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The Navy Series
We always wanted to make our sweaters as compact as possible for maximum durability. After we’d designed the Sailor Turtleneck, we had long discussions with our knitters in Italy who suggested adding more wool to the machine. That led to the Navy Turtleneck, inspired by military clothing from the 30s and 40s. The full cardigan knit with gauge 5 makes it more heavy duty than our Sailor styles but the other details – the symmetrical shape, our signature thumb-holes and the use of the triangle in the neckline to create a more fitted shape – remain the same. The ability of our Italian knitters to add the triangle at the neckline meant we could also produce a crewneck where the collar was knitted in place, rather than sewn on afterwards. That led to our third style – our iconic Navy Crewneck. The Half-zip and the Full-zip followed, both also inspired by maritime and military styles though we added a version of the Full-zip with pockets for practicality.Our Navy Vest completes the family.All Navy styles use the full cardigan knit with gauge 5 and are made from our 100% pure new wool from Patagonia and Uruguay.
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The Sailor Series
Our first style from 2010, the Sailor Turtleneck, was inspired by a vintage Danish sailor sweater. It is, however, distinguished by several essential details, including a tuck stitch on the rib that reinforces the half-cardigan knit and thumb holes for warmth. We improved the traditional symmetrical shape by embedding a knitted triangle at the neckline. This is a crucial design element because the sweater is precisely the same, both front and back and requires this extra piece to fit the body well. The Sailor Crewneck followed and was later joined by our Skipper Jacket and Skipper Vest. The Skipper Jacket is our take on the bomber jacket – a more relaxed style than our Work Jacket with a roomier shape. The pockets are sewn in, and the buttons are made of buffalo horn. All Sailor styles use the half-cardigan knit in gauge 7 and are made from our signature 100% pure new wool from Patagonia and Uruguay.
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The Seaman Series
We wanted to make a lighter sailor sweater that referenced the classic Guernsey style. The goal was to keep the same compactness as our Navy and Sailor series but with a less heavy-duty feel. That led to our Seaman Crewneck, Turtleneck and Half-zip. Each one features a T-sleeve, our signature thumb-holes, no pattern, and a rib on the bottom hem. The shoulder has a deliberately visible seam.All Seaman styles use the plain single knit with a gauge 7 and are made with our 100% pure new wool from Patagonia and Uruguay.
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The Marine Series
The Marine series is our most recent addition and the lightest collection of wool sweaters we offer. They’ve been created as functional mid-layer garments, perfect under a heavy knit or on their own. Our Marine styles have quickly become a wardrobe staple because they are so easy to wear. Available in our classic Turtleneck, Crewneck, and Polo styles. All three Marine pieces are knitted in gauge 12 using our signature extra-spun yarn in plain single stitch. Made fully fashioned and linked together just like our other styles.
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The Boatsman
When we opened our flagship, we wanted to offer our customers something for every season, which lead to our first cotton piece the Boatsman. It’s symmetrical in shape, just like our core wool styles but other details set it apart. It has a slightly cropped sleeve length and straight armholes that give it its characteristic T-shape. Like all of our styles, our cotton pieces are knitted fully fashioned so there are no raw edges. The stripes start parallel on the shoulder and continue all the way down, inspired by the classic Breton shirt. We offer the Boatsman in two styles - short sleeve and long sleeve. Both the Boatsman Short and Long are made from extra-long fibres of 100% organic cotton that’s extra spun to give a crisp, cool feeling for the summer.
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Our Signature Yarn
Our signature yarn is made exclusively for us at an Italian spinning mill using mulesing-free, 100% pure new wool sourced from Corriedale sheep in Patagonia and Uruguay. Corriedales were first bred in New Zealand 150 years ago when Scottish sheep farmer James Little deliberately bred Merino and Lincoln sheep to create a more robust and all-purpose animal that produces high quality long-fibred wool. The wool is carefully cleansed and worsted to remove broken and short fibres. We then give it an extra spin to create a denser, more durable yarn that is far less likely to pill. Finally, the yarn is dyed at our spinning mill in northern Italy using a reactive dye that meets the highest European environmental standards.
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Natural, Undyed Wool
This natural-coloured, 100% pure new wool from brown sheep has been carefully selected to achieve a rich colour with beautifully subtle variations from garment to garment. The sheep are sheared and the wool is cleansed and worsted to remove broken and short fibres. Finally, it’s spun using the same specifications as both of our signature yarns.
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Natural Indigo Dye
Our indigo yarn is fibre-dyed using natural indigo leaves harvested in France and India that are then combined with selected herbs. After dyeing, the fibres are worsted to remove broken and short fibres. The yarn is then spun onto cones, ready for knitting. We’ve partnered with the only dye house in the world that has a Woolmark certificate for their herb-dyeing process.
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Organic Cotton
We use organic cotton sourced and spun in Turkey, then twist it into our signature yarn in Northern Italy. This specific organic cotton has longer fibres and is hard spun, which makes our finished garments extra durable and adds a unique, dry hand feel.Our yarn is dyed using a reactive dyeing process, which also takes place in Northern Italy. This process uses less water and allows the colour to bond better to the cotton fibres, ensuring a high colour fastness.Our cotton garments are knitted into shape, then linked together just as we do with our wool pieces. No cutting or sewing is required. Finally, we add bar tacks for extra reinforcement.
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The Peacoat
Our Peacoat was inspired by the classic U.S. Navy jacket. Traditionally, peacoats are woven and felted but since we specialise in knitwear, we've developed a unique knitted version. We wanted to avoid the need for a lining so we used the same stitch front and back. The double-breasted closure offers extra protection from the elements. We decided on buffalo horn buttons for durability, they are made in Italy and essentially crack resistant. The result is a sturdy, knitted jacket perfect for the cool weather of Autumn and Spring.
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The Work Jacket
Initially, we wanted to make a summer version of the Peacoat, but after several years of development everything fell into place, and we created a single-breasted Work Jacket. This is a multipurpose jacket for both the outdoors and indoors. The Work Jacket is made using the same stitch as the Peacoat but with a different gauge, so it’s lighter in weight but just as compact.
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The Polo
After mastering the sailor sweater, we asked ourselves ‘what does the sailor wear under their sweater?’ We decided it had to be the Polo! It has a distinguished, yet relaxed feeling that can be worn with anything. In fact, the students and staff of the Training Ship Danmark use the Polo Short as part of their summer uniform. Our Polos are made to last, fully fashioned, which means each part is knitted in one piece instead of conventionally cut from a piece of fabric. The buttons are made of corozo, which comes from the seed of a palm tree and is 100% natural and fully biodegradable. We offer two styles versions, the long-sleeved Polo Long and the short-sleeved Polo Short.
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The Neckwarmer
We have a great relationship with the Danish Training Ship, proudly supplying the students and crew with part of their uniform, including Sailor sweaters and Polos. When they requested a Neckwarmer as an addition to their uniform, we jumped at the opportunity. The Neckwarmer design is based on the ‘top’ of the Sailor Turtleneck and includes a segment of the body as a bib to cover part of the chest and back. It works as a layering piece for biking and being active or as a supplement to a crewneck for additional warmth.
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Our Knitting Mill
We produce our garments at a mill in the Veneto region of northern Italy that employs only the most highly skilled knitters. Everything is knitted on flat knitting machines in gauges 5, 7, or 12 depending on the style. We knit as compactly as possible to ensure maximum durability. Every part of every garment is fully fashioned, which means they are knitted in shape. This keeps waste to a minimum and increases the garments’ longevity as there are no raw edges to unravel. Production at the mill is powered almost entirely by solar energy.
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Linking Our Garments
Linking is a process in which each garment is knitted together on specialised linking machines. To ensure the perfect match, the linker creates each layer loop by loop on the machine. It’s a painstaking, highly skilled process but it ensures the seams of every garment are both more flexible and durable. And it’s why the seams of every Andersen-Andersen garment are guaranteed to last a lifetime. After linking, bar-tack stitches are attached to further strengthen and reinforce.
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Uncompromising Quality Control
While we have quality control measures throughout production, the final stage is a close inspection of the garment over a purpose-built lamp. This helps reveal any inconsistencies and ensures that every piece that reaches the market is perfect. The inner labels are then attached and the garment is steamed and inspected one last time. Finally, the hang-tags are attached, and the garment is packed ahead of its onward journey out into the world.
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Production Videos
Have you ever wondered what it takes to make an Andersen-Andersen sweater? Producing quality garments is a tremendous task requiring highly skilled craftspeople. This is why we produce at a family-run mill in Northern Italy. First, our specialized signature yarn is threaded onto industrial flatbed knitting machines, the knitting style is selected, and the process begins. Every part of every garment is fully fashioned, which means they are knitted in shape. This keeps waste to a minimum and increases the garments’ longevity, as there are no raw edges to unravel. Linking is a process in which each garment is knitted together on specially engineered linking machines. To ensure the perfect match, the linker attaches each layer loop by loop on the machine. It’s a painstaking, highly skilled process but it ensures the seams of every garment are both more flexible and durable. After linking, bar-tack stitches are added to further strengthen the garment. These are reinforcing stitches on joints where there tends to be more wear. We typically use bar tacks on thumbholes and shoulder seams. The inner labels are then attached, and the garment is steamed and inspected. While we have quality control measures throughout production, the final stage involves a close inspection of the garment over a fitted detection lamp. This helps reveal any inconsistencies and ensures that every piece that reaches the market is perfect. Finally, the hang-tags are added, and the garment is packed ahead of its journey out into the world.
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