Echidna Kids: traceable Merino wool products

Launched earlier this year, Echidna Kids sells a range of knitted blankets, beanies and scarves, with jumpers coming soon.  

The brand takes pride in its approach to production, emphasising a fully traceable process that ensures sustainability and ethical practices every step of the way. The result is premium, high-quality Merino wool garments designed to last a lifetime. 

In its marketing, the brand emphasises the natural and sustainable origin of the superfine Merino wool used in the products – and it can guarantee this because the wool in the products is all sourced from Lachie’s own farm. 

The family is heavily invested in every aspect of farm life, with a commitment to sustainable land practices and optimal care of their sheep, including the provision of multi-species pastures and natural shelters. 

“Echidna Kids is an Australian family-owned business driven by a deep passion for wool and exceptional design. We stand by our promise: delivering products of unparalleled quality while upholding our principles of environmental responsibility.” 
- Lachie Anderson, Echidna Kids 

“Our passion lies in farming and our dedication to improving our farming practices drives us to advance sustainable methods year after year. We continually strive to improve our practices, embrace new methods, and learn from our experiences, all with the goal of producing premium, traceable garments crafted from our superfine Merino wool,” Lachie said. 

“The enterprise revolves around breeding our own sheep to produce wool tailored to our exacting standards. Each fleece undergoes rigorous selection based on criteria such as micron count, staple strength, and fibre consistency, ensuring a soft, itch-free final product.” 

Traceable and responsible production 

Lachie grew up on a farm in Western Victoria before studying Wool and Fibre Marketing at the Melbourne College of Textiles. He has spent the past 30 years owning and managing a design business as well as the farming operation. 

“With Echidna Kids, I wanted to combine my business, design and agricultural skills to produce a truly unique product for children in both Australia and overseas,” he said. 

The Puggle blankets, one of three styles of 100% Merino wool blankets. 

Although the brand’s products were launched in March this year, the production process began almost a year earlier in July when property’s sheep were shorn, and the finest and strongest fleeces selected for the Echidna Kids clothing range.  

In September, the wool began its processing by being scoured at E.P. Robinson in Geelong before then progressing through several further stages of processing until it was delivered to Lachie in December as dyed yarn. The yarn was then knitted into the brand’s products.  

100% Merino wool beanie and scarf. 

“We prioritise local manufacturing to ensure our garments are of the highest quality. They are fully traceable, from careful material selection to the manufacturing process, all produced within Australia,” Lachie said. 

“Our garments are thoughtfully designed, embodying the softness, durability, and numerous benefits of Merino wool. Unlike synthetic alternatives, wool aligns with a circular model of textile production, minimising environmental impact as a biodegradable and renewable resource. 

“Every element of our garments, from thread to labels to buttons, is made from 100% natural materials, reflecting our commitment to sustainability that begins on the farm. We are dedicated to considering the entire lifecycle of our products, from sourcing materials to the end use.” 

More information: 
www.echidnakids.com
www.instagram.com/echidnakids

This article appeared in the December 2024 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.