Ochre Knitwear in Kathmandu
Natural knitwear, made with care in Nepal.
Ochre Knitwear is a family-run British brand with deep roots in Kathmandu. For more than two decades, our cashmere, lambswool, linen and organic cotton knitwear has been made by skilled makers in Nepal, where long-term employment, careful hand-finishing and community support sit at the heart of the business.
25+
Years of Ochre Knitwear’s story with Nepal and natural-fibre knitwear.
70+
People employed at the Kathmandu factory, many of whom have worked with the company for years.
2
Production sites using skilled hand-machine knitting, dyeing, assembly and finishing.
UK
Independent shops in Arundel, Lewes and Dartmouth, with online ordering across the UK.
The Beginning
A family story shaped by Kathmandu.
Ochre Knitwear began with founder Greg Lock’s long connection to Nepal. Greg first visited Kathmandu at 17 and was drawn back by its warmth, colour and people. His father was also stationed in Nepal for many years, making the country part of the family’s life long before Ochre became a knitwear brand.
That personal connection shaped the way Ochre works. Rather than treating production as something distant and anonymous, the brand built lasting relationships in Kathmandu and continues to make its knitwear through teams it knows and values.
Every Ochre piece carries more than a label. It carries the work of skilled makers, the character of natural fibres and a relationship with Nepal that has grown over many years.
How Our Knitwear Is Made
Slow production, skilled hands and careful finishing.
01
Natural fibres
Ochre works with fibres chosen for comfort, durability and feel, including cashmere blends, lambswool, linen and organic cotton.
02
Hand-machine knitting
Garments are knitted to the right shape, style and measurements using skilled hand-machine techniques.
03
Dyeing and assembly
Pieces are dyed, linked and assembled with attention to proportion, colour and fit.
04
Hand-finished detail
Each garment is checked and finished by hand before it reaches Ochre’s customers and shops.
We believe knitwear should feel good in every sense: soft to wear, made to last and created through relationships built on respect.
Our Workshop Values
Ethical knitwear made by people we know.
At Ochre’s Kathmandu factory, more than 70 people are employed, with many staff having been part of the company since its early years. The business is committed to fair pay, good working conditions and stable employment.
Many of the makers are Tibetan refugees, and the workshop has become a place where skill, dignity and long-term opportunity matter. This is one of the reasons Ochre chooses to keep its production close, personal and accountable.
Long-standing Kathmandu production relationships.
Skilled hand-machine knitting and hand finishing.
Focus on natural fibres and lasting quality.
Family-run British brand with real UK shop locations.
Community Support
Giving back to the communities around us.
Ochre’s connection with Nepal extends beyond the workshop. As the company has grown, it has continued to support local community projects, including education, healthcare, welfare and youth initiatives.
The business has helped with practical support such as school uniforms, local education projects, health initiatives and arrangements for students from Birkdale School in Leeds to work with and teach in Nepalese schools.
These projects reflect a simple belief: a business should leave something good behind in the places that help shape it.
Shop knitwear with a story you can trust.
Explore natural-fibre knitwear made with care in Kathmandu and available online or through our independent shops in Arundel, Lewes and Dartmouth.