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Production
Casa de Stella x April Knit Studio:
A Journey into Sustainable Knitwear
2025
Casa de Stella
Client
Casa de Stella
Location
Bend, Oregon &
Antigua, Guatemala
Studio Services
Knitwear DesignYarn SourcingManufacturer PartnershipConcept Development
Deliverables
Four-piece knitwear collection and accessory extension
WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED
When Jess, founder of Casa de Stela, first reached out to me, I knew this would be special. We met serendipitously during a trip to Guatemala, where I was immediately drawn to the warmth, integrity, and creativity she poured into her work with artisans in Antigua. Casa de Stella was already known for its beautifully woven pieces and deep respect for handmade traditions. But Jess had a vision to expand—this time into fully fashioned knitwear—and that’s where I came in.
4 weeks
Design & Concept
3 months
Development
Signature Item
How it fits
$350/per unit
Price Point
Artisans in Peru, spinning Alpaca
Guatemala is known for its weaving, but knitwear isn’t part of the country’s textile heritage. After conversations about what she wanted to create, we decided to source and produce in Peru, home of the world’s most exquisite alpaca yarns and a strong network of artisan cooperatives. Together, we partnered with a woman-led coop in Puno, a high-altitude region where alpacas roam freely and fiber traditions run deep.
“Working alongside Mari to design our first knitwear collection was such a joy. She thoughtfully connected us with female producers in Peru to align with our brand values. Not only did she immediately understand the direction we wanted to go in with these pieces, but she also designed timeless, heirloom pieces that will last for generations and exceeded our expectations. Her expertise and connections were essential to bringing this collection to life.”
Jess
Founder, Casa de Stella
With the help of my sourcing team in Lima, I selected a mix of baby alpaca and superfine alpaca yarns, choosing weights and textures that would support the silhouettes and stitch techniques we envisioned. We began with a small capsule of four pieces—a mix of hand-knitted and hand-machine knitted styles—allowing for varied textures, drape, and pricing. Accessories came next: a matching beanie, scarf, and gloves that offered cozy, lower-priced entry points into the collection.
CONCEPT & DESIGN
* In my Concept and design process, I offer 3-5 options per idea. This is a page from our first draft of sketches. Jess went with option E.
What’s so important to note here is that this wasn’t just a design exercise—it was a relationship-first approach. Each step was guided by Casa de Stela’s brand values: community, transparency, and sustainability. That’s why working with local Peruvian artisans felt so natural, and the partnership was such a beautiful fit.
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WHY PERU: YARN QUALITY MEETS TRADE ADVANTAGE
Peru’s rich alpaca heritage gave us access to some of the most sustainable and luxurious yarns in the world. Alpaca is naturally hypoallergenic, incredibly soft, and water-efficient to process. Plus, it comes in over 20 natural colors—many of which we were able to use undyed, reducing environmental impact even further.
Our collaboration with the coop in Puno allowed us to work directly with artisans who are paid fairly for their craftsmanship. And thanks to the Peru-U.S. Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA), Jess’s U.S.-based business could import these finished goods with no tariffs, making the entire process more accessible and scalable for a small brand. *****
At April Knit Studio, we specialize in tailored, on-demand product development. Whether we sourced yarns, aligned with ethical production partners, or designed pieces that balanced cost and craftsmanship, every decision we made supported Jess’s vision.
This is a page from our first draft of sketches.
Jess went with option C for the V-neck cardigan design.
Jess went with option C for the V-neck cardigan design.
This hand knitted sample was our first proto—received was about 6 weeks after we submitted the tech packs.
THE RESULTS: A BESTSELLER IS BORN
What neither of us could have predicted at the time was just how beloved one of the designs would become. The basketweave cardigan, a richly textured piece made in 100% baby alpaca, quickly became a customer favorite. Jess has reordered it for multiple seasons—it’s now a signature piece in her line.
Having a community on social is key to create buildup around a new product launch
After the pandemic, Jess relocated to Bend, Oregon, where she opened a stunning brick-and-mortar space that brings her brand’s global ethos to a local community. Her knitwear now sits alongside handwoven pieces from Guatemala, creating a seamless extension of her story—deeply rooted in artisan connection and intentional production.
The Casa de Stela store in Bend, Oregon, features the best-selling cardigan in 100% alpaca
MY PROCESS: WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK WITH ME
This project followed a typical (but highly collaborative) process that I guide all my clients through:
- Discovery & Brand Alignment – Understanding Casa de Stella’s ethos, aesthetic, and values.
- Concept Development – Creating mood boards, sketching ideas, and developing a design strategy.
- Sourcing & Feasibility – Selecting yarns, sampling from Peruvian partners, and costing out hand vs. machine production.
- Technical Design – Crafting tech packs with fit notes, specs, and custom stitch patterns.
- Production Coordination – Managing artisan communications, timelines, and quality assurance.
Because of the mixed production methods—hand knit vs. hand machine knit—we had to be smart about pricing and product positioning. Hand-knitted pieces were naturally more expensive due to labor time, while machine-assisted styles gave us more flexibility in cost and scalability. This blend allowed Casa de Stella to tell a story of craft and accessibility, offering something for every customer.
Sandra Ney
Founder + Creative Director
Will & Ivey
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