Getting a little help from furry friends
A HOBART knitting mill has turned to Tasmanian native animals to inspire a new range of products, and the choice is paying off.
Tastex, a northern suburbs social enterprise that has been making school and corporate knitwear since 1970, this week launched a new label, Devil Knits, to attract new customers.
Tastex chief executive Vicki Hawker said the company was facing tough competition with cheap overseas imports flooding the market and some of Tastex’s long-term clients had switched to buying the cheaper, imported products.
“The launch of Devil Knits has provided us an opportunity to diversify and grow our business which in turn allows us to provide the ongoing training and engagement of our staff,” Ms Hawker said.
Tastex employs 26 people, including 17 with intellectual disabilities.
The Devil Knits range includes “Envirowoolly” soft toys, animal beanies, and a range of jumpers and accessories.
She said caring for the environment was another important consideration for Devil Knits. The Envirowoolly toys are stuffed using shredded wool from offcuts from the company’s woollen jumper production.
“We want our product to leave as little footprint behind,” Ms Hawker said.
Many of the products are aimed at the tourist market but Ms Hawker said “of course a lot of locals love it, too”.