About Us

Underwear Specialists

Ktena Knitting Mills – the owners and manufacturers of Merino Skins and Thermo Fleece, is Australia’s leading thermal underwear manufacturer. As underwear specialists for over 40 years, we manufacture only warm under-garments and are thus able to concentrate on improving and extending our product range to meet the demands of our customers.

Vertical Structure

All our garments are manufactured “in-house” beginning from the raw yarn to the packaged product. Skilled technicians design our fabrics and individually set the machinery to produce the required sizing and styles. Garment designers, cutters, sewing and packing staff all work within the same premises to ensure that all departments are at close range and can work together efficiently.

We have established strict quality control measures that occur at the highest level before leaving the premises. Our dedicated and qualified staff work together as a team and have been instrumental in the culmination of our respectable reputation as manufacturers of high-quality garments.

Extensive experience

Ktena supplies many businesses throughout Australia and the world our ever-growing markets include North America, South East Asia, China, Great Britain and many EU members in the European Union.

World Standard Clientele

Ktena Knitting Mills has been supplying some of the most renowned and prestigious retailers and distributors for many decades. Repeat orders from both small and mega-firms has enabled us to develop and maintain our reputation as “the thermal underwear experts” who offer quality and service worldwide.

Woolmark Certified

Woolmark Certified logo
Merino wool logo

All of our garments are 100% Woolmark certified.

The Woolmark logo is a symbol of trust, only Woolmark certified garments are guaranteed authentic after passing rigorous quality control and extensive testing procedures.

Do not trust a brand or product that is not Woolmark certified. Products that are not certified are not independently tested and may claim to be 100% merino but may turn out not be.

There are many companies and products online claiming to be made of merino and of quality, however, unless they have Woolmark certification and carry the Woolmark logo on their label and packaging there is no way of knowing what you’re buying.

Here is an excerpt from Woolmark –

The Woolmark licensing program is a textile quality assurance and product certification scheme that guarantees fibre content and quality to both consumers and the supply chain. Yarns, fabrics and garments are subject to rigorous independent testing to achieve the prestigious Woolmark certification. The logo is not just a brand: products that carry the mark are subject to The Woolmark Company’s quality standards which are backed up by rigorous test methods.

Only trust Woolmark certified garments such as Merino Skins and Thermo Fleece, your guarantee of quality.

Ethical Clothing Australia

ethical clothing Australia

Ktena Knitting are a certified ethical clothing Australia manufacturer.

Ktena is committed to supporting an ethical wool industry and the ECA accreditation that provides consumers and buyers with a simple way to identify and support ethically made Australian TCF products.

Our Knitting Factory

knitting machines in factory
garment maker cutting patterns
worker cutting fabric
working sewing garments
staff packing garments for delivery

Ethical Clothing Statement

Click here to read our Ethical Clothing Policy

Australian Made Certified

Australian Made

All of our garments are 100% Australian made and owned certified.

The famous Australian Made, Australian Grown (AMAG) logo is the true mark of Aussie authenticity. It’s Australia’s most trusted, recognised and widely used country of origin symbol, and is underpinned by a third-party accreditation system, which ensures products that carry the logo are certified as ‘genuinely Australian’.

As a registered certification trademark, the AMAG logo can only be used on products that are registered with Australian Made Campaign Ltd (AMCL), and which meet the criteria set out in the Australian Consumer Law and the AMAG Logo Code of Practice.

For more than 30 years, the AMAG logo has helped thousands of brands communicate their Australian credentials to consumers, businesses and all levels of government. It does this instantly and clearly, making it a powerful sales and marketing asset for authentic Aussie brands, and a helpful shopping aid for consumers around the globe.

Merino & Jumbuck

In 2018 Ktena Knitting Mills purchased the rights to Merino and Jumbuck as a going concern.

A Tour of our Oakleigh Factory and Process

YouTube video

The Tradition Continues

Over 40 Years Experience

Thermo Fleece merino underwear

What our customers are saying ...

You can also read individual product reviews on our product pages.

Ktena Knitting Mills
4.8
Based on 56 reviews
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Flora Chong
Flora Chong
06:32 24 Apr 24
Denise is very kind and generous with her time to wait for me before after their closing time. I dropped by last minute... to pick up some essentials wool wears to brace the cold autumn weather and coming Melbourne’s winter 🥶She kindly assisted me like a helpful mama bear with what I need and desire. Also help me to pick out winter running base and layering. Love the variety they have! There are heaps of second grade items - half price of those items to pick from if you don’t mind mending little holes. Also discovered they make wool base for our police force! I am super happy to have found this family own company, cherry on top with Denise good-old-fashion-personalized-excellent-service!!! Happy customer here as it’s wholesale price!! Thanks and God bless your business!!read more
Susie Q
Susie Q
05:27 12 Apr 24
This shop is amazing! We planned a special trip to Melbourne while we were in Australia just to check it out. They did... not disappoint. Really great quality thermals at reasonable prices. Lots of patience as we looked at everything and tried to find the right size and very friendly. Would highly recommend we almost bought every different item in our size. Come check this out if you’re in need of wool clothes. Top notch!read more
Avi Winner
Avi Winner
10:41 10 Apr 24
I cannot recommend this shop strongly enough. My partner has had mixed luck buying merino thermals online, so we wanted... to buy local from a brick and mortar shop to get a feel for quality before buying. As soon as you touch the thermals, feel the weight, look at the stitching, you can tell it's a cut above.Denise chatted about the brand, which is named after the founder's village in Greece where he came to Australia from. Still the same family business, doing the same thing, decades on. Not chasing trends, not offshoring, just masterfully doing the same merino thermals. She offered to walk us through the factory on site, and showed us how they receive merino yarn, weave it into fabric, and cut and sew it into thermals, all right there in Oakleigh. You could feel the pride in what they do, 100% Aussie made, Aussie wool, good working conditions, fully transparent, great quality stuff.We were only coming to investigate, but my partner left with 5 things and I snagged something for myself too. All great stuff. Note, there is a significant discount for buying at the factory shop, but even the online prices are great value for what you're getting.(Note. I will set a reminder to update this review in one year from today to see how they hold up after a winter of frequent wear. I'm sure they will, based on the workmanship and how they feel, but I will add the one year testimonial in April 2025).read more
Mary Yang
Mary Yang
13:12 08 Apr 24
I took mom and dad to visit Ktena factory outlet, they only wear pure wool thermal underwear. The location of the store... is very convenient whether driving or taking public transportation. Denise is very professional and knowledgeable about the products. We were pleased with Ktena’s high quality, super soft merino thermal fleece, and bought 11 items, absolutely great value for money. I came back to exchange an item which was too small, Denise was so nice, I greatly appreciate her excellent customer service. Highly recommend Ktena Thermal Fleece!!read more
Nick Rose
Nick Rose
23:44 15 Jan 24
I visited the factory shop and was very impressed with help provided and the range of quality merino clothing. I have... used the merino skins T shirts for many years for work as they are a great product, sensibly priced and Australian made.read more
Katie Carter
Katie Carter
23:49 10 Nov 23
Went to the factory outlet, Denise was amazing with her assistance. Great product and great service.. fantastic... Australian made and owned products. Great prices at the outlet. Highly recommended, 5 stars from usread more
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What Our Clients Say
725 reviews