Knitted for the ones who don't stay small long enough
Every piece from Cicikim is knitted by hand, one at a time. Merino wool from responsible farms. Turkish patterns adapted for Dutch winters. Nothing mass-produced.
What we work with
Every material has a reason. Pick one to understand why.
How a custom order works
From first message to finished piece
You fill in the contact form or send an email. We reply within two working days, usually faster. We ask about the child's age, the occasion, and whether you have a size in mind or need help. No form to navigate — just a normal conversation.
We go through what's available in the yarn we have in stock, or what we can source. We share physical samples by post if you're unsure. Colour choices are discussed via email with photos — no colour matching by screen alone.
Once confirmed, we knit your piece. Standard lead time is four to six weeks, depending on the item. We send a progress update at the halfway point. Rush orders of under two weeks are sometimes possible — ask first.
We ship within the Netherlands and across the EU. Pieces are wrapped in tissue paper and include care instructions. Local pickup in Sneek is also possible. Payment is by bank transfer on invoice before shipment.
Field Notes
Notes on yarn, sizing and the work
Materials
Merino or cotton for a newborn? What actually matters
The answer depends on the season and the baby's skin, not the label on the skein. A practical comparison with no upselling.
Technique
Yarn weight and why it changes everything about a hat
DK versus bulky isn't just a gauge difference. It changes how the piece drapes, washes and holds its shape after a year of use.
Sizing
How to measure a baby for knitwear (and when not to bother)
Standard age labels mean almost nothing in handmade. Here's what we actually look at, and why we always knit a size up for gifts.
Common questions
Things people usually ask before ordering
Yes — we ship across the EU regularly. Belgium, Germany, France, Sweden. Outside the EU is possible but we'll need to discuss customs paperwork first. Shipping costs and lead times vary by destination.
Usually yes, but it depends on what's currently in stock or what we can source. We don't dye our own yarn — we work with small suppliers in the Netherlands and Portugal. If you send us a colour reference, we'll check what's closest and be honest if it's a stretch.
We discuss sizing carefully before starting, and we knit with some growth room built in. If something doesn't fit after a careful measurement discussion, we'll talk about options — sometimes minor adjustments are possible, sometimes we remake. We're a small operation, so this is a conversation, not a policy form.
Merino wool is naturally fine enough to avoid the prickle that coarser wools cause. Our alpaca is lanolin-free, which helps with some wool sensitivities. That said, we're not dermatologists. If your child has a diagnosed allergy, organic cotton is the safer choice and we'll discuss that with you during the order conversation.
Yes, and please mention the date early — lead times are typically four to six weeks and we can't compress a knitting project in the last ten days before a baby shower. Early is better. We've said no to orders we couldn't do well in time, and we'll say so honestly.
A custom hat takes six weeks. A mass-produced one takes six seconds to forget about.
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