Materials
We manufacture all KIVAT products using high-quality natural materials to make sure the products can withstand being used for hundreds of times. Responsibility is also prioritised when making our timeless designs. Our products are not inspired by momentary fashion trends. If they are correctly cared for, KIVAT products can last for years, to be passed on to siblings or neighbours' children. They also have a good resale value on second-hand sales channels. Natural materials form the basis of the entire KIVAT product family, and their properties are outstanding, especially with children in mind. See more details on materials below.
We produce the Merino wool knit for our products at our own knitting factory in Tampere, Finland. We always use mulesing-free, OEKO-TEX certified Merino wool. The Merino wool yarn used in our products is spun in Italy, and the raw material originates from New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina.
KIVAT wool products and KIVAT Merino wool products have similar thickness and heat insulation properties, but the softness of Merino wool enables the production of wool products for people with sensitive skin. Merino wool is also highly durable due to its long fibres, enabling the production of slightly thinner products than regular wool. This improves the comfort of the product – which is good, as children can be fussy about the feel of their clothing.
High-quality Merino wool has a distinct feel to it that is softer and smoother than regular wool. This makes it an ideal product for children who cannot tolerate regular wool. Merino wool is sheared from Merino sheep, which is its own breed of sheep from the southern hemisphere.
Merino wool fabric is particularly good for retaining warmth while damp. It can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture. Combined with its good heat insulation properties, this makes it an outstanding mid-layer material for children's outdoor clothing. Especially since children tend to alternate between sweating and feeling cold. Wool balances heat and moisture fluctuations inside the exterior layer of clothing.
As any other wool, Merino wool repels dirt and is easy to clean by airing outside. Avoid any unnecessary washing. KIVAT products do not need washing before use, either, as they contain no toxic finishing or anti-mould chemicals. Our Merino wool products are machine-washable at 30°C using a wool programme. Do not use the gentle or hand wash programmes; they may cause the product to shrink. See more details on product care here.
See all our Merino wool products by following this link.
Our wool knit developed for wool overalls and balaclavas is breathable and highly elastic, conforming well to children's movements in their outdoor activities. Wool is one of the oldest materials used by humans. It is a good heat insulator and has a capacity of binding large amounts of moisture without feeling wet. Due to these properties, layers of wool form the basis of dressing in layers during the damp, cold seasons – especially as children tend to first sweat and then feel cold as they play outdoors.
We produce the wool knits for our products at the knitting department of our own factory at Lahdesjärvi in Tampere, Finland. The wool yarn used in our knits is spun in Austria, and the raw material originates from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The wool yarn is OEKO-TEX and Bluesign certified.
All wool fabrics are self-cleaning. Wool products seldom need to be washed; preferably only before storing them away for the summer. Airing the products also helps to save household water and chemicals, and prolongs the lifetime of the product. So, take the wool outside when the child is not wearing it; for example, put it on the balcony or porch overnight.
Our wool products are machine-washable at 30°C using a wool programme. Do not use the gentle or hand wash programmes; they may cause the product to shrink. See more details on product care here.
See all our wool products by following this link.
Our Silkwool fabric is a combination of mulesing-free Merino wool (67%) and silk (30%). These natural fibres form a pleasant and warm material, with added elasticity from elastane (3%) for user comfort. Merino wool has an excellent ability to bind moisture, while silk makes the fabric soft and strong. We produce the knit for our Silkwool products at our own knitting factory here in Tampere, Finland. The spinning mill that produces the yarn is located in Germany. The raw material for the silk used in the yarn originates from China, and the mulesing-free Merino wool comes from New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa. The yarn is GOTS certified. The finished knit is dyed by our partner at Hämeenkyrö in Finland.
Silkwool products are among our most popular products, for children and adults alike – and for good reason! Silkwool feels soft and comfortable but also warms and removes moisture from the skin. It is an ideal material for outdoor activities, sports and hiking, especially due to its light weight and excellent heat insulation properties.
An under balaclava of Silkwool is well-suited for wearing under a cycling, skating or skiing helmet. Silk is a particularly strong fibre that, if well cared for, can withstand any sports, outdoors and hiking activity. Its softness is especially appreciated by people with sensitive skin. Silk affords products with a distinct shine and a hint of luxury – yet in a highly practical package.
Our Silkwool products are machine-washable at 30°C using a wool or silk programme. We recommend dark colours to be washed before use. This is because the colouring dye does not bond to the silk fibres as strongly as it does to wool. However, if any colour leakage occurs, it should cause no harm. The products are non-toxic. See more details on product care here.
See all our Silkwool products by following this link.
Cotwool is a warm and breathable material that is well suited for all seasons. Cotwool consists of organic wool (40%) and organic cotton (57%), combining the best properties of wool and cotton = warm, breathable and durable. A small amount of elastane (3%) improves the comfort of the product and further enhances its durability.
We produce the Cotwool knit for our products at our own knitting factory in Tampere, Finland. The yarn is spun in Italy. The raw materials for the organic wool used in the yarn originate from South America and the organic cotton comes from Turkey. The yarn is GOTS certified. The finished knit is dyed by our partner at Hämeenkyrö in Finland.
Our Cotwool products are a combination of comfort and beautiful melange colors. Machine-washable at 40 °C or 60°C. Do not use fabric softener. The product does not need washing before first use. See more details on product care here.
See all our Cotwool products by following this link.
Organic cotton is a natural material that is well suited for people with sensitive skin. We have carefully reviewed our entire production chain to minimise chemicals in the finished product. We only use organic cotton that has been cultivated without using any synthetic pesticides.
We started using organic cotton in 2011. Due to its breathability and ease of care, organic cotton is an outstanding material for balaclavas and beanies that are used during spring, summer and autumn. Unlike many other fibres, it does not gather static electricity (...however, we cannot guarantee the children's hair to remain fully frizz-free in our beanies).
The secret to the longevity of our organic cotton products is a hint of ultra-high-quality elastane that does not prevent washing at 60 degrees. Adding elastane fibre to the cotton knit makes it more flexible, enabling the product to retain its form upon repeated washing – in other words, the hats do not become droopy (yes, even as professionals, we do use this term).
We produce the cotton knit for our products at our own knitting factory in Tampere, Finland. The yarn is spun in Germany and Italy. The raw material for the yarn originates from Turkey. Our organic cotton yarn is GOTS, OEKO-TEX and IVN certified. For a cotton fabric production process to be awarded these certificates, the textile production process must be well monitored and heavily regulated. The finished knit is dyed and washed by our partner at Hämeenkyrö in Finland.
We repeatedly wash all KIVAT cotton knits during the manufacturing phase to remove any dying chemicals from the finished product. This means you do not need to wash KIVAT products before first use, and there are no unnecessary chemicals on the finished product. You can use the products fresh from the package – always ready to play!
Our organic cotton products are washable at 60°C. Lower temperatures may dilute the colors. We do not recommend using fabric softeners. See more details on product care here.
See all our organic cotton products by following this link.
Some of our products contain a small amount (3%) of ultra-high-quality elastane. A small amount of elastane in the knit increases the elasticity of the product, improving user comfort. We are aware that, for now, it is more difficult to recycle products containing synthetic fibres. Nevertheless, using small amounts of elastane in selected products is justified because it significantly prolongs the lifetime of the products. From an environmental perspective, products with the longest period of use are the most ecological ones. Products with flimsy design and short period of use bring the heaviest burden on dumping sites and the environment.
