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Highlands Resident Stacy Johnson Launches 3D Knitwear Line

By COCO MERRITT | Intern

When someone hears the words “3D printing,” they might think of 3D printers that project pieces of plastic.

However, in the case of Highlands resident Stacy Johnson’s 3D knitwear collection, the Zero-Waste Knits that are produced are far from manufactured plastic designs.

Stacia, Johnson’s knitwear company, has been making small batch products using recycled materials and fabrics found at dead stock warehouses since 1998, prior to most businesses welcoming eco-friendly conversations.

Her mission to eliminate unwanted stock, use recycled materials and conscious packaging, and design products herself in the United States led to the creation of the world’s first seam-free knitwear that is produced on Shima Seiki’s 3D knitting machines.

Before using the machines, Johnson utilized materials such as wood pulp, seaweed and bamboo fibers to create environmentally friendly clothing.

“I wasn’t using traditional fibers, but I kind of wanted to take it to the next step… getting my production back to the United States so that I don’t have to produce so many sweaters and import them, which is not a very eco-friendly process,” Johnson said to the Palisadian-Post. “I’ve been waiting for a solution and finally, the technology has caught up to what I want to do.”

The Shima Seiki’s 3D knitting machines that Johnson now uses were originally only available in Japan. Wanting to produce only in the U.S., Johnson said it took a while to begin before she found a factory in Brooklyn, New York, that was equipped with the machines and allowed her to work with them to develop the collection.

The process is simple: Once Johnson develops a design, a program is created for that specific sweater style. The design is then programmed into the machine, which in turn knits together the natural fibers and produces the entire sweater in one whole garment.

Stacia’s clothing is now made with 100% Bluesign-certified Italian Merino wool making for warmth and comfort, along with anti-microbial and odor resistant properties.

Stacia also utilizes Ecoviscose yarn for products that have more stretch to them and can be worn all year long. Ecoviscose also meets the Forest Stewardship Council standards, and helps reduce carbon emission and water pollution by up to 50%.

Staying in line with her eco-friendly mission, Johnson only produces what is ordered. After an order is placed on her website, it is sent directly to production for the knitwear order to be made and sent directly to the customer when finished, eliminating any extra hassle and unnecessary use of materials.

“I’m a small business and [slow fashion] is the best way for me to function … not having to deal with inventory and minimums,” she said. “I’m hoping that other companies, big and small, will be able to adopt a similar business model as everyone is buying secondhand … to stay within the slow fashion movement.”

Johnson shared hopes of expanding her categories and woven collections, as well as educating consumers in the process.

“It’s been more of a process for me to educate the consumer that it’s not just another sweater,” she said to the Post. “These sweaters are zero-waste, they don’t have any seams in them and they are made from luxurious yarn in the United States.

“It’s a conscious purchase that they’re making, something that’s luxurious as well as good for the earth.”

For more information, visit shopstacia.com.