Pringle of Scotland was started in Hawick in 1815 by Robert Pringle and is among the longest continuously operating clothing companies in the world. It popularised the Argyle pattern and is credited with inventing the twinset. Owned since 2000 by Hong Kong's S.C. Fang & Sons, it prices lambswool jumpers around £175–195 and cashmere around £325.
Key facts
- Founded 1815 in Hawick by Robert Pringle
- Has produced cashmere since 1870
- Designer Otto Weisz, appointed 1934, is credited with the twinset and with popularising the Argyle pattern
- Acquired in 2000 by S.C. Fang & Sons of Hong Kong
Fibres and construction
Pringle of Scotland works principally in Cashmere, Wool, lambswool & Shetland, Merino wool, Sea Island & long-staple cotton, Silk & silk blends. Construction and techniques associated with the house include intarsia and fully-fashioned. It is based in Scotland, a country that is the historic centre of luxury cashmere knitting.
How to judge Pringle of Scotland 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.
- Lambswool and Shetland are coarser than cashmere by design; judge them on density, recovery when stretched, and the mill's finishing rather than on softness in the shop.
- 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
Pringle of Scotland: frequently asked questions
Where is Pringle of Scotland knitwear made?
Pringle of Scotland is based in Hawick, Scotland. Founded 1815 in Hawick by Robert Pringle.
What is Pringle of Scotland known for?
Pringle of Scotland is known for heritage Borders house behind the Argyle jumper and the twinset. Its principal fibres are Cashmere, Wool, lambswool & Shetland, Merino wool, Sea Island & long-staple cotton and Silk & silk blends.
Is Pringle of Scotland a luxury brand?
Pringle of Scotland sits in the premium tier of this index (roughly $150–$400 for a sweater). Its construction methods include intarsia and fully-fashioned. It is listed here on the basis of fibre quality, construction and provenance rather than price alone.
How much does Pringle of Scotland knitwear cost?
Pringle of Scotland is roughly $150–$400 for a sweater at the time of writing. Prices vary by fibre and style.
Sources
Facts verified against the sources above on 16 September 2026. Prices are indicative and change; check the house's own site.