Kids knitwear at Firebird means knit-and-sewn pieces: crewneck sweaters, hoodie sweaters, a cardigan and a knit hat, made from GOTS-certified organic Italian cotton yarn or a cotton-cashmere blend. Designed in San Francisco, knit in small batches in New York City. No wool, which is the usual reason a sweater comes straight back off.
Sizes run 2T through 12-13. Sweaters are $75 to $118 and the knit hat is $45. Everything here washes cold with the rest of the load, so it stays in rotation instead of waiting for a hand wash.
What's In The Kids Knitwear Collection
Five kinds of knit, in organic cotton and cotton cashmere.
- Chunky knits. The Chunky Marled Cotton Sweater in marled blue, the same sweater in marled pink, and the Chunky Knit Cotton Sweater in blush.
- Striped and colorblock crewnecks. Striped Crewneck Sweater in navy and white, Yellow Striped Crewneck, Red Striped Crewneck, Colorblock Crewneck and Asymmetric Colorblock, $75 to $98.
- Cotton cashmere hoodie sweaters. The hooded knit in Dusty Rose, Fire Red, Soft Blue, Storm Blue, Ivory and Stone Gray, plus Sea Glass Blue, $118.
- Intarsia knits. Tree Intarsia Sweater and Bird Intarsia Sweater, both with the motif knit into the fabric.
- Cardigan and hat. Embroidered Ivory Cardigan, and the Pom Pom Hat in marled blush.
How Kids Knitwear Is Made Here
Knitwear is knit rather than woven or brushed into fleece, and the gauge decides what it does. A chunky gauge traps more air and works as an outer layer on its own. A finer crewneck lays flat under a coat.
The intarsia sweaters are worth understanding before you buy. The tree and bird motifs are knit into the fabric with separate colors of yarn, not printed or ironed on, so there is nothing to crack or peel in the wash. That is a construction difference you can see on the reverse side of the knit.
Fiber content is plain. The cotton knits are 100% organic Italian cotton yarn. The hooded knits are 85% Egyptian Giza cotton and 15% cashmere, which is what keeps them soft without the maintenance pure cashmere asks for. GOTS certification covers both the fiber and the processing it goes through. Nothing in this collection is wool.
Knitwear Or Fleece
Knit and fleece do different jobs. A knit breathes, layers flat under a jacket and looks finished enough for school photos, holidays and family events. Fleece and French terry are warmer, heavier and better suited to playgrounds and mud. Most families end up with both. Our hoodies and sweatshirts cover the fleece side, and there is more detail in our guide to hoodies versus sweatshirts.
Sizing, 2T Through 12-13
Toddler sizes run 2T, 3T, 4T and 5T, with some styles cut as 2-3T and 4-5T. Kids' sizes run 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13.
Between sizes, size up. The cut runs relaxed already, and a chunky knit carries the extra room more easily than a fitted crewneck does. The size guide lists height and weight ranges beside each size.
Caring For Kids' Knitwear
- Machine wash cold, inside out, on a gentle cycle with mild detergent.
- Skip the dryer. Lay flat to dry so the shoulders hold their shape.
- Fold to store. A hanger stretches a wet or heavy knit at the shoulder seam.
- Expect some pilling on any natural fiber. A sweater comb clears it in a few minutes, and our guide to keeping sweaters from pilling covers prevention.
When a piece is finally outgrown, Pass It On is our resale program, so it goes to a next owner rather than a bin.
Mix And Match Across The Wardrobe
Kids Knitwear FAQs
What Counts As Kids' Knitwear?
Knitwear is anything made from knitted fabric rather than woven cloth or fleece. Here that means crewneck sweaters, hoodie sweaters, a cardigan and a knit hat.
What Is Firebird's Kids Knitwear Made From?
GOTS-certified organic Italian cotton yarn, and a blend of 85% Egyptian Giza cotton with 15% cashmere on the hooded knits. These are cotton-based knits. There is no wool in the collection.
Is Kids' Knitwear Machine Washable?
Yes. Cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent, then lay flat to dry. No hand washing and no dry cleaner.
What Sizes Does Kids Knitwear Come In?
Sweaters run 2T through 12-13, with 2-3T and 4-5T on some styles. The hat is sized by age range. See the size guide for measurements.
Are These Sweaters For Boys Or Girls?
Both. We knit one sweater and merchandise it into both sections, which is what makes it straightforward to hand down between siblings.
Is Organic Cotton Warm Enough For Winter?
A chunky knit or a cotton cashmere hoodie sweater layers well under a coat for cold weather. A fine-gauge crewneck is closer to a three-season piece.
Why Does Kids' Knitwear Cost More Than A Fast-Fashion Sweater?
Construction and materials. Certified organic yarn, knitted-in patterns instead of printed ones, and small-batch knitting in New York City cost more to make and last through more wears, more washes and usually more than one child.
How Should Knitwear Be Stored Between Seasons?
Fold it clean and dry, somewhere that stays dry. Wash before storing, since stains that look invisible in April set over the summer.
