geelong, and camelhair – which the manufacturer sees not as interchangeable raw materials, but as characters. Cashmere, the famous "fiber of kings," is obtained from the fine undercoat of Asian mountain goats; lambswool comes from specially bred sheep from South Australia; Merino is worsted-spun, among others by top Italian spinners like Loro Piana; Geelong comes from the very first shearing of particularly fine lambs; camelhair remains natural and undyed. These facts aren't just decorative details, but explain the feel: Cashmere wears like a quiet heater, lambswool has a more robust, "honest" dryness, Merino regulates temperature measurably, Geelong is the light-footed in-betweener – and camelhair envelops you in a dry, almost sandy softness.
The production process isn't just a romantic myth, but a tangible reality: In Hawick, fully fashioned knitted pieces are created – each section is knitted to shape and then neatly linked to ensure the sweater retains its elasticity and shape. The combination of traditional skills and modern technology is part of the DNA: frame knitting, Shima Seiki fine knitting, meticulous body and collar linking , and wet finishing – the processes read like a textbook of precise knitwear. The results are evident in edges that don't add bulk, shoulders that hug the body, and cuffs that don't appear "tired."
Another, often overlooked, reason for the special feel: soft Scottish water . What sounds poetic in product descriptions is craftsmanship in Hawick: Washing and finishing in soft water makes the yarns supple without "felting" them. This creates that typical Lockie surface – never slippery, never dull, but vibrant, with a fine grain. You notice it when a sweater doesn't fall flat even after years, but has a body that you don't have to pull on.
Lockie's style is recognizable by its quiet sovereignty: clean round-neck and V-neck sweaters, turtlenecks with attitude, colors that don't scream but orchestrate the wardrobe – from muted navy to shades that seem to blend together from daylight. Wear a William Lockie sweater solo over a T-shirt and it appears effortless; over an Oxford shirt, it has that natural shape that connects business and leisure; under a jacket, it replaces the waistcoat without restricting freedom of movement. And as for care? Take a breather. Natural knitwear loves breaks, airing, and the occasional hand wash – then it thanks you with a patina that doesn't age, but rather matures.
William Lockie Sweater Men
There's a simple truth in men's wardrobe construction: the better the basics, the more freedom you can choose. A William Lockie men's sweater is one such "better basic." It's the anchor that allows everything else to look relaxed—jacket, jeans, coat, Chelsea boots. The cuts are designed in a classic European style: enough substance for solo looks, slim enough for layering under flannel jackets or raglan coats. The key is how you combine the material and the use.
Lambswool is recommended for everyday work: two-ply knit, with a crisp surface, robust enough for long days, yet with the sophisticated warmth that makes offices, trains, and conference rooms manageable. The Leven Vee with saddle shoulders emphasizes upper body mobility—a detail that's noticeable under jackets. Those who frequently switch between indoor and outdoor temperatures can combine lambswool with a light shirt or a fine turtleneck underneath; this keeps the thermal properties flexible.
Geelong is recommended for days when you want to feel the softness without wearing cashmere. A Gordon Crew neck treads the fine line between understatement and indulgence. It's sportier than cashmere, more sophisticated than coarse Shetland looks—and therefore goes just as well with city twill as with dark denim. Cashmere itself—for example, as an Oxton roll-neck sweater—is the men's version of elegant silence: Under an unlined coat, it fully demonstrates its strengths in winter, replaces a blanket on an airplane, and keeps you warm in a restaurant.
Choosing a size? Stick close to the size you usually wear for shirts and jackets. If you plan on layering under jackets regularly, choose "true to size." Those who prefer a more voluminous solo look—for example, with a crew neck over a T-shirt—can go half to a full size larger. The shoulder is crucial, not the length: A neatly fitting shoulder ensures the sweater stays in place. (Note: Model lines like Oxton, Leven, and Gordon differ in material and feel; consult the respective retailer's size charts and fit information.)
Material selection based on scenario: Meetings and travel – lambswool or cashmere turtleneck; Creative Fridays – Geelong crew with chinos; Weekend in the Highlands – lambswool over a flannel shirt; Dinner – cashmere V-neck under a dark blazer. The common denominator: natural fibers regulate temperature, absorb moisture, and thus remain comfortable longer. This is the performance aspect that synthetic blends often only simulate – Merino and the like are physical realists in their breathability and odor resistance.
A three-sentence purchase decision: Choose the line (lambswool, Geelong, cashmere) based on your daily wear and the climate. Decide on the neckline based on your wardrobe (crew neck under a jacket, V-neck over a shirt, turtleneck on its own). And trust in the availability of classics: Lockie's Stock Service keeps key styles in stock—a reassuring rarity in a world that too often relies on artificial scarcity. If you want to get specific: Oxton turtleneck for winter days, Leven Vee as an everyday hero, Gordon Crew for that sophisticated between-season moment.
Choose that one great piece you'll still want to wear in five years. A William Lockie men's sweater is perfect for that.
William Lockie Cashmere
Cashmere is a fiber – and a philosophy. At William Lockie Cashmere, it doesn't begin in the atelier, but where temperatures of minus forty degrees Celsius force nature to develop perfection: in the undercoat of the Asian mountain goat. From this fine, short hair, the fiber is extracted, which for centuries has been considered particularly soft, warm, and durable. Lockie doesn't flaunt this knowledge; it's translated into processes. The brand puts it soberly: The miracle happens in Scotland – in Hawick – where soft water and over a hundred years of experience transform a raw material into a garment that is more than a luxury: a companion.
What makes William Lockie Cashmere different when worn? Firstly, the density : Lockie doesn't knit "fluffy and empty", but with substance. This keeps the surface calm, the silhouette grounded; the sweater is not bulky, but rather hugs you. Secondly, the elasticity that comes from the combination of fibre quality and finish: cuffs that spring back; a collar that catches itself after a day under a coat. Thirdly, the colour culture : cashmere absorbs colour differently - deeper, but never garish - and Lockie uses this for tones that appear as if mixed with smoke and air: navy, which doesn't turn black; camel, which absorbs sunlight; grey, which has depth without being too harsh.
The supply chain is transparently outlined: cashmere from China and Mongolia; transformation in Scotland; and – for the remaining qualities – carefully curated sources: lambswool from South Australia; worsted-spun Merino by top spinning mills like Loro Piana; Geelong from the first shearing of fine lambs; and natural camelhair. This clarity is important: it anchors quality not in promises, but in origin and process.
There are two ways to wear William Lockie cashmere . The first: as a moment of pure luxury – a turtleneck under a coat when the air is biting; a crewneck next to the skin when all you want is silence. The second: as a layering element – over flawless poplin, under a wool jacket, and with a rough cloth. Cashmere isn't for show here, but rather the tone of the wardrobe. Care? Gently hand wash in lukewarm water, use a wool detergent without enzymes, do not wring, dry flat, and allow it to rest. Pilling is a question of fiber length and use: high-quality fabric pills less and, above all, in a controlled manner – a natural brush removes the first fuzz, after which the surface stabilizes. Over the years, this creates a patina that can't be bought, only worn.
Anyone who wants to understand why Hawick is considered the capital of knitting has to experience it in a cashmere sweater: the serene surface, the consistency of the workmanship, the physical feeling that clothing is a tool—and a promise. Lockie has kept this promise since 1874. This isn't a nostalgic look, but a sober observation.
William Lockie Cardigan
The William Lockie cardigan is the quiet authority in knitwear. While sweaters have a "flat" effect, a cardigan modulates the look – it opens up, frames, structures. With Lockie, this becomes a garment with substance, not an accessory. The difference is evident in the details: neatly interlocked edges that don't roll; button plackets that provide stability without appearing rigid; collar solutions ranging from simple V-necks to raised stand-up collars that flank a shirt as naturally as a T-shirt. This is made possible by the aforementioned processes – from frame knitting to precise body/collar linking to wet finishing – which give the cardigan the shape needed for both professional and private wear.
Stylistically, the Lockie cardigan is a translator between worlds. In dark blue over a simple round-neck shirt, it's urban and clean; in mélange gray over Oxford and flannel trousers, it becomes a semi-formal statement, less strict than a jacket—but just as presentable. In camel over denim, it bridges the gap to heritage—without the folklore. A William Lockie cardigan never seems "too much" because the brand understands the language of proportion: hems that capture the line; sleeves that can be pushed up without compromising the shape; shoulders that follow the body rather than dominating it.
The cardigan offers the same curated variety of materials: chunky lambswool for structure, merino for a sleek, blazer-friendly look, geelong as a soft, lightweight everyday piece—and cashmere when your wardrobe calls for warm, elegant layering. Camelhair also demonstrates its strengths in the cardigan: a dry, natural elegance with astonishing warmth and moderate volume. The fact that Lockie offers these qualities consistently, rather than intermittently, is part of the brand's ethos—underpinned by the blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern machinery cultivated in Hawick.
The practical experience speaks for itself: A neatly crafted William Lockie cardigan replaces a blazer in the home office and makes meetings more presentable without "revving up." When traveling, it becomes a portable air conditioner—open at the gate, closed on the train, rolled up in a weekend bag. And when things get serious, it fits under a coat without crumpling the lapel. This creates the kind of garment that isn't thought of seasonally, but biographically : It accompanies you, rather than trying to accompany you.
FAQ about William Lockie
Where does William Lockie produce?
Located in Hawick, Scottish Borders, Scotland – the historic center of British knitting culture. The company's address is documented at Drumlanrig Square; the brand also operates a shop in Hawick (Teviotdale Mills/Commercial Road).
How long has the brand existed?
Since 1874, Lockie claims to be one of the oldest family-run luxury knitwear companies in the Scottish Borders.
What materials does the brand use?
Cashmere, camelhair, merino, geelong, and lambswool – a canon of natural fibers that ranges from robust to sophisticated.
Where does William Lockie's cashmere come from?
From China and Mongolia, regions with extreme winter temperatures, whose goats develop a particularly fine undercoat.
What is Geelong?
Geelong is 100% wool from the first shearing of specially bred Australian lambs – very fine microns, soft touch, light weight.
What does “stock service” mean?
Lockie keeps selected classics and colors in stock to ensure prompt availability—especially in cashmere, camelhair, Geelong, and lambswool.
How do lambswool, Geelong and cashmere differ in everyday life?
Lambswool (two-ply, tightly knitted) is robust and retains its shape; Geelong is softer and lighter; cashmere delivers the highest warmth-to-weight balance and the most luxurious feel. (Material origin and knitting tension are documented on the respective brand pages.)
How do I care for a William Lockie sweater?
General best practice: wash in cold water (or on a wool cycle), agitate as little as possible, never wring, pull into shape, and dry flat. Natural fibers reward you with longevity. For specific instructions, please consult the care labels and retailer's instructions.