About Howlin'
Founded in 1981, we are an Antwerp based knitwear brand with a longstanding tradition of quality craftsmanship. Our journey began with producing quality knitwear in Scotland and in 2009 we introduced our new label Howlin’, a name inspired by Scottish slang for "smelly." Our mission is to create timeless, well crafted products, utilising the finest natural and local yarns available, blending classic elegance with a touch of playfulness. Every piece, whether a scarf or a shaggy brushed waistcoat, is carefully crafted and hand-finished by skilled artisans in Scotland, Ireland or Belgium. By focusing on small scale production, we ensure that every item we create embodies our dedication to excellence and the timeless appeal of thoughtful design. Small is beautiful.
HAT - King Jammy Hat - Mint Love (Made in Scotland) CARDIGAN - Mothership Connection - Purple Haze (Made in Ireland) SHIRT - Afterthoughts Shirt - Brushed Oxford (Made in Belgium) PANTS - Cosmic Pants - Corduroy - Ecru (Made in Belgium) KNIT - Acid Deer With Flowers - Grey (Made in Ireland)
HAT - King Jammy Hat - Honey (Made in Scotland) JACKET - Boxy Swing Jacket - Howlin' Duck - Green (Made in Belgium) VEE NECK - Future Memories - Magma (Made in Scotland) PANTS - Cosmic Pants - Corduroy - Cognac (Made in Belgium)
Made in Scotland
Scotland has a long history of producing the best knitwear in the world and we are happy to be involved in it for over 40 years.
Made in Scotland
Scotland has a long history of producing the best knitwear in the world and we are happy to be involved in it for over 40 years.
Since the start of Howlin’ our goal was to bring a fresh somewhat twisted approach to Scottish knitwear while respecting its rich heritage. Keeping the best of the old techniques and mix it with new technology, patterns, colors and ideas. In an ever faster and more automated economy we are happy to slow things down and have our focus on well made products. It’s a niche, we know, but we like niche products, a lot. Just like a small record label doing hand stamped 7 inches with personal liner notes. It’s the beauty in the details. Each Howlin’ garment is handled individually and tenderly, throughout its entire production, from the first precise stitch to the delicate pressing and folding. All our yarns are carefully sourced according to their quality and sustainability standards. Our beloved planet earth has a special place in our heart and we think it’s the best planet out there (as far as we know) so we want to have the lowest impact on it as possible. Our natural yarns come from local mills, some even complete all the stages of yarn production under one roof. This includes grading, scouring and dyeing fleece before colour blending, carding, spinning, twisting and balling to produce this unique 100% pure Shetland yarn. A quality which is often imitated but never duplicated.
Many knitwear styles of Howlin’ have a “brushed finish”, achieved by artisanal technique with natural teasels. After knitting and washing each piece with local fresh water, they undergo an individualized process using a vintage brushing machine. This machine delicately lifts and pulls the fibers, creating a loose and relaxed shaggy brush effect. Our commitment to authenticity is reflected in the use of traditional teasels, a natural product, for this process. No man-made brush can replicate the unique brushing effects achieved with traditional teasels. It is the careful execution of each of these delicate stages that results in the softest natural Shetland feel we have ever experienced. The real thing, made by and for lovers.
HAT - King Jammy Hat - Red Fire (Made in Scotland) VEST - Cosmic Vest - Brushed Japanese Wool Check - Blue Mix (Made in Belgium) JACKET - Lost In Space Jacket - Water Repellent Nylon - Navy (Made in Belgium) KNIT - Forevernevermore - Magic Blue (Made in Scotland) BAG - Music Note Bag - Water Repellent Nylon - Purple (Made in Belgium)
HAT - King Jammy Hat - Red Fire (Made in Scotland) VEST - Cosmic Vest - Brushed Japanese Wool Check - Blue Mix (Made in Belgium) JACKET - Lost In Space Jacket - Water Repellent Nylon - Navy (Made in Belgium) KNIT - Forevernevermore - Magic Blue (Made in Scotland) BAG - Music Note Bag - Water Repellent Nylon - Purple (Made in Belgium)
BLAZER - Cosmic Blazer - Big Meal Lover - Blue (Made in Belgium) VEE NECK - A Magic Eye - Nuts (Made in Scotland) PANTS - Free Your Pants - Corduroy - Blue (Made in Belgium)
Made in Ireland
Our Irish made knitwear showcases exceptional craftsmanship and rich heritage.
Over the years we have been working closely with a small Irish family run company established decades ago. Together with these master crafts people we produce the highest quality knitwear with local Irish yarns. We have to admit, at first we got strange looks when we came up with our ideas but that changed over the years, now it’s simply that classic smile when they see a new Howlin’ design. We are very happy to contribute to this unique art and craft which is not only beautiful but also important culturally to remain alive. Producing in Ireland (and Scotland, and Belgium) not only means you have a truly unique product in your hand, it also means that the people making your goods are well paid and looked after.
Made in Ireland
Our Irish made knitwear showcases exceptional craftsmanship and rich heritage.
Over the years we have been working closely with a small Irish family run company established decades ago. Together with these master crafts people we produce the highest quality knitwear with local Irish yarns. We have to admit, at first we got strange looks when we came up with our ideas but that changed over the years, now it’s simply that classic smile when they see a new Howlin’ design. We are very happy to contribute to this unique art and craft which is not only beautiful but also important culturally to remain alive. Producing in Ireland (and Scotland, and Belgium) not only means you have a truly unique product in your hand, it also means that the people making your goods are well paid and looked after.
VEST - Cosmic Vest - Brushed Japanese Cotton Check - Camel (Made in Belgium) JACKET - Boxy Swing Jacket - Howlin' Flower - Purple (Made in Belgium) VEE NECK - Queen Of The Night - Flaming Red (Made in Scotland)
Accessories
Next to our knitwear, Howlin' is known best for their accessories. Scarves, hats, and gloves, all made in Scotland with premium pure lambswool yarn. All unisex and one size fits all. A standout is our classic King Jammy hat which is available in over 25 colors.
Accessories
Next to our knitwear, Howlin' is known best for their accessories. Scarves, hats, and gloves, all made in Scotland with premium pure lambswool yarn. All unisex and one size fits all. A standout is our classic King Jammy hat which is available in over 25 colors.
Made in Scotland
For over 15 years we have been using the same super fine lambswool quality yarn. Our lambswool comes from the first shearing of Merino breed of sheep which is known to produce the softest and finest wool. This natural wool is considered the most reusable & recyclable apparel fibre on the planet. Above all, it can breathe, is elastic, gives natural odor control, warms us when we are cold, and cools us when we overheat. Because of our special washing, it has the softest touch ever; often, people mistake it for cashmere as it’s softer than soft. In our Scottish assortement we have a wide range of: • Hats• Gloves• Scarves
Made in Belgium
This season, our small pouch bags, handmade in a specialized Belgian atelier, have been a hit. Additionally, we also specialize in socks. Years ago, we partnered up with one of Belgium's last sock manufacturing companies to create the beloved Cosmonaut Socks.Knitted on the oldest vintage machines in the factory and using an ultra soft bulky yarn, these are not your average socks but possibly your two new best friends during the colder seasons.Made in Belgium, with a smile.
VEST - Marled Fantasies Hat - Forest (Made in Scotland) CARDIGAN - Sense Of Wakefulness - Ecstasy (Made in Scotland) KNIT - Fund-A-Mental Mystery - Palm (Made in Scotland)
VEST - Marled Fantasies Hat - Forest (Made in Scotland) CARDIGAN - Sense Of Wakefulness - Ecstasy (Made in Scotland) KNIT - Fund-A-Mental Mystery - Palm (Made in Scotland)
Made in Belgium
Next to our Scottish and Irish knitwear we are happy to create products in our home country Belgium.
Made in Belgium
Next to our Scottish and Irish knitwear we are happy to create products in our home country Belgium.
Together with several small factories in Belgium, each carefully chosen for their own specialty, we have managed to create a diverse range of products which includes lighter weight knitwear, jersey, shirts, jackets, pants and accessories. Our goal was to create durable, functional, and original products that far outlive seasonal trends. All pieces are produced in small batches and with close attention to detail. What makes our jersey extra special is the fact that we don’t import knitted fabrics; instead, we knit everything entirely in-house. Therefore, we can proudly say that all our Howlin' jersey is truly 100% produced in Belgium. This also means we oversee every step of the process, ensuring excellent quality from start to finish. We are very happy to contribute to this unique art and craft, which is not only beautiful but also culturally important to keep alive. AB SOUND AND NEW BEATFor all our made in Belgium pieces we were heavily inspired by new beat and in particular its predecessor: the AB Sound, hence the acid Belgian logo which is on all care labels. For those who are not familiar, new beat is an electronic music genre that flourished in Western Europe during the late eighties and got its origin in Belgium.
There are many different, ‘mythical’ stories on how this new beat got born, but we like the story of a talented dj called Fat Ronny who was simply too wasted and played 45 rpm records at 33 rpm and pitched them +8 on his turntable. The result was a new robotic sound which was very bass driven. While disco was the big thing he played a hypnotic mix of slowed down tracks by artists like Severed Heads, PiL, Carlos Peron, The Human Leaque and Boytronic. Together with a group of likeminded dj’s they soon created a real cult vibe with tracks like Max Berlin’s “Elle et Moi”. Soon after “New Beat” was born and due to the great succes there are tons of bad commercial tracks out there but nevertheless, if you dig a little bit deeper, there is some amazing music to be found from this lost era.
Together with several small factories in Belgium, each carefully chosen for their own specialty, we have managed to create a diverse range of products which includes lighter weight knitwear, jersey, shirts, jackets, pants and accessories. Our goal was to create durable, functional, and original products that far outlive seasonal trends. All pieces are produced in small batches and with close attention to detail. What makes our jersey extra special is the fact that we don’t import knitted fabrics; instead, we knit everything entirely in-house. Therefore, we can proudly say that all our Howlin' jersey is truly 100% produced in Belgium. This also means we oversee every step of the process, ensuring excellent quality from start to finish. We are very happy to contribute to this unique art and craft, which is not only beautiful but also culturally important to keep alive. AB SOUND AND NEW BEATFor all our made in Belgium pieces we were heavily inspired by new beat and in particular its predecessor: the AB Sound, hence the acid Belgian logo which is on all care labels. For those who are not familiar, new beat is an electronic music genre that flourished in Western Europe during the late eighties and got its origin in Belgium.
There are many different, ‘mythical’ stories on how this new beat got born, but we like the story of a talented dj called Fat Ronny who was simply too wasted and played 45 rpm records at 33 rpm and pitched them +8 on his turntable. The result was a new robotic sound which was very bass driven. While disco was the big thing he played a hypnotic mix of slowed down tracks by artists like Severed Heads, PiL, Carlos Peron, The Human Leaque and Boytronic. Together with a group of likeminded dj’s they soon created a real cult vibe with tracks like Max Berlin’s “Elle et Moi”. Soon after “New Beat” was born and due to the great succes there are tons of bad commercial tracks out there but nevertheless, if you dig a little bit deeper, there is some amazing music to be found from this lost era.
Howlin' campaign booklet
We are excited to share our latest Howlin’ campaign booklet: “Find Your Place In Space.” Inside, you'll find an exclusive editorial shoot showcasing the key pieces from this season. The booklet also offers insights into the production of our collections, taking you through our process, from carefully selecting materials to the detailed craftsmanship behind each item, reflecting the heart of our brand. Additionally, we’ve included the stories behind our Howlin’ accessories collection, delving into the ideas and techniques that make these pieces truly special. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! 68 pagesOffset printed in BelgiumLimited quantities @howlinknitwear
Thank you
A special thanks to everyone who has supported us over the last 15 years. It’s been an epic journey, and we’re truly grateful to all of you for being part of it, no matter when or where you joined in. Here we are now, still in our little Howlin’ universe, not too far from where we first started, continuing to create unique, high-quality niche products for all the lovers out there. We’re thankful to have you with us on this amazing journey. www.howlinknitwear.com@howlinknitwear