A loopwheeler is a type of circular warping machine that functions similarly to a circular knitting machine, but instead of knitting, it warps the fabric. It features around 1,000 tiny needles that continuously rotate around a cylinder. These needles warp the thread from the bobbin, row by row. In warping, the thread runs vertically, which contrasts with knitting, where the thread runs horizontally.

Typically, the resulting fabric has no side seams, as loopwheelers come in sizes that match various clothing sizes.

Loopwheelers were commonly used in the textile industry until the 1960s, when manufacturers began replacing them with modern machines to boost productivity.

Merz b. Schwanen stays true to this authentic way of manufacturing, operating 32 original loopwheelers in the production side in Albstadt, Germany.

Discover more about the unique manufacturing on loopwheelers here.