Knitwit Goes Green With ’Tofu Cashmere’

Newport Beach, Calif.–based contemporary brand Knitwit launched a new soy/cashmere group it’s dubbing “Tofu Cashmere.”

Made from a blend of 85 percent soybean fiber and 15 percent cashmere wool, the collection includes a zip-front hoodie, crew-neck and V-neck sweaters, and a reversible scarf. All are available in four prints: leopard, zebra, camouflage and geometric. Wholesale prices range from $45 to $85.

Soy fiber is made from the protein found in soybean oil, tofu and soymilk. The fiber has a silk-like luster and a higher breaking strength than wool, cotton and silk. Fabric made from soy drapes well and has a soft, smooth hand and moisture absorbency similar to cotton.

Founded in 2006 by designer Julie Willgeroth, Knitwit includes sweaters, pants, tops and other pieces in silk, silk/cashmere blends, 100 percent cashmere and the new soy/cashmere fabrication. Wholesale prices range from $45 to $160. The brand is sold in more than 500 stores, including Henri Bendel, Fred Segal, Ron Herman, Kitson, Planet Blue, Olive & Bettes and Nordstrom stores. Internationally, the line is sold at Barneys Japan, Holtrenfrew in Canada and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong.

For more information, visit www.shopknitwit.com.—Alison A. Nieder