Merz b. Schwanen
Vintage circular knitting, knitwear on historic German loopwheelers
Philosophy
Knitwear on century-old circular machines in Albstadt. Germany's last machines (1889-1960). 100% cotton, no stretch, no compromise. Industrial preservation made into clothing.
History
Albstadt, Baden-Wurttemberg. 1911: Merz b. Schwanen, underwear and knitwear manufacturer. Disappears during the 20th century. 2011: Gitta and Peter Plotnicki resurrect it. Their obsession: circular knitting machines from 1889-1960, Germany's last. Slow, seamless tubes of knit.
100% cotton, no stretch, dense and heavy. enthusiasts: 'The quality is great.' Caveats: traditional undergarment fit ('made me look like a factory laborer'), no modern stretch comfort. Deliberate choice: industrial preservation, not contemporary comfort. The machines are the product.
Iconic Products
Henley (1920s)
Buttoned henley knitted on century-old circular machines. 100% cotton, tubular seamless knit. 'Can see why it is $100+.' The ultimate heritage garment: grandfather's undergarment turned wardrobe piece. No stretch, no modern comfort.
T-shirt (1950s)
Circular-knit t-shirt. Heavy, dense, organic cotton. Quality you feel on first touch. Traditional fit: not the Instagram fitted tee. For those who know what a loopwheeler is and prefer the German version.
Boxer (sous-vetement)
Circular-knit boxer. The original product, underwear in the truest sense. Thick cotton, century-old construction. On 애호가들: yes it's expensive for a boxer, but it's the boxer your great-grandparents would have worn. And it'll last as long.