Chunky knit, ethical brand cardie for 18yr old - any ideas???

[Dusktilldawn99]

I'd like to get my daughter a nice chunky knit cardie for her birthday. She'll be 18 and is not very interested in fashion. She likes quite plain and simple clothes, but I think she'll love something soft, cosy and probably white that she could keep for a good few years. Budget up to £100/£150.
Could anyone suggest a brand or two to look at? I was looking at Anthropologie, but not sure if that is middle aged! As I say, she's not that into fashion but I think would appreciate something her friends would approve of, if that makes sense!
We'll probably look together, but a steer would be good. I think she'd prefer an ethical brand.

Eribe is lovely
https://www.eribe.com/collections/alpine

If you want it to last to next year, I really wouldn’t get a white cardigan!

Me neither.
I don't like the Hope Macauley ones. They look like a child has made them.
This one's nice: Women's Wool Crew Neck Cardigan in Oatmeal - Mora | Finisterre

I would personally steer away from white or pastel colours because chunky knits from natural fibres should only be washed rarely and a pale knit is going to look dirty rather quickly.

I like that cardigan but it's funny the 3 models are all 5'7" and wearing size 8! Surely some variation of height/size would be more useful.

https://www.laurenastondesigns.com/product/commission-roll-up-knit-down-jumper/

There's a reason they're not modelled by someone like me.
Wendolene Ramsbottom | Wallace and Gromit Wiki | Fandom

@Dusktilldawn99
Cara and Sky are factory produced and it’s acrylic/polyester not wool, just if it’s wool you want.

If you plan to wear it for years I'd get a wool blend. Less irresistible to moths.

I’m a knitter, my recommendations would be:

Toast
Brora
L’Envers
Charl Knitwear

Don’t buy anything made of roving (that loosely spun super chunky yarn) as it’ll bobble and fall apart. Proper wool knitwear wears like iron, the above brands are all decent.

Brora has gone downhill.

Ladies Donegal Cardigan - Aran Islands Knitwear
British Wool Moss Stitch Cardigan
Ladies Donegal Cardigan Denim
Donegal Cashmere V Neck Cardigan | Made In Scotland – Johnstons of Elgin
No idea if they're 'ethical'.

oh that’s a shame, I have a beautiful fair isle cardigan from there but it’s about ten years old - sad to hear the quality has dropped!

A 2nd vote for Passenger - their cardigans are lovely...

I'm only going on one purchase but I think I've seen similar posts on here.

I like Palome. They do a nice cardigan.

And a third vote. I have the Snoozle Hooded Cardigan, and it’s hardly been off my back since I stopped wearing my heavy winter jacket this year. A good price, and quite a large % wool.
Tried to add a pic, but never done pics before, so not sure if it’s uploaded.

The Hope McCauley sweaters are made with roving, not spun wool yarn, and will not last. There's a thread about one person's experience in Style and Beauty here.

Plus they're out of OP's price range.

You're not likely to find a truly ethical hand knit at £100. The materials alone could be close to that if you source a good wool, and the hours put into knitting it unless it's super bulky would be below minimum wage.

Learn to knit yourself or get her a machine knit one from a store. My eldest loves a good hand knit sweater and socks.

Thanks everyone. This is exposing my lack of knowledge about wool knits and also that I'm stuck in the 90s with my idea of what things cost.
Really helpful though. Thank you.
I will steer away from white.

The Slow Love company ones are nice. I’ve had my eye on one for ages.

Lucy and Yak - or Toast
spring to mind x

Was just about to recommend Slow Love too. Lovely quality knits.
And also to warn against Hope McCauley, not lovely quality knits. Had to return one and after toing and froing was forced to quote the Consumer Rights Act to get the refund and not be out of pocket.

Would not recommend anthropologie (or Oliver bonas) for quality/price ratio. Mostly synthetic fibres and really poorly finished. You'll need to decide on which of the 3 main variables to prioritise: cost/fibre/ethics. You won't get all 3 for your budget but e.g. you might get a lovely wool mix. If you're willing to compromise on "new" I would recommend trying second hand. You could try searching for some of the classic Arran styles and I'm sure you could get 100% wool well within budget and most ethical of all!

Indeed … 😄

If your daughter aligns with her contemporaries in leaning towards pre-owned clothing, you might spend some time looking for something from:

https://www.lafetiche.com/shop/

Their knitwear would be well outside your budget new, even in the sales - but actually the nicest pieces improve with a bit of aging, so secondhand would be perfect.

Forgot to add this! (May prove persuasive.)

https://www.lafetiche.com/makers/