Crafted from loopwheel knitting machines, a rare and time-honoured technique that is preserved in Wakayama, Japan, the KINTO FUTO Cut and Sew Short Sleeve TCO_1 Knit Top is truly one-of-a-kind.

Traditional loopwheel machines rely on the gentle pull of gravity to slowly knit fabric that is exceptionally comfortable and enduringly supple. To preserve the material's natural character, every T-shirt undergoes a careful series of processes before finally reaching you. It's a timeless piece of clothing, guaranteed to be an everyday staple in your wardrobe.

The Art of Slow Design
Wakayama, famous for its Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, grew into a hub of knit production throughout the early-to-mid 20th century. Many of these factories used loopwheel machines, which overtime have been forfeited for the speed and automation of modern industrial sewing machines.
In the traditional loopwheel method, each machine is suspended from the ceiling, allowing the knitted fabric to fall naturally into baskets placed below. The yarn is never forcibly stretched, instead slowly knitted in a relaxed state, yielding a fabric that is soft, supple, yet highly durable.
While gravity does a lot of the heavy lifting, operating a loopwheel machine still requires years of training and expertise. It's also very inefficient, producing only about a meter of fabric per hour. Despite this, craftspeople in Wakayama still devote their lives to working with this technique, enamoured with the rich texture of its fabric (akin to hand knitting) and its distinctive quality.
The creator of FUTO fabric is one of these admirers, who – in the interest of preserving tradition – sourced all loopwheel machines from across Japan into Wakayama, which remains the only place in the world where this method of fabric production is kept alive.

A design that is simple and beautiful to wear
A compact and neatly styled short-sleeved cut-and-sew top with a simple silhouette. The delicate stitching and the beautiful drape of the fabric enhance its appearance when worn.

Attention to detail
The fine ribbing and carefully finished hem and sleeves create a delicate and elegant impression. This piece is meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail, avoiding an overly casual feel.

Basic colours
The colours are three basic shades: white, black, and grey. The white and black are carefully dyed at a skilled dyeing factory to preserve their texture. The melange grey is knitted using a heathered yarn spun from a blend of white and black cotton, resulting in a deep, nuanced colour that cannot be achieved with a single colour.

Size range
Available in three sizes: 1, 2, and 3. Size 1 corresponds to S, Size 2 to M, and Size 3 to L. It's a unisex design with a relaxed silhouette.