A proudly South African knitwear brand celebrating heritage, natural fibres and the skilled women behind every handmade piece.
Catharina is a proudly South African knitwear brand inspired by heritage, skilled craftsmanship, and the belief that handmade work deserves to be valued.
Every piece is thoughtfully created by talented women using beautiful natural fibres and time-honoured creative skills.
Every stitch carries a story.
Knit one, purl one.
A memory that inspired a legacyCatharina was inspired by my grandmother, Catharina du Plessis—a remarkable woman whose hands were always busy creating.
Some of my fondest childhood memories include sitting beside her, sorting beads by colour and shape, and listening as she quietly repeated, “knit one, purl one.” Creating was more than a hobby to her; it brought purpose, happiness, and meaning to her life.
Despite the time and skill involved, she often sold her work for little more than the cost of additional wool. Watching this made me realise how easily handmade craftsmanship can be undervalued.
Catharina was created to change that. The brand honours her legacy while creating fair and meaningful opportunities for South African women who work with their hands and hearts.
We believe in the beauty of slow, thoughtful production.
Our pieces are handmade by skilled South African women using high-quality natural fibres such as Mohair, Pure Cotton, and Merino Wool.
Every item reflects the time, care, and individual craftsmanship of the woman who created it.
Our vision is to build a respected South African handmade brand that celebrates traditional skills, empowers women, and shares locally created craftsmanship with customers around the world.
We want Catharina to become a name associated with quality, authenticity, fairness, and meaningful design.
Our mission is to create beautifully handmade knitwear while providing skilled women with fair compensation, recognition, and sustainable opportunities.
Through every Catharina piece, we aim to preserve valuable creative skills and encourage customers to appreciate the people and processes behind handmade products.
We want the artisans behind every handmade piece to be recognised, respected, and rewarded for their skill.
Provide fair and meaningful income opportunities for South African women.
Preserve the skills of knitting, weaving, spinning, and dyeing.
Produce high-quality items from carefully selected natural fibres.
Grow a strong and supportive community of skilled local artisans.
Promote proudly South African craftsmanship locally and internationally.
Encourage more thoughtful and responsible purchasing.
Ensure that every artisan is treated with dignity and respect.
Every Catharina creation brings together quality materials, traditional skill, and a meaningful human story.
Every piece is created by hand, giving it a character and story that cannot be replicated by machines.
Our artisans are fairly compensated for their time, expertise, and craftsmanship.
We use quality Mohair, Pure Cotton, and Merino Wool to create comfortable and enduring pieces.
Small variations in colour, texture, and finish make every handmade item genuinely unique.
Every purchase supports skilled South African women and helps preserve traditional handmade techniques.
The brand carries forward the creative spirit and legacy of Catharina du Plessis.
Handmade work takes time. Every stitch is carefully formed, every colour thoughtfully selected, and every item patiently completed.
Some of our designs feature bold and joyful colours, while others use fibres that have been spun or dyed by hand. These natural differences make each creation special.
We do not compete with mass production. We offer something different: genuine craftsmanship, human connection, and products made with care.
Explore our collection of beautifully handmade knitwear and support skilled South African women with every purchase.
