Draper Knitting Company

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Draper Knitting Company Draper Knitting is a 160 year old, 6th generation family run knitting company in Canton, MA. Draper offers commission napping on both knit and woven goods.

As a vertical mill, Draper offers all the typical commission services including: non-woven stitch bonding, blending, carding, knitting, stock dye, piece dye, coating, heat setting, napping, dolly washing, padding, inspection and roll up. Draper maintains over 40 knitting machines, knitting an unlimited amount of fabric design options, and offering CAD services, dyeing, and extensive finishing capabilities. The company specializes in knitted high pile fabrics, jerseys, napped fleece, interlock, rib, terry cloth and nonwovens for fashion, performance, industrial and safety applications. Draper Knitting Custom Fabric Design:
With over 50 years of design experience, Draper helps to bring design ideas to life. Using its expertise, along with customer ideas, Draper creates fabrics with aesthetic or performance qualities, designing fabrics to meet its clients’ needs and specifications. Using CAD (computer-aided design), Draper can convert JPEGs into custom designed high pile jacquard fabrics. Draper Knitting Production Capabilities:
High pile sliver knitting, Conventional circular knitting, and Nonwoven stitchbonded fabrics for a variety of products. Other commission services:
Blending/Picking - Whether blending bales of the same fiber, or doing an intimate blend of different fibers in smaller percentages for the ultimate performance quality, Draper has both sample and large production capabilities. Carding – Draper maintains STX card machines for carding both coarse and fine fibers
Fabric NappingFabric Napping
Laminated Pile Fabic
Cut & Sew / Project Management – For customers looking for “whole packages”, Draper can produce the fabric, coordinate lamination, cut-and-sew, and packaging, depending on customer needs. Dyeing – Draper maintains both sample kettles and production kettles, allowing color matching or developing colors for both start-up programs and those that grow into large production orders. Piece-dye capabilities
Stock-dye capabilities
Lab Testing - Although not a certified testing lab, Draper provides ASTM and AATCC tests on fabrics, based on customers’ requests. Draper can "pre-test" fabrics, so customers are assured that a fabric will pass a certified lab test. Napping – Draper can create a range of surface characteristics in circular knit fabrics (both tubular and open width) and sliver knit fabrics. Padding/Finishings/Coatings
Anti-microbial
Anti-pilling
Coating applications in various weights, depending on end-use or specifications
Dolly washing
DWR
FR finishing
Heat-setting
Shearing - Draper can shear many different fibers from wool and polyester to cut-resistant blends containing Nomex®, Kevlar® or Celliant®. Equipped with three complete shear lines, Draper can shear anything, from high-pile paint rollers and buffing pads to very low-pile applications. Shipping – Draper can ship large and small, international or domestic shipments for any size customer anywhere in the world. Shipping includes final inspection, slitting, roll up and shipping. Draper can accommodate different sizes cores, slit various width options, work with multiple rolls, and monitor/record bow and skew of jacquard patterns at roll up.

10/24/2026

Functional Fabric Fair will be held in Portland, OR next week (October 27 & 28, 2026) and we would typically be there.

Having a great crew for our booth reached a tipping point. Draper had to pull out at the last minute due to being overbooked in our business and personal lives. We are so sorry we will miss you! Please reach out…we are still here with our amazing Draper Wool Bar, the organic cottons you love, safety fabrics for personal protection and our passion for solving problems using textiles!

So please, think of Draper, knitting weird sh*t for 170 years! Hope to hear from you soon!
Take care, Bethany, Wendy and Kristin

10/17/2026

Monica went to Morocco! For three weeks, she toured the country with Rita Rita Lazauskas and Texas-based guest artist Sue Benner Sue Benner, who led a workshop along the way. The trip focused on Moroccan culture and visits with different artisans, from tanners to tile makers, weavers, and embroiderers.

The commitment to craft was everywhere, from mosaic tiles that are each HAND CUT from larger tiles (think stained glass but with chisels and tile) to rugs where every tuft is HAND TIED. Watching so many artisans, especially women, make beautiful things never gets old.

Three weeks only scratches the surface, but it got her thinking about Draper. We don’t make everything by hand, but we blend traditional and modern methods to keep textiles alive in the States, and we’re proud of our history and the community it helped shape. It might seem easier to make things overseas, but we lose so much- tradition, jobs, provenance- when we’re disconnected from how the things around us are made. Objects and clothes made with intention stay beautiful even when they’re old and beaten up, because of the care and skill that go into making and preserving them.

Okay, hopping off the soapbox! If you travel, support the artisans you meet, then come home and support your local makers and businesses too. Have a good weekend!

10/09/2026

Bethany tied the knot! Saturday October 3rd, at her cousin’s barn in Pittsfield, NH Bethany married Mike Gottke. The couple was surrounded by family and friends, for a riverside ceremony and homemade brisket with all the fixin’s afterward. The weather was glorious and a good time was had by all. So, if you notice a change to her name in her e-mail signature or voicemail greeting, don’t fret, it is a happy change.

10/03/2026

Happy Friday! This is Monica, a new member of the Draper team. This week, I wanted to share with you snippets from around the mill. I’ve been at Draper for about 3 months and am new to industrial textile manufacturing. It’s so cool to see all the processes I learned in school, scaled up. Above are some mundane but magical moments from around the mill that are very satisfying.

First, we have the silos where we blow in our blended fiber for storage. When it’s ready to be bailed, we rake it into vents around the base of the silo where it gets sucked up and over to the baling machine.

Second, we have where some of our bailed fiber goes. For those familiar with quilting, this machine spits out very thin batting-like wisp. These layers of wisps (not the technical term) get what is the equivalent of light needle-felting, then put into the machine that makes our stitch-bonded non-woven material.

Switching gears to a different department, we have some of our conventional knit fabric getting dyed (think finely knit shirt material of all weights and styles). The machine circles the fabric around in a big loop (the ends are sewn together) to keep it from tangling and to disperse the dye evenly.

Last, once the fabric is done being dyed, we must take it out of the machine. We find the ends and feed the fabric over a revolving bar to pull the soaking-wet fabric out. It can be a soggy ordeal, but boy, is it fun to watch go into the basin.

Draper was saddened by the spectacle at Coe’s New York Fashion Show September 13. The images of members of PETA crashing...
09/27/2026

Draper was saddened by the spectacle at Coe’s New York Fashion Show September 13. The images of members of PETA crashing the show and invading the runway were as disturbing as their rough removal. Their protest was the use of wool. Their claims of animal abuse are not to be dismissed. However, education, not exclusion, is the answer.
First understand sheep have been bred for centuries to grow maximum hair. Because of this, they NEED to be sheered at least once per year as they can no longer regulate the wool on their own. Unsheared sheep will eventually have a host of health issues. That itself would be abuse.
In countries that produce large percentages of the world’s wool, there are, not surprisingly, more reports of abuse. Huge companies that buy enormous quantities of this wool often have no direct information about how this wool is produced. These mega ranches themselves invite inconsistencies just from the size of the operations. I might suggest manufacturing brands start paying closer attention to who their suppliers are.
A quick look at US production of wool will also spotlight a few bad characters who manage to tarnish the images of hardworking, caring ranchers. Even operations carrying independent certifications such as RWS have been accused of abuses, but these appear to be isolated. The Responsible Wool Standard educates, informs and monitors the care and wellbeing of all these animals as well as the workers and the land they are on. This and other organizations may not be perfect, but they are a good start and can be instrumental in exposing farms that violate their standards. And that is how change happens.
Draper is a huge believer in wool. Wool grew to dominate all fabrics in the 1600’s and 1700’s. Today wool is 1%, just 1 percent of the content in the world’s clothing. Thanks to fast fashion, upwards of 88% of our clothing is now synthetic. We know plastics are killing our planet and damaging our health. We need to get back to as many natural fibers as we can get. Banning them is not the answer.
We at Draper wanted our wool to be responsibly sourced so we did our homework. The Shaniko Wool Company provides all the wool for our Wool Bar fabrics. RWS third party audited , they are a co-op of US ranches that support some of the most self-imposed sustainable practices and forward thinking out there. Starting with their own ranch, Jeanne and Dan Carver wanted to introduce wool into the supply chain that they could feel proud of. Currently lead by Jeanne, nine family ranches continue to show true leadership in responsible sheep farming and stewardship of their lands.
As Jeanne continues to promote, teach and work with the Shaniko ranches, we maintain our relationship with Jeanne and have even visited her ranch. This networking and interaction assure us that the amazing wool we are using is also the most responsible.

Let’s not rule out the use of premium, natural, sustainable and responsible material simply because of the bad actions of a few.

BAMBOO: the good, the bad and the ugly. Draper consults with potential customers nearly every day. Bamboo is a comm...
09/19/2026

BAMBOO: the good, the bad and the ugly.

Draper consults with potential customers nearly every day. Bamboo is a common request to which we reply “no, we do not offer bamboo”. This is not because we don’t want to embrace this natural wonder fiber, and it is not because we cannot knit this fiber. It is because we believe only responsibly processed bamboo is safe and natural. This mechanically processed bamboo is referred to as “rare and very expensive” and is guesstimated to exist as only 1-5% of all bamboo processed for textile uses.
So, what about all the “bamboo” garments, towels and sheet sets flooding the market? A whopping 70 to 80% of these are openly chemically processed. Very simply, the bamboo is chipped and boiled with chemicals to soften the fibers. It is then dissolved with carbon disulfide to the point where its cell walls are completely broken down and the remaining pulp, having no remaining properties of bamboo, is now a completely new substance. This goo is called viscose or rayon, a heavily processed plastic. The bamboo is gone. All of the naturally occurring beneficial properties of the bamboo have been erased. The product is now a synthetic and as such, it is extruded into fiber.
The chemicals used to break down the bamboo so totally are described as “toxic” and “caustic”. But more horrifically, up to 80% is still processed in this open loop system, where workers are exposed to this dangerous mix and the byproducts are allowed into the air and waterways. Exposure to the product or its waste can cause neurological, reproductive, sleep, mood and skin disorders in humans. It kills workers. The toll on the environment and animal life are beyond measure.
I digress. Natural bamboo is amazing. It is fast growing, self-regenerating and can produce 30% more oxygen than an equal sized stand of trees. Mechanically sourced bamboo retains all of the fibers’ best qualities: naturally cooling, moisture-wicking, antimicrobial, UV protective, durable and eco-friendly. No wonder everyone wants it! But we need to follow the right road.
Mechanically processed bamboo is crushed and uses natural enzymes to separate and soften the fibers. The end product is called bamboo linen. This fiber is coarse, linen-like, and safe.
There is a third option emerging. Closed loop processing uses non-toxic organic solvents. While not perfect, it is far superior compared to the open loop processes. Ninety-nine percent of the solvents and waste water are captured and reused. This drastically reduces the environmental impact of production. This produces an ultra soft and smooth fiber similar to the bamboo derived rayon. This product is called bamboo lyocell. The bamboo attributes are diminished, but not entirely erased. This process accounts for 10 to 20 % of textile bamboo production, but is gaining popularity as the demand for more sustainable practices grows louder.
Textile labels should be clear. Items can only be called bamboo if they are made directly from actual bamboo fiber. Bamboo or bamboo linen must be mechanically processed. A bamboo/lyocell label must be closed loop, and rayon/viscose cannot claim to be bamboo. Don’t be fooled by words like “bio-derived” or “natural”. The Federal Trade Commission is actively suing brands over how their bamboo is processed versus their labeling claims. The best way to identify between these products is to look for third party certifications. These ensure the processing of this great fiber is up to the safety and environmental standards of each organization. These can include OEKOTEX® Standard 100, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Cradle to Cradle. One very quick tip, if a fabric is silky smooth and is labeled bamboo, it is likely a deception.
Draper looks forward to the day responsibly processed bamboo becomes the norm and not the exception.

I remember September 11, 2001, like it was yesterday. It was 8:46 AM and I was at the dentist. I was in the hygienists ...
09/12/2026

I remember September 11, 2001, like it was yesterday. It was 8:46 AM and I was at the dentist. I was in the hygienists chair when we heard over the sound system that a plane had just crashed into one of the World Trade Center’s twin towers in NYC. I headed back to work and as I pulled into the parking lot, the second tower was hit. Over the next 3 hours, our world changed forever.

My daughter was 5 months old at the time and my son was eight and I thought, oh my, what have I brought them into?

Over the course of that day, we had a TV set up in the break room and everyone stopped by occasionally to get updates. I know every family had a story. My own cousin should have been in that area but was delayed that morning, thank goodness. We were lucky.

Just this year, as in the past 25, more heroes have died from what is believed to be health issues arising from exposure that day and in the aftermath. Everyday heroes who went back into the towers to help others, as well as the NYPD and NYFD professionals bravely doing their jobs. So many paid the ultimate price. They will never be forgotten!

My family had the chance to see the 911 Memorial Museum at the site of the twin towers in NYC, to see and feel the names lost on that day and beyond. My daughter was 16 then and had learned about 9/11 in school but the stories, told by family members, hearing about folks who jumped and hearing answering machines messages from lost loved ones, brought us all to tears.

As we commemorate the 25th Anniversary of 911, we think about the changes that have happened in the world of security and the world in general. After 9/11 the country pulled together and showed our patriotism, our passion and our compassion to each other, something we need a lot more of right now!

Most importantly today, I think we need to take some time to remember the families of these 3,000+ people whos’ relative never came home for dinner that night. They will be missed forever.

We hope you find a meaningful way to acknowledge this horrifically memorable day in history.

#911

Labor Day didn’t mean much to me as a child except a day off from school but not really, we never went back before Labor...
09/07/2026

Labor Day didn’t mean much to me as a child except a day off from school but not really, we never went back before Labor Day! So, what if really meant was that the start of school was impending.

The first time I really focused on Labor Day was a trip to NYC with our daughter and we happened to run into the “Labor Day Parade” in NYC, workers of every union from hotel workers to construction workers, plumbers, electricians and so many more trades that keep all of us running. Draper’s employees are laborers as well, and our fabrics are used by many laborers such as paint rollers, buffing pads, air filtration and of course CIPP, cured in place sewer liners.

So I did a little looking at the history of Labor Day. I found that in the late 1800’s, many workers endured 12 hour days in unsafe conditions. There is some dispute about who gets credit for proposing labor day, but we do know outlined in the first proposal which suggested a street parade the exhibit the “strength, and esprit de corps of trade and labor organizations followed by a festival for recreation and amusement of workers and their families. The first unofficial Labor Day celebration was held on September 5, 1882, with 10,000 workers marching! This became the Labor Day tradition.

So, as we wind down summer with Labor Day celebrations and cookouts, let’s remember those before us who fought for us to work 8 hours a day in safe conditions and make a fair wage for it. Happy Labor Day everyone and especially our own amazing team at Draper Knitting!

Happy International Bacon Day!🥓 As I sit to write this post, I realized as I went through my camera roll to find picture...
08/29/2026

Happy International Bacon Day!🥓

As I sit to write this post, I realized as I went through my camera roll to find pictures of Bacon, that I don’t take many foodie pictures. The two that are posted are bacon apple pie, made by Wendy and a bacon lobster, made by my Dad!

Now that you are salivating, let me tell you a little about International Bacon Day, celebrated on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, a tradition we have embraced, gathering with friends and family on the beach and celebrating the best part of the pig! 🐷

In the early days of celebrating (over 20 years ago) our children and their friends would think of crazy things to make and we encouraged their creativity from chocolate covered bacon drizzled with peanut butter to bacon cakes, cookies, salads, the tiny chicken and waffles make with a tiny Eggo, a chicken nugget from Chick-fil-A and a piece of bacon with maple syrup drizzled on top… the ideas are always creative and then there are the old stand byes like buffalo bacon chicken dip (a fan favorite) and artery hardener bites (club cracker wrapped in bacon, sprinkle with brown sugar and bake until the bacon is cooked) of course bacon straight up.

One of the first years, we really encouraged the kids to make something and Sarah (at 5 yrs old, now graduated from URI) was our groups biggest yet smallest bacon fan and invented, bacon wrapped bacon, we thought it was fantastic, why would you wreck bacon with other ingredients when it is perfect already, her sentiment!

So while the kids are getting ready to go back to school and parents are contemplating their new schedules we encourage you to get creative, purchase your pack of the best part of the pig and enjoy the last real weekend of summer! Happy Bacon Day from the Draper Family to yours!

Photo 1: Candy bacon and eggs, made with white chocolate and yellow M&M’s and bacon made of rolled out Tootsie Rolls!

Photo 2: Bacon Apple Pie, compliments of our own Wendy Barrows!

Photo 3: Bacon cut into lobster shapes, made by my dad the lobsterman!

Meet Monica Metcalf, Draper Knitting’s Product Development Specialist!🧶Tell us about your history in textiles!I grew up ...
08/22/2026

Meet Monica Metcalf, Draper Knitting’s Product Development Specialist!

🧶Tell us about your history in textiles!
I grew up in a very creative household. My mom taught me how to knit and sew when I was little. We went through a lot of hobby phases, like beading, velvet burning, spinning, etc. I’ve also always been a very tactile person. My mom likes to tell the story of when I was a toddler, and she found me with my fist tightly closed. Knowing what kids can get up to, she fought to pry my hand open, only to find a dust bunny. We like to think it’s because I found it so soft and fluffy. It wasn’t until my late 20s that I realized (sillily) that I could actually work in the textile industry. That’s when I went back to school at CCA and got my BFA in Textiles.

🧶How did you start working at Draper?
When I was finishing my degree at CCA in December 2025, I started looking for jobs. I was deciding whether to stay in San Francisco or move back East, closer to my family/where I grew up. While looking on LinkedIn for Textile places in New England, I stumbled across Draper. I sent them an email, and we got to talking, and the rest is history.

🧶What role/roles do you have/have had here?
My title is Product Development Specialist. What that entails is being defined as we go, but so far it’s a lot of troubleshooting, dye testing, and absorbing as much information as I can from everyone here. I’ve gotten to shadow/help at a lot of the positions around the mill, even run the dye house with my boss, Bethany, to dye some wool black since the person who usually does it had to work the shears.

We’re happy to say it turned out the right color, although we did end up making much more of a mess than the usual dyehouse people do. We were made fun of for our bluish hue as we were leaving that afternoon (to the textile people out there, don’t worry, we will be more careful next time not to get so much dye on us). In a past life, I also did some production efficiency training, so once I better understand the processes here, I can help with that. It’s really a bit of everything, and I like it that way. Keeps every day fresh and exciting.

🧶What do you like to do outside of work?
Right now, a lot of my time is going to commuting because I’m staying with family in RI. But I usually like to spend my time hanging out with family, weaving, knitting, playing Ultimate Frisbee, baking, and swimming. I do consider myself a fiber artist, although making my art (and weaving, for that matter) has been put on hold until I find my own place/have the space to unpack all my supplies.

Address

28 Draper Lane
Canton, MA
02021

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 3pm
Tuesday 7am - 3pm
Wednesday 7am - 3pm
Thursday 7am - 3pm
Friday 7am - 3pm

Telephone

+17818280029

Website

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