Gran Sasso was founded in 1952 in Sant'Egidio alla Vibrata, in the province of Teramo, by the Di Stefano brothers. The maglificio keeps every stage of production in Italy — spinning, dyeing, knitting, linking and finishing — and is best known for extra-fine merino crewnecks, polos and cardigans at around $160–240, with cashmere reaching $600–780.
Key facts
- Founded 1952 in Sant'Egidio alla Vibrata (Teramo, Abruzzo) by the Di Stefano brothers
- Controls spinning, dyeing, linking and finishing in-house, all in Italy
- Independent family manufacturer supplying its own label and other houses
- Core extra-fine merino knitwear retails around $160–240
Fibres and construction
Gran Sasso works principally in Cashmere, Merino wool, Sea Island & long-staple cotton, Silk & silk blends. Construction and techniques associated with the house include fully-fashioned. It is based in Italy, a country that is the largest and most influential luxury knitwear producer.
How to judge Gran Sasso quality
- For cashmere pieces, look for a stated micron count or grade, 2-ply yarn for sweaters, and a dense knit with no daylight through plain areas. See the cashmere grading guide.
- Merino quality depends on micron (extra-fine is under 18.5 µm) and on worsted spinning; fine-gauge pieces (21–30 gg) are a technical speciality worth paying for.
- This house knits fully-fashioned: check for fashioning marks along the armhole and flat, linked seams inside — the signatures of shaped, stitch-by-stitch construction.
Similar houses
Gran Sasso: frequently asked questions
Where is Gran Sasso knitwear made?
Gran Sasso is based in Sant'Egidio alla Vibrata, Abruzzo, Italy. Founded 1952 in Sant'Egidio alla Vibrata (Teramo, Abruzzo) by the Di Stefano brothers.
What is Gran Sasso known for?
Gran Sasso is known for vertically integrated Abruzzese mill, the value benchmark for extra-fine merino. Its principal fibres are Cashmere, Merino wool, Sea Island & long-staple cotton and Silk & silk blends.
Is Gran Sasso a luxury brand?
Gran Sasso sits in the premium tier of this index (roughly $150–$400 for a sweater). Its construction methods include fully-fashioned. It is listed here on the basis of fibre quality, construction and provenance rather than price alone.
How much does Gran Sasso knitwear cost?
Gran Sasso is roughly $150–$400 for a sweater at the time of writing. Core extra-fine merino knitwear retails around $160–240
Sources
- https://www.gransasso.it/
- https://shop.gransasso.it/en/the-history
- https://therake.com/default/stories/gran-sasso
Facts verified against the sources above on 16 September 2026. Prices are indicative and change; check the house's own site.