In 2014, Maria Kjaer Jensen launched the 'slow design' brand Mini Fabrik in Fribourg, Switzerland with the help of the attendees at her knit-cafés. An ad in a local newspaper launched the concept, and they soon had 30 female members interested in meeting fellow knit enthusiasts to socialize and share tips and discuss topics related to their craft. The ladies duly knitted the extra-soft merino and alpaca collections during their spare-time. Soon after, Danish ladies joined the movement and started knitting as well.

In keeping with its far-reaching aspirations to adhere to its principles of Fair Trade, Mini Fabrik added the Transylvanian Alps to the Alps. It enlisted the help of women based in Brasov (Romania) to hand-knit the extra-soft wool collection, thus benefiting from knowledge passed down generation by generation.

Maria is confident there is an interest for natural, hand-made garments produced at a slower pace, which consumers can cherish like a newborn baby. Mini Fabrik is not aiming to be an exclusive brand; if anything, it is inclusive, a mutually respectful union between knitter and wearer that delivers a personal and human experience … which feels right.

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A big thank you to Claudine, Marie-Hélène, Marie-Therese, Monika, Heidi G., Iris, Rebecca, Ruth, Gerda, Elsa, Heidi L., Vreni, Marianne, Tanja, Maria, Kirsten, Mary, Ana-Maria, Michaela, Valeria, Mariana and Lili.